APRIL BIBLE STUDY 2025 (Monthly Studies are April thru Oct.)

Study Guide book called (Get out of your Head) By Jennie Allen

Help, with biblical tools to help with everyday stress, anxiety, hurt, Depression through the understanding of spiritual warfare so many of us are unaware of. Through this book study using biblical tools. We will learn to transformed our lives to take every thought captive, that will help us align our lives with the truth and more Christ like. So, we can live the peaceful and joyful life God promised us to live.

 

(HOME WORK PRIOR TO FIRST MEET UP)

READ from Page 4-33… So you will learn the back ground of the author, her story that lead to the purpose of this study book to help transform your life and take your thought captive. This first part was a little lengthy and wanted to take this time, to sum and recap the first 33 pages. Before diving into the biblical tools she explains through out the book for transformation. If you didn’t read it or have TIME. That Is okay, I am here to break it down for you and catch you up to speed.

 

(WHO IS JENNIE ALLEN?)

She is a famous Christian author and public speaker. She isa bible teacher. She is passionate leader following God’s call on her life. She is also CEO of organization called ( “IF” Gathering). Which helps creates TOOLS & EXPERIENCES for women in local church to make disciples,….  who will make disciples. Which help equip women with GOSPEL CENTERED BIBLICAL RESOURCES,  EVENTS,  & COMMUNITY.  So they can learn about God is and disciple other women right where they are.

 

(What does it mean to be a disciple?) It means one to not just receive knowledge of Jesus Christ, they are committed to understanding, learning and also applying following Jesus and actively apply his teachings to their daily lives. And thrive to be an example, which includes Jesus teaching, actions and character. Reminder Jesus came to save souls, and needed disciples to help him with his ministry. Therefore, (Fishers of Men) or catch men (women) to help Jesus in his mission to save souls for God. To learn from Jesus and striving to live like him, Christ like. Which disciples are putting his teachings to practice , demonstrated through love for God and love others.

 

Jennie Allens is a NEW YORK BEST SELLER for her books she wrote. With number one being this book alone were reading now called (Get out of your Head)… and best seller for (Untangled your emotions) and (Find your People) and (You are not alone) and (Made for this) and (Anything and Nothing to prove). She is also a Wife and mother to two. She also has her own PODCAST, called (MADE FOR THIS WITH JENNIE ALLEN). I encourage to follow her.

 

( THE RUN DOWN RECAP OF PAGES 4 – 33 )

 

-Jennie explains her job role, family and little background. SO she can set the stage for the information and understanding to come. She goes into detail how she starts having (one spiral thought) that lead to many spiral thoughts downward. To the point she is second guessing her ability to do anything right, self doubt and worth, and even to the point she’s not sure if God is real anymore and her entire purpose.  

 

She goes onto to explain she is about to get on stage to speak at another seminar. When she finds herself alone in the hallway with no security guard. As a women approach her… and started scaring her with these words:

 

(YOU NEED TO QUIT TALKING ABOUT US. WE ARE COMING FOR YOU)… Jennie looked confused and asked her again she didn’t understand what she meant… the women said, (YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT) and the women kept repeating  (QUIT SPEAKING FOR US).

 

Jennie walked off took the stage anyways… half way through Jennie express the fear when she hears streaking down the hallway alongside the large Auditorium. She felt the screaming of bloody murder in the foyer and what was the devil over played his hand when all the (POWER WENT OUT)! She mentions this is a mega church, with a back up system, that has another back up system. Power doesn’t just go out. As everyone sits in darkness they heard the screaming. She explained the enemy Satan showed his power of demonic forces. The enemy wasn’t mysterious to Jesus. To him spiritual warfare was a matter of fact. Jesus cast out demons all the time, that’s what the bible says.

 

Jennie explains, while I believe that there is a real devil and that he has real demons working for him and that a

( BATTLE FOR OUR HEARTS  and SOULS  and MINDS ) is playing out all around us at the time. And we don’t even know it.

