What should God’s love for despicable people teach us about how we should seek to relate to them, as well?

 

If God loves everyone, including those we might consider despicable, it invites us to reflect on the nature of love itself and how it should shape our attitudes and actions toward others.  This question touches on a profound aspect of divine love and its implications for human relationships.

Love is Unconditional

God’s love for all people is not based on merit, goodness, or perfection but is given freely. This teaches us that our love for others should not be contingent on their behavior or character. While we may not approve of their actions, we are called to recognize their inherent worth as human beings.

Compassion Over Judgment

If God can love even the most flawed individuals, we are reminded to resist the urge to judge others harshly. Instead, we are encouraged to approach others with compassion, seeking to understand their struggles, pain, and motivations, even if we find their actions reprehensible.

Hope for Transformation

God’s love often serves as the catalyst for transformation. By extending love and kindness to difficult people, we acknowledge the possibility of their growth and change. This doesn't mean excusing harmful behavior but believing in the potential for redemption.

Humility in Self-Reflection

Recognizing that we all fall short in various ways helps foster humility. Just as God loves us despite our own imperfections, we are reminded to extend grace to others, aware of our shared humanity and need for mercy.

Boundaries and Justice

While God’s love is limitless, it doesn’t negate justice or the need for accountability. Loving others doesn’t mean enabling destructive behavior or ignoring harm. Instead, it involves seeking their highest good, which may include helping them face the consequences of their actions.

A Call to Forgiveness

God’s love for everyone challenges us to forgive, even when it’s difficult. Forgiveness doesn’t imply condoning wrongs but releasing bitterness and striving for reconciliation where possible.

Be an Instrument of God’s Love

We are often the means through which God’s love reaches others. By treating all people—even those we find despicable—with dignity and respect, we reflect God’s love in a tangible way, showing them that they, too, are valued.

In practical terms, this might mean praying for those who have wronged us, offering kindness where it’s unexpected, or advocating for justice while holding onto love. Loving the unlovable is one of the hardest challenges we face, but it’s also one of the most profound ways to grow spiritually and contribute to a more compassionate world.

10 engaging and family-friendly Sabbath afternoon activities to keep everyone entertained and create meaningful connections

 Here are 10 engaging and family-friendly Sabbath afternoon activities to keep everyone entertained and create meaningful connections.

Nature Walks and Scavenger Hunts  

 Take a leisurely walk in a park, forest, or beach.  

 Make it exciting with a nature scavenger hunt where kids look for specific items like pinecones, flowers, or unique rocks.  

Bible Story Reenactments  

 Act out favorite Bible stories as a family.  

 Use simple props or costumes to make it fun and engaging for kids.  

Gratitude Journaling  

 Spend time reflecting on the week by writing things you’re grateful for.  

 Let kids draw pictures or write about what they’re thankful for.  

Family Picnic  

 Pack simple, healthy snacks and enjoy a picnic outdoors.  

 Incorporate storytelling, singing, or reading devotional material during the meal.  

Sabbath Crafts  

 Engage in creative activities like making greeting cards, painting nature scenes, or creating Bible verse art.  

Community Service  

 Visit an elderly neighbor, deliver homemade treats, or clean up a local park.  

 Teach kids about giving back while enjoying family time.  

Nature Observation and Reflection  

 Bring binoculars for birdwatching or simply sit quietly to observe and appreciate nature.  

 Discuss God’s creation and its wonders.  

Family Devotion Time  

 Read a Bible story together, discuss its lessons, and sing hymns or songs.  

 Let kids lead parts of the devotion to make it interactive.  

Storytime with a Twist  

 Share favorite Bible stories or parables, then create a modern version as a family.  

 Encourage kids to add their own creative twists.  

Outdoor Games with a Faith Twist  

   - Play simple games like tag, hide-and-seek, or relay races.  

   - Add a spiritual element, like answering Bible questions to earn turns.  

These activities are perfect for quality family bonding while honoring the spirit of Sabbath rest and reflection.

Sabbath School Lesson 2: Covenantal Love

God's Love and Justice

Sabbath School Lesson 2

Covenental Love

You may use this for presenting and studying the current Sabbath School Lesson.

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> Download the notes for Lesson 2 video here.

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> Download 1st Quarter 2025 Lessons: God's Love and Justice

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What “deeds of holiness” might reveal God’s love to those around us?

 

Revealing God’s love through deeds of holiness involves actions that reflect kindness, selflessness, and compassion, mirroring the divine love we speak of. Here are some "deeds of holiness" that can help reveal God’s love to those around us.

Acts of Compassion  

Visiting the sick or comforting those who are grieving.  

Offering help to someone in need, such as providing food, clothing, or shelter.  

Forgiveness and Reconciliation  

Extending forgiveness to those who have wronged us.  

Working to heal broken relationships and promote peace.  

Generosity  

Sharing resources, time, or talents with those less fortunate.  

Supporting charitable causes or missions that align with God’s love.  

Serving Others  

Volunteering at community centers, shelters, or churches.  

Helping neighbors with tasks or errands, especially the elderly or disabled.  

