Love In Action

Unit I: Acts of Love by Jesus

January Sunday School Lessons – Union Gospel Press

Overseer Regina Ravenell-Carr  

             Jan. 5:   Calling Sinners to Repentance – Mark 2:13-17

  Jan, 12:  Jesus Seeks Out Zacchaeus – Luke 19:1-10

                         Jan. 19:  Healing Ten Lepers – Luke 17:11-19

                         Jan. 26:  Jesus Restores Peter to Service – John 21:15-25

                         Feb. 2:   Healing a Man Born Blind – John 9:1-17

The Bible defines love as a way of relating to others that involves putting their needs before one’s own. It’s a deeper concept than a feeling of affection, and is described in the Bible as a combination of actions and attitudes. This month we will witness “Acts of Love by Jesus,” as He engages with others.  The greatest gift we have as believers is to show acts of love to others. Love does cover a multitude of sin and can draw unbelievers to Christ.

In the first lesson, we find Jesus on his missionary journey. After teaching the crowds, He passed by Levi, also known as Mattew, and said, “Follow Me.”  Many were shocked that Jesus invited him to fellowship, since he was a tax collector.  The lesson is that Jesus is always on His assignment of “Calling Sinners to Repentance!” He says ‘They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous but the sinners to repentance (v.17). His love covers a multitude of sin.

Question: What kinds of people today would be thought of in a similar manner to the tax collectors of Jesus’ day?

  Out Zacchaeus,” to come down and fellowship with Him. Zacchaeus made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully (v.6).  He immediately repented and promise to repay all that he had stolen from the people.  Zacchaeus experienced pure joy once he was recognized and requested by the Christ. Jesus recognized Zacchaeus needs, the same way He recognizes our needs for Him. He mission is to seek and save that which was lost. His love is unconditional.

Question: How did Jesus’ encounter with this man fulfill His purpose?

Next, Jesus passes through Samaria and Galilee, on His way to Jerusalem. As He entered a certain village, we witness Jesus “Healing Ten Lepers.” The men saw Him and cried for mercy. Once Jesus saw the men, he said, ‘Go, shew yourself unto the priests!’ The men went their way and were cleansed. One of them turned back to glorify God. Jesus asked for the other nine, who did not return to Him? He said to the one, ‘Thy faith hath made thee whole. The leper’s actions are met with Jesus’ love for those that believe.

Question: What was the ultimate result of the faith of the one leper?

In the fourth lesson, Jesus is at the end of his earthly ministry. We find Him breaking bread with the disciples. He then asked Simon Peter, ‘Do you love me?’ Jesus asked Peter this question three test.  Moreover, He calls him by his government name, Simon, son of Jonas! Peter’s challenge is, “Follow Me!” Jesus Restores Peter to Service,” after having denied Him three times. The charge was for Peter to follow Christ relentlessly, unto death. Peter was to “Feed my Sheep!”  The love that Jesus showed to Peter, he must now show to others.

Question: What was Jesus emphasizing in His question about Peter’s love for Him?

Finally, we see Jesus in action by “Healing a Man Born Blind.” While passing through, Jesus sees a blind man. The disciples asked, “Who did sin, this man or his parents?” Most of us are pointing fingers at others, to blame for our circumstances.  Jesus answered, ‘Neither hath sinned, but that the works of God should be made manifest in him (3). Jesus was a man of action; therefore, He spat on the ground to make clay; and anointed the man’s eyes. Jesus said, ‘as long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world. The man received his sight.

Question: What conclusion did the healed man draw about Jesus? What conclusion will you draw?