Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
In explaining “walk in love,” he defines love by what it does—“gave himself,” “offering,” “sacrifice”—and uses David refusing to offer what costs nothing; what would a costly “offering” or “sacrifice” look like in your life this month (time, reputation, comfort, money, absorbing wrong), and how does the promise that such love is a “sweet-smelling aroma” to God reshape your willingness to pay that cost?
Another way to ask: What would a real “costly” act of love look like for you this month, and how does knowing it pleases God help you be willing to pay that cost?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests a costly offering is volunteering yourself to bear difficulty for someone else—giving up something valuable (comfort, time, ease, or the right to retaliate) because the other person matters more. Knowing God receives this as a “sweet-smelling aroma” reframes the cost as worship that delights Him, not wasted loss.
- He defines love by action: “Christ also has loved us and given himself for us,” and repeatedly fills in the blanks: love “gave.”
- He explains “offering” as volunteering: “If someone has to suffer… it should be me… I’m the one who steps forward and offers myself in their place.”
- He explains “sacrifice” through David and Ornan: David refuses a free gift because “I won’t sacrifice… what doesn’t cost me anything.”
- He clarifies true sacrifice involves real loss: “I give up something of great value to me,” but it’s aimed at something of greater value.
- He connects this to relationships: “This is hard for me, but my brother or sister… is more important to me than what difficulty it’s going to cost me.”
- He highlights God’s response: such love is “an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma,” illustrated by the powerful fragrance of coffee/chai, making the world “more pleasing to God.”