Every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you…either into a heavenly creature or into a hellish creature.” C.S. Lewis

 

Introduction
Read through Luke 10:25-37. As you read ask these four simple questions to discover the how to apply the biblical principles to your life.

What do we learn about God?
What do we learn about man?
Is there an example to follow?
Is there a command to obey?

Step 1: Understanding Love
Words mean nothing without LOVE (vs1). PROPHESY, UNDERSTANDING,KNOWLEDGE, and FAITH mean nothing without love (vs2). CompleteSACRIFICE, even death, means nothing without love (vs3). Love is… (vs 4-12). Faith, Hope, and Love remain, but LOVE is the greatest. (vs13)
1 Corinthians 13: 1-13

How can love help you to become a better Christian influence?

Step 2: Finding Your First Love
Love the Lord Your God with ALL your HEART, with all your MIND, and with all your SOUL this is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it. Love your NEIGHBOR as yourself. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments. Matthew 22: 37-40

What do you need to let go of to experience all of God’s love?

Step 3: Loving Others
You are most effective at impacting YOU, YOUR FAMILY, and YOUR FRIENDS. If God intends on expanding your ministry (spiritual influence) you must first be effective in these three areas. If you desire to expand your spiritual influence you must be willing to LOVE.

What people could you better love?

Therefore GO and MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations BAPTIZING them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and TEACHING THEM to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

How are you “loving” that encourages people be disciples?

Application:
Relationships are the most precious commodity we’ve been given. Your practical challenge is to prayerfully commit to “being” 5 Christlike things (commitments) for a person, and ask for 5 things that person would like you to be (action steps) for them.

Commitments & Actions (tips and tricks)

  1. Commitments – what I will be for others.
  2. Actions – what others want me to be for them.
  3. Repeat this activity for as many people as you desire.
  4. Remember to start this activity with the people that are closest to you (i.e. your spouse, children, even God) then move to those that are not in your closest circle of influence. (i.e. friends, co-workers, pastors, teachers).
  5. Commit this to God, prayer, and the person you address.
  6. Continually refer back to the scripture above to make sure your focus honors God.
  7. For a practical worksheet to help you “work through” these concepts go tochadspriggs.com and follow the links at the top of the page to resources and download the file titled “My Commitments and Action Steps”