 

After the Demonic experience that happened to Jennie, is the start of the darkness that caught her by surprise. She started waking up at 3AM every morning in fear and safety for her family. Her mind was racing and terrified her and circled her mind for hours each day. To the point her bigger fear (is God real)? To, did God ever really love me? Her thoughts were taking over her, and all spiraling downwards. She couldn’t see it happening. Her thoughts were stealing her faith, hope, doubts, everything that was important is no longer important. She questioned everything she believed. She told her self she is helpless, worthless, and unlovable. Where the danger of toxic thinking produces alternate reality, one which distorted reasoning actually seem to make sense.

 

You move along in her story, she talks about how her faith is holding on by a single tread. She explains it was the bible verse (PSALMS 13: 9 ) Which say’s, WHERE SHALL I GO FROM YOUR SPIRIT?  OR WHERE SHALL I FLEE FROM YOUR PRESENCE? IF I MAKE MY BED IN SHEOL (THE GRAVE) YOU ARE THERE. IF I TAKE THE WINGS OF THE MORNING AND DWELL IN THE UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE SEA, EVEN THERE YOUR HAND SHALL LEAD ME AND YOUR RIGHT HAND SHALL HOLD ME).

 

She explains how she held on to this verse… That the fact there is no way to escape the presence of God. And she needed that to be true. She whispers these words in the dark again and again.

 

Jennie suffered 18mths straight of this 3AM awaking and spiral downward thoughts. And kept this secret to herself. That kept her in the darkness alone. (UNTIL SHE LEARNED TO THINK DIFFERENTLY, SHE REMEMBERED SHE ((HAS A CHOICE)).

 

DOUBT STEALS HOPE. And with NO HOPE… everything that matters, doesn’t feel as important anymore. Your thoughts can overcome you and take over and spiral downward.  These lies, I’m helpless, I’m worthless, I’m unlovable. SHAPE OUR THINKING and OUR EMOTIONS. And the (WAY WE RESPOND to the world around us. IT TRAPS US in the cycle of distractions and distortion and pain. PREVENTING US FROM RECOGNIZING THE TRUTH we should believe. And it changes how we view God. Every Lie We Buy into Ourselves is rooted in what we believe about God.

 

Example, Some one cuts you off driving you instantly build a case against them, your husband forgets to pick up after himself and forgets to call you back, You instantly build case, or you see a friend enter a room of people and failed to come over to talk to you.. and you instantly build case against her.. assuming she did it on purpose, she has something against me, or she doesn’t like me, or what could she be telling others about you… and start telling yourself all the things she done to hurt you.. and your not going to acknowledge she is in the room either… and now your thoughts have taken full control over you, making one bad choice after another, in which now leads the mood and production of your day and how you respond to the world around you.

 

No Human is ever meant to be the person who fills our souls or holds in place our worth. Only God can do that.

BUT UNTIL WE THROW OUT THE LIE…. THAT GOD’S LOVE IS’NT FOR ME…. Our emotions, decisions, behaviors, relationships will remain twisted up in mistaken belief, that I am worthless. (WE CAN STOP DOWWARD SPIRAL).

WE CAN RESET and REDIRECT OUR THOUGHTS. We allow God to take up so much space in our thinking…. That our fears will shrink in comparison.

 

Please know that the enemy of our souls has NO ATTENTION of releasing his grip without a fight. And Jesus explains he doesn’t play fair. And even I know this as for my personal experience and will be sharing this for the up coming (WORSHIP on THE WATER, & Bible Study Event this July)… This book after I had an encounter with God and the holy spirit changed my life for ever… and I now see life in new lenses. My life has forever changed and change for Jesus. And first time ever… my life is no longer chaotic, my anxiety is gone, ADHD gone … well except the gift of multi tasking and talking a lot ,my stressors gone, PTSD gone. All thanks in help with this Book and leading me into the pathway of reading the truth and the word of God in the Holy Bible. I am now living a peaceful, joyful life as God promised.

 

As Jennie says, Believing that God can bring about life and peace, this is shifting of our thoughts and turn our lives for the better.

Jennie continue to explain she kept this secret of darkness to herself, Alone in the dark. You can not be set free. Because alone in the dark, the Devil tell you what ever the hell it wants.

As in JOHN 10:10,   THE DEVIL CAME TO STEAL, KILL, AND TO DESTROY EVERYTHING GOOD IN YOUR LIFE.

 

The devil knows if you keep your secrets in the dark, The you will not reach out to anyone, and you will not be saved by exposing the darkness with light… and learning the truth which leads to being saved.

