Good Heart Good Life
Teachers
Lesson Summary
In this class, Shelby Krider taught about developing a heart of love, the ninth week in a series on habits of the heart. She began by sharing testimonies from the congregation about God's blessings—Jerry's hospital recovery, Dave overcoming illness—and affirmed that God loves and cares deeply for His people. Krider established that love is the foundational ingredient that brings all spiritual virtues (humility, gratitude, perseverance, contentment, encouragement, optimism) to life. She taught that God's nature is love itself, as proclaimed in 1 John 4:8, and that when we are born again, we undergo changes including the development of God's love within us. Through the moving story of Abraham Lincoln freeing an enslaved girl and inviting her to choose her own path, Krider illustrated how true love offers freedom and dignity. She emphasized that believers are not God's hired servants but His beloved children, known by name and lavished with blessings. Using John 10 and 1 John 3:1, she highlighted that God knows each person individually and showers His love generously. The class centered on 1 Corinthians 13, which describes love as patient, kind, not jealous or proud, not rude or selfish, forgiving, truthful, trusting, hopeful, and enduring. Krider concluded that embodying these virtues of love requires daily decisions and commitments from the heart.
Key Scriptures
You do not want to leave, do you? Jesus asked the twelve. Simon Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.