编者按
这是一套在美国很受欢迎的教材，按年龄共分三部分：0-6岁学龄前儿童教程，6-12岁学龄儿童教程，和12岁以上青少年教程。我们将陆续翻译成中文，分享给大家。
这套教材里的每一篇，无论是教程还是各种活动，都独立成篇，没有先后顺序，大家可以按需要和负担选择使用。
*更多内容：thedoorofsheep.com/青少年 课程目的
概述约翰一书
帮助学生明白爱是来自神的，因为神就是爱
鼓励学生过充满爱的生活
主题
关心、团体、同情、感情、交通/团契、友情、爱、人际关系、牺牲
背诵经文
约翰一书 4:7
开始祷告(5-10分钟)
团队建造(5分钟)
听到“爱”这个词并不少见。事实上，在我们的文化中，这可能是使用最多的一个词。然而，世人的定义通常与神的定义不同。在我们开始读今天的经文之前，我们需要定义“爱”这个词。
（将学生分成4-5人一组。每组写下所有他们知道的包含“爱”这个词的歌曲。然后，写下根据这些歌曲得出的世人的爱的定义。可以用手机来完成。）
一般讨论：
• 你们小组列举了哪些歌曲？
• 根据这些歌曲，“爱”的定义是什么？
音乐中的一个流行主题是“你所需要的只是爱。”有趣的是，尽管许多艺术家可能会认同这种说法，但很少有人真正知道“爱”是什么。他们会说爱是与男孩或女孩的关系，爱是一种感觉，但我们知道爱只能在神那里找到。约翰一书告诉我们“神就是爱”。也许更好的方式是说“你所需要的只是神。”
在继续之前，让我们先为三件事祷告：
• 为得到智慧祷告
• 为在真理中被扶持祷告
• 为我们的罪得赦免祷告
（让学生祷告。）
课堂起头(10分钟)
神的爱的定义是什么？哥林多前书13章为爱提供了一个良好的框架。
（大声朗读这一章，让每个人喊出定义“爱”的词。）
它与世人的定义有什么不同？世人通常以一种自私的方式看待爱，但真正的爱不会说：“这对我有什么好处？”
以下是一些爱“不是”的例子。
• 如果你是出于内疚而服事，那就不是爱。
• 如果你是因为希望有人注意你而自愿做义工，那就不是爱。
• 如果你只是想在他人眼中有个更好的形象，那就不是爱。
神以许多方式向我们显露了祂的爱。今天我们要感谢祂在我们生活中所做的一切。让我们花几分钟的时间感谢神，感谢祂以各种方式向我们显露了爱。
如果有帮助的话，每个人都可以在祷告开始时说：“神，我感谢您__________。”
（鼓励每个人以短小的1-2句话进行祷告。）
深入学习(30分钟)
约翰一书第四章的主题是神的爱。这段经文描述了神的本性和特点，将神与所有其他宗教和虚假神明区分开来。约翰两次宣告神就是爱（第8节和第16节）。根据圣经所揭示的，唯一真正的神并不是一个与人类和创造物隔绝的神，也不是一个残忍反复无常的神。神就是爱。祂的爱以丰富的方式展现出来，其中但最令人震撼的方式是，在耶稣基督的受难中看到了神的爱。
读 约翰一书4:7-12
这段经文中，作者将神与爱联系在一起。约翰说：“凡爱弟兄的，都是从神生的，并且认识神。不爱弟兄的，未曾认识神，因为神就是爱。”
问题讨论：
1.神如何亲自向你显露爱？（允许讨论。）
2.神如何向你周围的世界显露爱？（允许讨论。）
3.这段经文如何表明爱已经向你显露？（第10节）
++++++++
真爱的例子：
在英国伦敦的圣保罗大教堂里，有一个真人大小的基督雕像。大理石雕像展示了耶稣在十字架上痛苦呻吟。下面刻着一段铭文：“这就是神爱世人的方式。”想一想，神是如此爱世人，以至祂会让自己的儿子为他们而死。
问题讨论：
1.世人配得这种爱吗？（允许讨论。）
2.人们是否理解这种爱？（允许讨论。）
3.人们可能不理解神是爱的原因是什么？（允许讨论。）
+++++++++
应用(10分钟)
读 罗马书5:6-8
这表明神的爱是我们不配得的。即使情绪很差，日子很糟糕，我们也可以记起耶稣为我们而死了。值得注意的是，这段经文中，说的是“神是爱”，而不是说：“如果你追求爱，那么你会找到神。” 相反的说法才是对的，因为神就是爱：“如果你追求神，你就会找到爱。” 神就是爱。
你知道这也是基督教与其他宗教不同的地方吗？其他宗教可能会同意神是全能的、全知的，是创造者、神圣的。但我们有一个独特的信仰，因为我们知道神也是爱。这使我们与其他人不同。在其他地方，你无法与神有亲密的关系。神为我们而牺牲。
问题讨论：
1.有多少人愿意为一个义人而死？（非常少）
2.如果有人愿意为一个义人而死是很少见的，那么有多少人愿意为一个不义之人而死？（允许讨论。）
3.神如何向我们展示祂的爱？（在我们还作罪人的时候，基督为我们死了。）
再读 罗马书5:6-8
（花些时间默想这些经文。然后再次带学生祷告。在这个过程中，要他们回想一下他们与神远离的那些时候。他们做了什么？他们感觉如何？是他们觉得不值得被爱的时候吗？学生是否意识到，这正是罗马书所讨论的内容，在罪中正是我们软弱的时候。带他们感恩地祷告：“耶稣，谢谢你为我而死，向我展示了神的爱。”）
读 约翰一书4:13-21
问题讨论：
1.神要住在我们里面，我们也要住在神里面，需要什么条件？（我们必须承认耶稣是神的儿子。）
2.我们为什么能够爱？（我们之所以能够爱，是因为神先爱了我们。）
3.神在这些经文中对我们关于爱的命令是什么？（如果我们爱神，我们也应该爱弟兄姊妹。）
4.哪个更难，爱神还是爱周围的人？为什么？（允许讨论。）
再读 约翰一书4:19
这是福音的信息，用一句话来说，神先爱了我们。这是最好的好消息。是神主动拯救人类的。我们没有主动努力请求神拯救我们。在这段经文中（第10节和第19节），我们两次得知，我们能够爱神的唯一原因是祂先爱了我们，祂通过降临并为我们而死来向我们显露那份爱。人类自己并不爱神，直到我们看到了神的爱。这意味着我们的爱是对神爱的回应。神的爱推动我们爱祂以及他人。
注意，这部分并不仅仅是对神的爱的回应。作为跟随者，我们还被呼召去爱其他人。使徒约翰一再写道，我们对神的爱以及我们对他人的爱是直接相连的。
我们对他人的爱表现在我们如何舍己。以下是一些帮助我们思考的问题。
一般讨论：
• 你为某个人做过最大的牺牲是什么？
• 为什么你会做出那种牺牲？
• 你称之为爱吗？那个人值得吗？
神对我们的爱是祂主动发起的。以下是一些引导我们爱他人的问题。
一般讨论：
• 你生活中有哪些人不知道自己被爱着？
• 你可以用什么方式告诉他们？
• 你最难爱的是哪类人？
• 为了一个不爱你的人，你会怎样舍己？
结束祷告(2分钟)
我们很容易在教会里与神相联结，却会忽视那些我们不愿意与之交谈的人。如果这段经文真正在塑造我们，那么我们需要向神祈求一个爱他人的心，特别是那些外表或行为与我们不同的人。
