Purpose: This is a introductory activity designed to get participants thinking about the how often we use the word love and the many different meanings it can have. You can use this as a journal exercise to begin with and then move to the chalkboard, or move directly to the chalkboard.

"We use the word 'love' in so many different ways to mean so many different things. Because loving can mean so many different things, we can say we 'love' just about anything. In your journals, write the words 'I love . . . ' (write this on the board) at the top of a page. Under that, complete the sentence with as many answers that are true for you." Give them a few minutes to write down answers.

"We usually mean something very different when we say we love someone versus when we love a thing. And we usually mean something different when we say we love someone romantically."

IV. Activity #2: Case Studies

Time: 15-20 minutes

Purpose: This activity allows students to look at three specific situations in which someone might use the word love to describe their emotion. Students should hopefully be able to see the following differences between love, lust, and infatuation.

Have participants get into small groups for discussion. Pass out a copy of the case studies to each group. Each group should read them aloud and answer the questions on the bottom. Introduce the activity as follows:

"Even when we use the word 'love' in a 'romantic' sense, we can still mean several different things. On this sheet are three different examples of so-called 'love'. Only one of them is really what can be called love. Of the other two, one is  what we would consider 'lust' and one is 'infatuation.' In our groups, let's read these case studies and answer the questions at the bottom."

Answers: Of the case studies the first is love, the second is lust, and the third is infatuation. After they answer the questions, go over the above definitions with them.

V. Activity #3: C.A.R.I.N.G.

Time: 10-15 minutes

Purpose: This is a brief activity designed to provide the participants with an easy to remember checklist of the elements that go into a Christian definition of love. They will be asked to design their own acrostic, using the following as a model:

C - Commitment: standing by a person when they are down, believing in them.

A - Acceptance: accepting a person for who they really are.

R - Responsibility: being accountable for oneself and responding to another person appropriately.

I  - Integrity/Integration: permeating every part of life, honest, consistent, not hypocritical

N - Nurture: giving, supportive, helping a person to grow

G - God: praying to and calling on the source of all love.

These are the things to build a healthy relationship. The first part of this activity is a brainstorm to come up with a list of possible elements. Then, you will introduce the acrostic above (or one like it) as a model for them. Then, using the list of elements listed, they will come up with an acrostic themselves.

"St. Paul in 1 Corinthians provides a pretty extensive list of qualities about real love. Following his example, we can make a list of what love is (or should be). A good idea is to start by taking each characteristic of love in 1 Corinthians 13 into one word, then coming up with your own words. What do you think the ingredients of love are? Let's brainstorm for a few minutes and come up with a list. You can write the results in your journal."  Take a few minutes. When all groups are finished ask for their answers and have them put them on the board.

"There are an awful lot of ingredients that go into Love-- just as there is a lot that goes into developing a healthy relationship with someone. One way we can keep them together is to connect them through other words. For example: Love is C.A.R.I.N.G..

C      Commitment

A      Acceptance

R      Responsibility

I       Integrity

N      Nurture

G     God

"Let's come up with our own 'acrostics' or word puzzles to help remember the elements of Love. You can start with any word that you think is an essential element of Love and make an acrostic out of it as well." After a few have completed their puzzle, have them present it to the whole group. If you are finding that acrostics are too difficult, you may want to ask them to design  recipes for love, using measurements, directions, etc.

"Keep your acrostics in your journal.  Copy C.A.R.I.N.G. (above) into your journal as well. In later sessions, we will apply them to our own lives and see if our 'love' is made of the right ingredients." In session 5, participants will be asked to evaluate what they would look for in a marriage partner and marriage relationship.

VI. Session Conclusion:

Review questions:

"We must be careful when we say the word love. We should be clear about what we mean by it-- especially in our relationships. Are we really loving a person or are we just infatuated, or worse? When our love is not made of the right ingredients it usually turns out quite different than what we expect and hope."

VII. Closing Prayer

 

		Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry Orthodox Church in America PO Box 675 Syosset, NY 11791 http://yya.oca.org yyacm@oca.org The Hub | Back to top