 

Jennie continues to explain she went onto a trip to Uganda with her friends. And ended up exposing the darkness with her close friends. They reminder her, that wasn’t her, that was the enemy. And reminded her of her faith and she loves God and God loves you. Later she went to prayer group and the head person talking didn’t know much of any English… but here he was saying out loud the one verse that’s been holding her by a thread. PALSM 139, Which means, God’s profound Knowledge and intimate presence in our lives. God is everywhere and all knowing us in our lives, even before we are born and with us throughout all our lives.

 

Jennie hearing the Uganda man say her verse. Made her remember we Love the same God. And remembering her friends saying, “Jennie this isn’t who you are”. Jennie was like, that’s right! In her soul she knew it! This isn’t who she was, she loved God and his a believer. She trusted Jesus and prized her faith. And God was not going to let go of her. Her fears and doubts, restlessness, pain, none of it was who she was. She says God is real and I am valuable. My life matters, He is Real. I had an enemy, and I’d let him beat me up for two long. She was over it. This is War! (Spiritual War).

 

(( WE WILL CONTINUE READ  PAGE 34 – 47 together )) there is 12 pages to read, Homework, re-read alone before,

Next month bible study.  Go home and practice exercise on page 53.

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

STUDY CHAPTERS BIBLE VERSE:

Bible Study Guide for April Bible Study with book Jennie Allen (Get out of your head).

Chapter 1 thru 6, back of book.

Chapter one from NLT VERSION.

1.)2 Corinthians 10: 5,

 

 2.)    Romans 12:1-2 , 1 "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him."

2 "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

 

MEANS: Paul urges believers to offer their lives as living sacrifices to God, a "spiritual worship". He then emphasizes the need to be transformed by renewing their minds, enabling them to discern God's will and live in alignment with His good, pleasing, and perfect plan

 

Chapter 2

1.)Ephesians 1: 4-5, Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

 

MEANS: This passage emphasizes the need for spiritual alertness and a renewed commitment to living in the light of Christ's love and guidance

 

Chapter 4

1.)Psalm 139: 7 -10, I can never escape from your Spirit. I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave,[a] you are there.If I ride the wings of the morning,
   if I dwell by the farthest oceans,even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me

 

MEANS: GOD IS EVERY WHERE, WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU

 

2.)    Pslam 139: 1-2, 1 O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away.

 

MEANS:  David expresses his awe at God's knowledge of him. He states that God has examined his heart and knows everything about him, including his actions, thoughts, and even those things that are happening in the future. The verses emphasize God's intimate and thorough knowledge of individuals, even before they occur.

 

3.)    Psalm 139: 5, You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.

 

MEANS:  God is surrounding and protecting the speaker, while also being intimately involved in their life. The phrase "hemmed in" suggests God is closely guarding and watching over the individual, not confining them. God's hand upon them symbolizes His grace, guidance, and comfort, indicating a sense of closeness and care

4.)Acts 9: 17-18,  So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he regained his sight.

 MEANS: Saul's conversion and restoration of both physical and spiritual sight after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus

5.)1 Corinthians 2: 14-16, ] But people who aren’t spiritual[g] can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, “Who can know the Lord’s thought? Who knows enough to teach him?”

But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

14 MEANS: But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means." This verse emphasizes that those without the Holy Spirit cannot comprehend spiritual truths, viewing them as foolish and incomprehensible. 

15 MEANS: Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others." This verse highlights the ability of spiritual people to discern both natural and spiritual truths, while they are not subject to mere human judgment. 

• 6 MEANS: For, 'Who can know the Lord's thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?' But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ." This verse emphasizes that only through the Spirit can we understand God's thoughts and have the mind of Christ, a mind that is capable of discerning spiritual truths. 

 

Chapter 5

1.)Romans 8: 11The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you

 

MEANS: emphasizes the power of the Holy Spirit to give life to believers' bodies, just as it raised Jesus from the dead. The core message is that because the Spirit of God, who resurrected Christ, dwells within believers, they can expect a future resurrection of their own physical bodies. This assurance is rooted in the same power that raised Jesus and now empowers believers to live a life of hope and newness. This highlights the presence and power of the Holy Spirit within believers. This reinforces the idea that the Spirit is a powerful force within believers, enabling them to live a life in line with God's plan

 

 2.)    2 Corinthians 10: 3-6, 3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 [a]We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

 

• MEANS: Verse 3:

Paul acknowledges his human limitations, but emphasizes that his ministry is not based on the flesh or worldly strength. 

