The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis
Week 1: Introduction — Likes, Loves, and the Love of God
Read the Introduction of The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis.
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Lewis opens by drawing a crucial distinction that will shape everything that follows — between 'need-love' and 'gift-love,' and between the loves we naturally feel and the Divine Love that stands above them. Take a moment before discussing to consider: what assumptions about love do you bring into this book?
Discussion Questions
8 questions1.Lewis begins by distinguishing between 'need-love' and 'gift-love.' In your own words, what is the difference between the two?
a.Can you think of a recent example of each type of love from your own life?
b.Lewis says that need-love should not be despised — why not? Do you agree?
2.Lewis also introduces a third category: 'appreciative love.' How does this differ from both need-love and gift-love, and why does he think it matters?
3.Lewis distinguishes between 'nearness by likeness' to God and 'nearness by approach' to God. What does he mean, and why does he argue that the first can actually be spiritually dangerous?
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