在这段时间里，我们将花几分钟时间请求神改变我们对他人的心。
不仅仅是祷告，要付诸实践。无论神将哪个人放在你心上，去与那个人和解。
**** 英文版 *******
1 John Lesson 4: All You Need is God LESSON OBJECTIVES Goals 1. To give students an overview of the New Testament book of 1 John 2. To help students know that love is from God because God is love 3. To encourage students to live a life of love
Topics Caring, Community, Compassion, Feelings, Fellowship, Friendship, Love, Relationships, Sacrifice
Scripture Memorization 1 John 4:7 OPENING PRAYER (5 to 10 minutes) GROUP BUILDING (5 minutes) It is not uncommon to hear the word "love." In fact, it may be the most overused word in our culture. However, the world’s definition is often different from God’s definition. Before we dive into the scripture today, we need to define the word "love."
(For this activity, split students into groups of 4-5. Each group will write down all the songs they know that have the word "love" in them. They will then write down what the world’s definition is according to these songs. You can encourage the use of cell phones or other mobile devices for this activity.)
General Discussion: • What songs did your group come up with? • What is the definition of love, according to these songs?
A popular theme throughout music is "All you need is love." It’s interesting to note that although many artists would resonate with this statement, very few actually know what "love" is. They will say that love is sex. They will say that love is a relationship with a boy or girl. They will say that love is a feeling, but we know that love is only found in God. 1 John tells us "God is love." Maybe a better way of approaching this musical theme would be to say, "All you need is God." GETTING STARTED (10 minutes) What is God’s definition of love? 1 Corinthians 13 gives a good framework for love. (Read this chapter aloud and let everyone call out words that define “love.”)
How is it different from the world’s definition? The world often views love in a self-serving and selfish way, but true love does not say, "What’s in it for me?"
Here are a few examples of what love IS NOT.
• It’s not love if the only reason you’re serving is out of guilt.
• It’s not love if you’re volunteering so someone else will notice you.
• It’s not love if you’re trying to better yourself in someone else’s eyes by your actions.
(NOTE: Today we’re going to pray throughout the entire lesson and focus on a more spontaneous nature. As a leader, you will need to look for any and every opportunity to pray. This means that if someone has a need, and they mention it, then you will drop everything you are doing to lead the group in prayer by saying, "let’s pray." Please start by thanking God for His love.)
