Trinity Series - Small Group Notes #11

All of God:
Exploring the Mystery of the Trinity
Loving God, Loving the Body – Applications from the Trinity
Week of May 10, 2009


Ø Love originates within the Trinity and flows to us. (John 15:9; 17:22-26) We, in turn, love God and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Read 1 John 4:7-21 and discuss the connection between God’s love for us and our responsibility to love one another.

Ø Over and over in the New Testament, love is singled out as the highest Christian virtue. Discuss the implications of the following verses: 1 Corinthians 13:13; Colossians 3:14; Galatians 5:22-23 (where love is the first and possible primary fruit of the Spirit); and 1 Peter 4:8.

Ø There is great diversity within the Trinity, yet there is perfect unity. Because of the love and unity that exists between the Father, Son, and Spirit, everything that needs to be accomplished is accomplished. The differences that God has built into the body of Christ are sometimes causes for frustration because of the flesh and the negative influence of our enemy, Satan. Look at Ephesians 4:1-16 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-26. Discuss the need for every single person in the body and also the temptation to look down on others or ourselves because of our differences.

In Ephesians 4, notice the significance of “one” at the beginning of the chapter, the importance of teachers in the body, and the need for every single person to function as God has designed him or her (v 16) for the health and growth of the whole body.

In 1 Corinthians 12, notice the feelings of inferiority and superiority that are detrimental to the wellbeing of the body. In all of the discussion we need to remember the diversity within unity that exists in the Trinity.