•  Verse 4:

He declares that their weapons are not earthly, but divinely powerful, capable of destroying strongholds. 

• Verse 5:

They are actively dismantling false arguments and capturing every thought to bring it into obedience to Christ. 

• Verse 6:

He warns that they are ready to punish those who remain disobedient once the Corinthians are fully obedient. 

In essence, Paul is stating that his ministry is not about physical power or worldly means, but about using God's power to transform hearts and minds, ultimately bringing people to obedience to Christ

 

3.)    2 Corinthians 10: 5-6,  We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

 MEANS: 2 Corinthians 10:5:

"We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ."

2 Corinthians 10:6:

"And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient."

This passage emphasizes that the Corinthians' obedience will be tested, and those who remain disobedient will face consequences. Paul and his team are not seeking to harm or destroy, but to bring people to obedience through the power of God and the gospel.

4.)2 Corinthians 5: 17, This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

 

MEANS: that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

5.)Romans 7: 22-23, I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power[a] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.

 

MEANS: Paul describes the internal struggle within him as he desires to follow God's law but is instead enslaved by sin. While his inner self, or "inward being," delights in God's law, he observes another law, the "law of sin," warring against his mind and making him a prisoner to sin. This illustrates the ongoing conflict between the believer's new nature and their old, sinful nature.

• Romans 7:22:

Paul declares that his "inward being" (also translated as "inner self" or "inner man") finds joy and satisfaction in God's law. This suggests a renewed, spiritual part of him that appreciates and approves of God's commands. 

• Romans 7:23:

However, he also identifies a "law of sin" at work within him, "waging war" against the "law of his mind" (his rational and moral faculties). This "law of sin" is a powerful force that leads him to act against his will and desires. Paul feels bound and enslaved by this law of sin. 

• The Struggle:

This passage highlights the ongoing conflict within a believer's life between the desire to please God and the inclination to sin. The "law of sin" represents the residual influence of the old, sinful nature, even after receiving salvation. 

• New and Old Nature:

The concept of the "inward being" and the "law of sin" suggests a dichotomy within a believer's life: the new, spiritual nature renewed by God's grace, and the old, sinful nature that still struggles against it

 

6.)Romans 8: 6-11, So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

 

MEANS: highlights the impact of the Holy Spirit on believers' lives. It asserts that those who are "in the flesh" (living according to their own desires and not God) cannot please God. Conversely, those who are "in the Spirit" (living according to God's guidance through the Holy Spirit) are empowered to live pleasing lives and have their bodies raised from death to eternal life. 

• ​

Romans 8:8:

.Opens in new tab

This verse emphasizes that those who are living according to the flesh (their own desires and inclinations) cannot please God. This is because the flesh is inherently inclined towards sin and disobedience. 

• ​

Romans 8:9:

.Opens in new tab

This verse contrasts the "flesh" with the "Spirit". It states that believers are no longer in the flesh but are now in the Spirit, if they have the Spirit of God dwelling in them. 

• ​

Romans 8:10:

.Opens in new tab

This verse acknowledges the reality of physical death due to sin, stating that the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 

• ​

Romans 8:11:

.Opens in new tab

This verse is a powerful promise. It states that if the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, is dwelling in believers, then God, who raised Christ, will also give life to their mortal bodies. This refers to both the present experience of spiritual life and the future resurrection. 

Key Concepts:

• The Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit is the power of God that dwells in believers, empowering them to live a life pleasing to God and offering them a future of resurrection. 

• Life in the Spirit vs. Life in the Flesh:

This passage emphasizes the stark contrast between living according to God's guidance (Spirit) and living according to one's own desires (flesh). 

• Resurrection:

The promise of resurrection, as seen in Romans 8:11, is a powerful assurance for believers, linking their resurrection to the power of God that raised Jesus. 

