1 Corinthians 13:4-8a describes this type of love. Read this passage and think about what it says. How can you put into practice the things mentioned in this passage? Below is a listing of the various characteristics mentioned in these verses. Write down some ways you can do these things, when you interact with other people. If there are some specific changes you need to make in how you interact (even with just one person), include those changes in your list. Remember that love - if it is genuine - will show itself even to "enemies."
Keep in mind that v. 8 says, "Love never fails." This means that it is an on-going action. We are to love others not only today, but also tomorrow and the day after... forever.
When the passage says that love "is" or "does" certain things, and "isn't" or "does not do" certain other things, what does this mean? Are such statements merely "optional suggestions" that we can choose to follow (or not follow)? Or are they an accurate description of what love really is? If a person does not have these characteristics in his life, what does that mean?
How did God show his love to you? How can God's love be a pattern, or example, for you to follow?
A Focus on "Love for Neighbor"
This worksheet was written to encourage people (such as in a Bible study or youth group) to make personal evaluations of their lives. Since different groups have different needs, you may need to modify some of the questions on the worksheet to fit your own situation.
For some people, the primary focus of "love" involves marriage and romance. Though this may be important (in the proper context), it is but a tiny fragment of the whole concept - and not the primary focus of the Bible. The "love" emphasized in the Bible is a type of love we must have for all people - not just for our spouse. It involves all of life, and even applies to the way we relate to our enemies!
This section is written for use as a "personal" worksheet, so that people can apply each characteristic to specific situations in their own lives. It may be good to first look through this section as a group, and allow people to suggest typical ways of how the various characteristics could be applied. Then the people could as individuals apply the principles to situations in their own lives.
APPLICATION QUESTION: "To what extent are these characteristics present in your life? (etc.)"
Everyone should say that there is room for improvement. None of us are perfect in everything!