Moe Bergeron

Series Introduction: The Core of the Christian Life

Welcome to our first session in the series Church Goals, where we’ll explore the power and practice of love as presented in 1 Corinthians 13. Over the next 22 sessions, we’ll unpack each verse of this deeply transformative chapter—often called the “Love Chapter”—to see how love is not just a theological idea, but a practical, spiritual force that reshapes hearts, homes, and whole communities.

Today, we begin by laying the foundation: love as the essential ingredient in every Christian’s life. No matter how gifted, intelligent, generous, or sacrificial we are—without love, it all falls flat. That’s why Paul begins here. And more specifically, he introduces two critical qualities that define true love: patience and kindness.

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1–4 (BSB)

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind.”
(1 Corinthians 13:1–4, Berean Standard Bible)

The Necessity of Love

Paul doesn’t mince words—he makes it clear that love is not just a spiritual priority; it is the spiritual priority.

You can have eloquence and charisma, know deep mysteries, perform miracles, and even give away everything you own—but if love isn’t behind it, you’ve gained nothing. Without love, every spiritual gift becomes noise, every act of faith loses its impact, and every sacrifice becomes hollow.

This isn’t about doing more. It’s about becoming more—becoming like Christ, who is love (1 John 4:8).

Love gives meaning to everything else. It’s not the icing on the cake of Christian living—it’s the flour that makes the cake possible.

Love Is Patient

The first word Paul uses to define love is “patient”—makrothumia in Greek, meaning “long-tempered” or “slow to anger.” This isn’t passive waiting. It’s active restraint, especially under pressure.

Patience is the space love creates between provocation and reaction. It mirrors how God deals with us—slow to anger, abounding in mercy (Psalm 103:8).

When we’re patient with others, especially in conflict or disappointment, we reflect God’s grace. It’s in those moments—when we want to snap, judge, or walk away—that patience becomes a witness to God’s Spirit at work in us.

Love Is Kind

Patience holds back; kindness reaches out.

If patience is the posture of love, kindness is its movement. The Greek word used here, chresteuomai, implies active goodwill. Kindness is not just avoiding harm—it’s pursuing the good of others. It’s compassion with action.

This kind of love doesn’t wait for people to deserve it. It initiates. It encourages. It uplifts. It’s the kind of love Jesus showed—healing the sick, welcoming the outcast, feeding the hungry, and offering forgiveness to the undeserving.

Kindness has the power to soften hard hearts, to open doors, and to mend what’s broken. When love is kind, it’s unmistakably Christ-like.

Living the Foundation of Love

The foundation of a Christ-centered life isn’t built on talent or theology—it’s built on love that is patient and kind. These aren’t optional virtues; they are essential expressions of spiritual maturity. They affect every relationship, every decision, every act of ministry.

And here’s the key: these qualities can’t be faked. They grow only from a genuine relationship with Jesus, cultivated through time in the Word, prayer, and daily surrender.

Questions and Reflections

Understanding Love’s Necessity

• Why do you think Paul insists that even the greatest spiritual gifts are nothing without love?
• How might love give deeper meaning to your daily actions or service?

Reflecting on Patience

• Can you recall a moment when patience cost you something—but produced peace or healing?
• How can patience shift the dynamics of conflict in your home, church, or workplace?

Practicing Kindness

• What is one area in your life where you can go out of your way to show kindness this week?
• How might intentional kindness open new doors in strained or distant relationships?

Application: Put Love Into Action

Personal Reflection
Take time this week to assess your own heart. Are patience and kindness evident in how you interact with others—especially those who test your limits?

Act of Kindness
Plan and carry out a specific act of kindness this week. Choose something that requires effort, initiative, or sacrifice. Let it be a reflection of God’s kindness to you.

Patience Practice
Pick a specific scenario where you’re usually quick to react—maybe with a child, coworker, or in traffic. Pause, pray, and choose patience. Reflect on how it changes your heart and the situation.

Conclusion: The First Building Blocks

This first session reminds us that love is not a lofty idea—it’s a foundation made up of very real, very practical actions. When we choose patience in irritation and kindness in indifference, we begin to build a life that reflects Christ.

Love doesn’t just inform our theology; it defines our identity. And when love is patient and kind, it becomes powerful, lasting, and transformative.

Next Session Preview:

In Session 2, we’ll explore what love is not. Specifically, how love does not envy, does not boast, and is not proud—and why rejecting these attitudes is crucial to preserving the unity and humility of the Church.

Questions and Answers

Q: Why does Paul prioritize love over faith or sacrifice?
A: Because love is the motive behind every action that pleases God. Faith without love becomes cold. Sacrifice without love becomes self-righteous. Love gives our faith warmth and our actions meaning.

Q: Is patience weakness?
A: No—biblical patience is strength under control. It takes more strength to hold back anger and offer grace than it does to lash out.

Q: What’s the difference between kindness and just being polite?
A: Politeness can be superficial or self-serving. Kindness is sacrificial and sincere—it seeks the best for others, even when inconvenient.

Let’s build this journey of love on the right foundation—because everything that follows will depend on it.