Bible Reading1 Corinthians 13:1-13 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
[59:56]Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
[01:21:53]Isaiah 6:1-5 “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”
[01:24:49]John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
[01:04:14]Mark 12:30-31 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
[01:04:31]Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
[01:31:12]Observation questions- In 1 Corinthians 13, what strong words does Paul use to describe speech, knowledge, faith, giving, and sacrifice when charity is missing?
- What are some of the specific marks of charity listed in 1 Corinthians 13 that go beyond just having warm feelings?
- In Isaiah 6, what changed between “woe unto them” and “woe is me”? [01:25:38]
- What are some concrete examples of loveless Christianity that show up in ordinary life—at home, in church, or in the way people treat weaker believers and visitors? [01:14:51]
Interpretation questions- If Paul says a person can have faith, knowledge, sacrifice, and still be “nothing” without charity, what does that reveal about how God measures spiritual maturity? [01:02:39]
- Jesus says disciples are known by love for one another. Why does love identify a Christian more clearly than church attendance, Bible knowledge, or outward standards? [01:03:33]
- Galatians 6:1 tells spiritual people to restore the fallen in meekness. What does that suggest about the difference between true spirituality and prideful distance? [01:21:47]
- Isaiah’s vision of the Lord led him to humility about his own uncleanness. Why does a right view of God tend to soften a harsh spirit toward other people? [01:26:04]
Application questions- Where is Christianity loud right now but love quiet—at home, in marriage, with children, with parents, or in private conversations? What would it look like for patience, kindness, and tenderness to show up there first? [01:08:33]
- Is church attendance being shaped more by love for God or by duty, habit, appearance, or fear of what others may think? How can worship become more personal and sincere again? [01:10:57]
- Are there people who feel easy to avoid because they seem immature, awkward, rough around the edges, or unlike the usual circle? What would love do the next time one of those people walks into the room? [01:16:05]
- When hearing about someone who has fallen or drifted, is the first response more like criticism, curiosity, or withdrawal? What would restoration in meekness look like in one real situation? [01:22:01]
- Pride often hides behind apathy. Who has been noticed from a distance but not actually helped, encouraged, or prayed for? What is one simple step that could be taken this week? [01:19:19]
- Love usually does not happen by accident. Would it help to choose two or three people this week and show them deliberate kindness, attention, or compassion? What might that look like in practice? [01:29:45]
- Who is hardest to love right now—someone hurting, someone absent, someone difficult, or someone who has caused pain? What would it mean not just to say “trust God,” but to actually weep with them that weep or stay near when love costs something? [01:31:12]
