Guiding Principle: Love was the atmosphere in which Jesus discipled—firm yet compassionate.

Scriptures

John 13:34–35

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Mark 10:21

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

John 15:9

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

Prayer

1. Thank God that Jesus clearly laid love as the foundation of His mission on earth, and ably demonstrated how to love God and people.

2. Love is a new command that Jesus gave; we have no option. Pray that we will be willing to learn how to love people, including disciples that are difficult to love.

3. Jesus loved unconditionally, and that is what it means to love as He does. Pray that God will help us to choose to love unconditionally in all circumstances and to understand that this is the only acceptable way for His disciples.

4. Jesus demonstrated love; He went about doing good. Pray that God will direct us to go about doing good everyday so that those coming after us will understand what doing good is all about and be able to imitate it.

5. Jesus calls us to remain in His love; the only guarantee for loving as He does. Pray that we will strive to stay connected to Christ, as branches of the vine, through our obedience to Him.

6. Sacrifice is a test for love, and the rich young ruler failed it. Pray that we will not fail the test of sacrifice; we will love God and people more than our possessions.

Declaration:

• We declare that every ICA home, cell, zone will be filled with love that will transform every life we come into contact with, this year.

• We declare that we will learn to balance firm love with compassionate love.