Global Youth Ministry Network - Asia

Finally, agapē requires someone to draw people onward and inward.

A new commandment I give to you, that you agapē one another…

In the gospels, Jesus gave the commandment “Agapē one another” to his disciples only toward the end of his earthly ministry and in as simple a sentence as possible. One reason is that it was better shown in his actions, how he treated and engaged his disciples in love, than in his words. He demonstrated it more than talked about it. To build the fellowship in our ministry, we would do well to follow this example, showing love more than speaking of it and later on simply saying “Follow my example as I follow Christ.” For many committed Christians, it was the actions of their leaders more than their words that had the most profound impact in their lives.

“Just as I have agapēd you, you also are to agapē one another.”

Our greatest example is our Lord. After giving those words, he went on to demonstrate agapē for us in the most poignant way possible, dying on an instrument of shame and humiliation so that we would be redeemed. May his example draw you on to agapē your youth group in that same way.