I John 4:8-15, 19; Galatians 5:22

Did you ever play a game as a child where you recited “he loves me, he loves me not” as you pulled each petal from a flower? You hoped at the end the last petal would leave you saying “he loves me.” Most of the time, the game ended with disappointment. This required you to pick another flower in hopes of a better outcome the second time around. With God the outcome is always the same…he loves me still. None of us deserve God's love. Sometimes it is hard for us to understand how He could love us when we become aware of how unlovable we are compared to Him. The truth is there is nothing we could do or that anyone else could do to separate us from the love of God. God is love.

Activity

Praise God in prayer as you recite “He loves me, He loves me still.” Pick a flower and pull the petals as you recite. You might want to include times when you were showing the fruit of the Spirit and times when you were not. For example, “When I am patient, He loves me. When I am impatient, he loves me still.” You may choose to recite very honestly about addictions or compulsions such as, “When I trust God, He loves me. When I worry, He loves me still. When I am sober, He loves me. When I take a drink, He loves me still.” As you praise God in prayer you will begin to see that if God loves you when you do not deserve His love you too could choose to love someone else who does things that do not evoke loving feelings in you. By loving others we show God’s love in us. When we act or think in ways that God does not approve His love beacons us to change. Loving others in this way gives them opportunity to see God’s love and to seek His loving ways.

Use a silk flower, disassemble it, and write verses about God’s love on each petal. Reassemble the flower and use it as a reminder of God’s unconditional love as you praise Him in prayer throughout the week. Remember to ask God to create in you a spirit of unconditional love for others.

Example Prayer

• Begin the prayer with thanksgiving, “Lord, thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for showing me where I need to grow in love.”
• Continue with praise, “When I am joyful you love me, when I am not joyful you love me still. When I am patient you love me, when I am impatient you love me still.” Continue reciting your love petals to God expressing His unconditional love for you.
• Petition the Lord on your behalf, “Father, cast out the spirit of impatience, self-ambition, judgment, fear, and anxiety. Let your Spirit fill me with His fruit. Fill me with your love.”
• Make requests on behalf of others, “Cast out the spirit of contention, jealousy, impurity, hatred, idolatry, and division. Pour out your Spirit of unity and of love. May all who seek your love find it and be blessed.”
• Confirm your faith, “Father, because of your unconditional love I expect your favor toward my petition. Because of your goodness I believe you will do even more than I ask. Because of your faithfulness I trust your perfect timing and your excellent way.” 
• Close your prayer, “In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.”

Follow-up Activity

Put your flower in a place where you can see it and be reminded of God’s love throughout the days ahead. Be mindful of God's blessings. Praise Him, thank Him. Make a record of His blessings and be prepared to share those with the group.

Materials

• Silk flowers or a flower printed on paper (daisies, pansies, poppies, sun-flowers)
• Permanent markers (Sharpie) or map pencils if using paper
• Music - create an atmosphere for reflection and prayer during the activity, Integrity/Create Worship CD, “Kari Jobe - I'm Singing”

Resource