God has shown His love for us in many ways. Today we want to thank Him for everything He has done in our lives. Let’s spend the next few minutes thanking God for all the ways He has shown us love.
If it’s helpful, everyone can open their prayer with, "God, I am thankful for____________." (Encourage everyone say short, 1-2 sentence prayers for this exercise.) DIGGING IN (30 minutes) The overarching theme of 1 John 4 is Godly love. This passage contains a description of God’s nature and character, which set Him apart from all other religions and false gods. John declares on two separate occasions that God is love (verses 8 and 16). The one true God, as revealed in the scriptures, is not a deistic god who separates Himself from humanity and creation. He is not a cruel or capricious god. God is love. His love is displayed in abundant ways, but the most overwhelming display of His love can be seen in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Read 1 John 4:7-12 In this passage, the author connects God to love. John says, "Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
Discussion Questions: 1. What way has God personally shown you love? (Allow for discussion.) 2. In what ways has He shown love to the world around you? (Allow for discussion.) 3. What is the way that this passage says love has been shown to you? (verse 10)
Illustration of True Love: At St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England, there is a life size statue of Christ. The marble statue displays Jesus on the cross writhing in pain. Below it, an inscription reads, “This is how God loved the world.” Think about this for just a minute. God loved the world so much that He would let His Son die.
Discussion Questions: 1. Do you think the world deserved this kind of love? (Allow for discussion.) 2. Do you think that people understand the magnitude of this love? (Allow for discussion.) 3. What are some of the reasons people might not understand that God is love? (Allow for discussion.)
MAKING IT REAL (15 minutes) Read Romans 5:6-8 This shows us that God’s love is undeserved. Even when we are feeling our worst and having an awful day, we can remember that Jesus died for us. It is interesting to note that in this passage it says, "God is love," and not the other way around. It does not say, "If you chase after love then you’ll find God." However, we can conclude that the opposite is true because God is love: "If you chase after God, then you’ll find love." God is love.
Did you know that this is also what sets Christianity apart from other religions? Other religions may agree that God is all-powerful, all knowing, the Creator, and holy. But we have a faith that is unique because we know that God is also love. This sets us apart from everyone else. Nowhere else will you be able to have an intimate relationship with God. God sacrifices for us. Discussion Questions: 1. How often is someone willing to die for a righteous person? (Very rarely) 2. If it is rare for someone to willing die for a righteous person, how often do you think someone would be willing to die for an unrighteous person? (Allow for discussion.) 3. How does God demonstrate His love for us? (While we were still sinners, Christ Died for us.) Read Romans 5:6-8 (Again) (Spend some time reflecting on these scriptures. Then lead your students in prayer again. During this time, ask them to think of the time/season when they were the farthest away from God. Was there something they did? How did they feel? Was this a time they felt unlovable? Do your students realize that this is what Romans discusses when it states that we were powerless in our sin? Lead them in a prayer of thanksgiving. “Thank you Jesus for dying for me and showing me God’s love.”) Read 1 John 4:13-21 Discussion Questions: 1. What is required for God to live in us and for us to live in God? (We must acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God.) 2. Why are we able to love? (We love because God first loved us.) 3. What command does God give us regarding love in these passages? (If we love God, we must also love our brothers and sisters.) 4. Which is harder, to love God or to love those around you? Why do you say this? (Allow for discussion.) Read 1 John 4:19 (Again) This is the Gospel message in one sentence. God loves us first. This is the best news ever. God is the one who took the initiative to save humans. We did not make an effort out of our own initiative to ask God to save us. Two times in this passage (verses 10 and 19), we learn that the only reason we are able to love God is because He loved us first and He showed us that love by coming down and dying for us. Humanity, on our own, does not love God until we are shown love. This means that our love is simply a response to His. God’s love propels us to love Him as well as others.
Notice that the section doesn’t end just by responding to God’s love and by loving Him. We are called as followers to love others as well. John, the apostle, writes repeatedly that our love of God and our love for others are directly connected.
Our love for others will be shown in how we sacrifice. Here are some questions that help us think about that.
General Discussion: • What is the most that you have sacrificed for someone? • Why did you make that sacrifice? • Did you call it love? Did that person deserve it? God’s love for us is something that He initiated. Here are some questions that lead us into loving others.
General Discussion: • Which people in your life have no idea that they are loved? • What ways can you tell or show them? • What types of people are the hardest for you to love? • What would it look like for you to lay your life down for someone who is unloving? CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes) It is easy for us to connect to God in a closet or a church building, but then ignore someone that we dread talking to. If this scripture is really shaping us, then we need to ask God for a heart to love others, especially for those that look or act differently from us. During this time, we'll spend just a few minutes asking God to change our hearts toward others.
Don’t just pray about it—do it. Whomever God is laying on your heart to reconcile with, go and reconcile with that person.
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