Love Therapy - A Little Known Approach to Counselling

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 5:46

Biblical love can be defined as a commitment to give of oneself in every area for the good of another, and it is a giving of this love that can truly be therapeutic in the believer's life. This love can further be separated into four categories: sacrificial, forgiving, emotional, and disciplining. As we examine these categories, we see how deep our call to love is. As we assess love defects and relational continuums, we can gauge our own position and learn how to become more effective love givers.

Ministry Houses - Building Loving Communties

Kate Mizelle

1 Corinthians 9:26

Many college-aged and young single people in Xenos choose to live in community with one another in ministry houses. These houses hold high standards and prioritize fellowship, discipleship, and spiritual growth. They also help facilitate an environment in which committed followers of Christ can prioritize a lifestyle of love as is described in the New Testament.

Taking the Measure of New Testament Love

Dennis McCallum

Acts 2:42-47

The New Testament teaches believers to love one another, but how much love should we give is sometimes confusing. By looking at insights that are emphasized in the New Testament, we can see how much love one should give. These sources show that one should love in a way that is: 1) visible to non-Christian observers, 2) growing a sense of belonging in community, 3) building significant trust, and 4) committed to each other's character development.

Fighting for Friendship - Practical Wisdom for Building and Maintaining Friendships

Conrad Hilario

Proverbs 18:24

Due to the superficial level of friendship in our culture today, we are seeing drastic levels of loneliness. People don't put an emphasis on friendships because of many modern challenges, including technology. There are many qualities that we find in scripture that help guide us to successful friendships. We find that good friends speak honestly, give wise counsel, have relational awareness, and don't influence others to sin. We can look to David and Jonathan's relationship as an example on how to strive towards close friendships.

Spiritual Maturity and Modeling

Gary DeLashmutt

Philippians 2:19-30

Timothy and Epaphroditus are godly models, whom Paul urges the Philippians (and us) to observe and follow, and to model to others in four specific features of godly character: 1) genuine concern for other Christians' spiritual welfare; 2) service in furthering the gospel; 3) serving with other teammates; 4) sacrifice to help other Christian workers and ministries.

Real Love for Others

Ryan Lowery

Romans 12:9-21

Perhaps the biggest priority for Christians is to display real, authentic love towards others. This type of love is dynamic and can call us to be initiative, committed and forward-focused. Having a lifestyle like this allows for God to be seen more clearly through our lives and relationships.

Community

Ryan Lowery

1 Corinthians 12:12-20

God's design for us to grow with Him is within the context of interdependent relationships within a community of Christians that are committed to loving and serving one another for the good of others. As such, we cannot have intimacy with others while being autonomous. Community thrives when members are looking to use the gifts God has given them to contribute to the needs of others.

Joy and Christ-Centered Relationships

Gary DeLashmutt

Philippians 1:1-8

Christ-centered relationships are a source of joy in the Christian life. Four features characterize Paul's Christ-centered relationships: 1) Partnering in sharing Christ's love with others; 2) Believing in God's commitment to transform our lives; 3) Expressing appreciation to God & the other person.

Being Perfected in God's Love (Part 2)

Gary DeLashmutt

1 John 4:7-19

God's will for Christians is to learn how to receive God's love for themselves and to freely give it to others, and He promises to train Christians on how to love others the way that He has loved them. God's training uses five different methods: 1) Biblical instruction; 2) the Spirit's personal promptings; 3) positive and negative role models; 4) difficult people; and 5) rewards of personal fulfillment and happiness. When Christians choose to commit to God's training program in love, they will experience Him meeting their needs personally.