Lesson 4
Studying as a Berean, the lessons we can derive from John 3:16 are wide ranging, not limited to the love of God, or his love for us. The lessons contained within this verse can be captured if we cast our net wide. An example is the love and obedience Jesus had for his father. That love is also displayed to us, as he willingly sacrificed himself to save us. Jesus explained his love like this.
John 10:7-18 New King James Version. Jesus the Good Shepherd
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
How do you display love towards others? What actions are there in your life that reflect the love God has shown towards you? Take a moment to think about some of the things you do to show love to those around you and make note of them.