Encouragement and Support  

Offering kind words or prayers to uplift someone going through a difficult time.  

Mentoring or guiding others in their faith or personal growth.  

Living with Integrity  

Demonstrating honesty and fairness in all dealings.  

Being a person others can trust and rely on.  

Advocating for Justice  

Standing up for the oppressed and marginalized.  

Promoting fairness and equality in communities and institutions.  

Practicing Patience and Understanding  

Listening without judgment and showing empathy.  

Responding to conflict with gentleness and wisdom.  

Sharing the Gospel  

Speaking about God’s love in ways that invite others to experience it.  

Living in such a way that others are drawn to Christ through your example.  

Cultivating Joy and Gratitude  

Being a source of positivity and hope in the lives of others.  

Demonstrating thankfulness in all circumstances, pointing others to God’s provision.  

When these deeds are done with a sincere heart, they become a living testament to God’s love, inviting others to experience that love in tangible ways.

More: Lesson 1 God Loves Freely

John 17:24 and God's Love for the World

 

John 17:24 says:

"Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world." (ESV)

This verse reveals profound truths about God's love before the world existed.

Eternal Love Within the Trinity

Jesus highlights the love the Father had for Him "before the foundation of the world." This points to the eternal relationship of love between the Father and the Son, emphasizing the perfect unity and mutual affection within the Trinity that existed before creation.

Love as the Foundation of Creation

God's love predates everything and is foundational to all existence. It suggests that creation itself was an outpouring of the love and glory shared within the Godhead.

God’s Love for His People

Although this verse focuses on the love between the Father and the Son, it also implies that God’s love extends to His people through Jesus. The desire expressed by Jesus for believers to be with Him and to witness His glory is rooted in that same eternal love.

John 17:24 teaches us that God's love is eternal, intrinsic to His nature, and the source of the relationships and purposes revealed in creation and redemption. It invites believers to marvel at the depth and constancy of God’s love, which has always been and always will be.

More: Lesson 1 God Loves Freely

God’s steadfast love for His people - Hosea 14:1-4

 

Hosea 14:1–4 is a powerful passage that reveals God's steadfast love, mercy, and willingness to forgive His people, even when they have strayed.

Hosea 14:1–4 (ESV)

1. Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.

2. Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.”

3. Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses, and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.”

4. I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.

In verse 1, God calls Israel to return to Him, acknowledging their sin but also opening the door to restoration. This demonstrates His persistent desire for reconciliation, even when His people have fallen into sin.

God instructs the people to come with words of repentance (v. 2), signifying that He values a genuine heart over empty rituals. His willingness to "take away all iniquity" highlights His forgiving nature.

Verse 3 emphasizes the people's acknowledgment that neither political alliances (Assyria) nor self-reliance ("work of our hands") can save them. This reflects God’s steadfast love as a call to trust solely in Him as the true source of mercy and salvation.

In verse 4, God promises to heal their apostasy and love them "freely." This reveals the depth of His grace, as His love is not dependent on their actions but is freely given out of His character.

These verses show that God’s love is unshaken by human failure. He constantly seeks to restore and heal, even when His people have turned away.

The mention of orphans finding mercy in God (v. 3) illustrates His compassion for the weak and marginalized, further reflecting His unwavering care.

God’s promise to turn away His anger and to heal underscores the hope of restoration and transformation for those who repent.

Hosea 14:1–4 reveals God's steadfast love as persistent, forgiving, merciful, and unconditionally restorative. His heart is always open to His people, no matter how far they have strayed, as long as they turn back to Him with humility and repentance.

More: Lesson 1 God Loves Freely

What does Exodus 33:19 Reveal about God's Will and Love?

 Exodus 33:19 (NIV)

"And the Lord said, 'I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.'"

 What This Verse Reveals About God's Will

The verse highlights that God’s will is sovereign and independent. He chooses to show mercy and compassion based on His divine wisdom and purpose, not based on human merit or action. This emphasizes that God's will operates according to His overarching plan, which is beyond human understanding.

By stating that His "goodness" will pass in front of Moses, God reveals that His will is inherently good. Even when we cannot fully comprehend it, everything He does stems from His perfect nature.

God proclaiming His name ("the Lord") underscores His authority over all creation. His will is not constrained or influenced by external forces, and His decisions are rooted in His divine character.

 What This Verse Reveals About God's Love

The mention of mercy and compassion reflects God's loving nature. These attributes show that He cares deeply for humanity and acts out of love, even when it is undeserved. This reinforces the truth that His love is unconditional.

God’s interaction with Moses in this verse demonstrates His desire for a personal relationship with His people. By revealing His nature and character to Moses, God shows that His love involves making Himself known to those who seek Him.

Mercy and compassion are integral to God’s grace. They reveal a love that forgives, restores, and provides, even when individuals fall short. God’s love is not earned but freely given to those He chooses, emphasizing His gracious nature.

Exodus 33:19 reveals that God’s will is sovereign and good, and His love is expressed through mercy and compassion. This verse invites believers to trust in God's perfect nature and rest in the assurance of His steadfast love, even when His ways are beyond human understanding.

More: Lesson 1 God Loves Freely