Iron Rose Sister Ministries

“Where” is the least important question, as we discussed yesterday, but today’s question, WHY, is the most important. If we know the “why,” all other questions are answered without obstacle.
How many one another verses can we put into practice when we are sitting side by side in a Sunday morning assembly? Now think about how many one another verses we can put into practice when we are engaging in deeper relationship, face to face, or around a table, in the context of small groups?
To answer the “why” of small groups, we are going to go straight to Scripture and recognize the power of small groups for realizing the teaching of these verses.
Notice the one another and each other language in the verses listed below. This is not an exhaustive list, but the top 30... I couldn’t pick just one or two!
1. Galatians 6:2 - Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
2. Zechariah 8:16 –speak the truth to each other
3. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 – therefore encourage each other with these words.
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – encourage one another and build each other up
5. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 – we ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.
6. Hebrews 10:24 – spur one another on to love and good deeds
7. Hebrews 10:24 – encourage one another (by meeting together)
8. Hebrews 13:1 – keep on loving each other as brothers.
9. James 5:16 – therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
10. John 13:34-35 – love one another – by this you are my disciples
11. Romans 12:10 – be devoted to one another; honor one another
12. Romans 12:16 – live in harmony with one another
13. Romans 15:7 – accept one another as Christ accepted you
14. Romans 15:14 – instruct one another
15. Romans 16:16; I Cor. 16:20 II Cor. 13:12; I Pet. 5:14 – greet one another with a holy kiss
16. 1 Corinthians 1:10 – agree with one another
17. Galatians 5:13 – serve one another in love
18. Ephesians 4:2 – be patient, bearing with one another in love
19. Ephesians 4:32 – be kind and compassionate to one another
20. Ephesians 5:19 – speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
21. Ephesians 5:21 – submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
22. Colossians 3:13 – bear with each other and forgive... just as Christ forgave you
23. Colossians 3:16 – teach and admonish one another
24. Hebrews 3:13 – encourage one another daily
25. 1 Peter 1:22 – love one another deeply, from the heart
26. 1 Peter 3:8 – live in harmony with one another
27. 1 Peter 4:8 – above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
28. 1 Peter 4:9 – offer hospitality to one another
29. 1 Peter 5:5 – clothe yourselves with humility toward one another
30. 1 John 4:12 – if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us

I love hot tea. I love a majestic view of the mountains. I love the peaceful sound of water. I love cooking. I love my family. I love Jesus. All different kinds of love.

I love hot tea. I love a majestic view of the mountains. I love the peaceful sound of water. I love cooking. I love my family. I love Jesus. All different kinds of love.

How has my love for Christ transformed since I first came to know him?

A popular retreat topic that I teach is, "Falling in Love with Jesus."  There are classes to present, discussions in small groups, and quiet time. During the quiet time, one of the activities is to have the ladies write a love letter to Jesus.

It can be hard to think of Jesus in that way, but when the women rise to the challenge, it can became an emotional experience for several of the ladies.

When we love Jesus with passion, over time, our love transforms into a mature love and our relationship grows and deepens.

I invite you to write a love letter to Jesus—to love him with passion and maturity and reflect on how your love for him has transformed.