7.)Isaiah 26: 3, You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you,

    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

 

MEANS:  says, "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!". This verse emphasizes that God provides a profound and enduring peace to those who place their trust in Him and focus their minds on Him, even amidst life's challenges. This peace isn't merely a temporary feeling, but a deep, abiding calm that only God can offer

Chapter 6

1.)John 16: 33, I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

 

• MEANS: s a promise of enduring peace, even amidst hardships, and a reminder that Christ's victory over sin and death provides strength and courage for believers. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me":

Jesus emphasizes that he has given them these warnings (in previous verses) to prepare them for the trials ahead and to instill peace within them, rooted in their relationship with him. 

• "In this world you will have troubles":

Jesus acknowledges that believers will inevitably face hardships, persecution, and suffering in this world, a reality that continues even after his ascension. 

• "But take heart! I have overcome the world":

Despite the troubles, Jesus assures his followers to remain courageous and encouraged. He has already defeated the power of the world's evil and its systems, and this victory provides them with strength and hope. This means they don't need to be afraid because Jesus' victory is their victory as well. 

 

 2.)    2 Peter 1: 3,  By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

 

• MEANS:  God's divine power has provided everything we need for life and godliness, and this is received through knowing Him. God's gift is not just about physical survival, but also about living a life that reflects His character. This knowledge of God is a personal, experiential relationship, not just intellectual understanding. By his divine power":

This emphasizes that the gift is from God's own strength and ability, not something we earn or achieve ourselves. 

• "God has given us everything we need":

This highlights the sufficiency and completeness of God's provision for all aspects of our lives. 

• "for life and godliness":

This emphasizes both physical life and the ability to live a life that honors God. 

• "through the knowledge of Him":

This emphasizes that the gift is received through a personal relationship with God. 

• "who called us":

This points to God's initiative in bringing us into a relationship with Himself. 

• "by his own glory and excellence":

This highlights the character of God as the source of His calling and the blessings He gives

 

3.)2 Corinthians 10: 6, And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

 

• MEANS: Spiritual Warfare:

Paul is describing a spiritual battle against false teaching and division within the Corinthian church. 

• Authority from Christ:

Paul and his colleagues have received authority from Christ to handle disobedience. 

• Gentleness and Persuasion:

They initially used gentleness and persuasion, but they were ready to use their authority to address any disobedience when necessary. 

• Punishment:

The punishment is not necessarily physical violence but rather church discipline, such as excommunication, according to a commentary in Biblical Hermeneutics. 

• Purpose:

The purpose of addressing disobedience is to bring about the salvation and growth of the church. 

• Example:

Paul is setting an example for other churches, cautioning them against being too hasty in excommunicating those who can be reformed by gentler means

 

4.)Matthew 6: 33, Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

 

MEANS: "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need". This verse encourages prioritizing God's kingdom and righteous living over material concerns, promising that God will provide for all our needs. It's a call to trust in God's provision and focus on spiritual priorities. 

 

• Seeking the Kingdom of God:

This refers to putting God first in your life, seeking His will, and aligning your actions with His values. It involves prioritizing prayer, studying God's word, and living in obedience to His commands. 

• Living Righteously:

This means living in a way that pleases God, following His principles, and acting with integrity and justice. It's about striving to be like Christ in character and behavior. 

• God's Promise:

The verse assures that if we prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness, He will provide for our needs, including material things like food, clothing, and shelter. This is a promise of His faithfulness and provision for those who trust in Him. 

• Trust and Reliance:

This verse encourages a shift in focus from worrying about daily needs to trusting in God's abundant provision and care. It's about placing our faith in Him rather than in our own efforts to secure material possessions. 

• Beyond Materialism:

Matthew 6:33 is a reminder that true wealth and fulfillment are not found in material possessions but in a right relationship with God and living a life of righteousness. It encourages us to seek deeper, more meaningful treasures that will endure forever. 

 

5.)Matthew 22: 37-39, Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[a] This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

 

MEANS:  loving God wholeheartedly and loving others as much as oneself are the foundational principles for living a life pleasing to God. 

• Loving God with all your being:

The first commandment emphasizes a total and complete devotion to God. It's not just about emotions or a feeling, but a commitment of your entire being – your heart (emotions and affections), your soul (your inner self, including your spirit), and your mind (your thoughts and reasoning). 

• Loving your neighbor as yourself:

The second commandment highlights the importance of extending the same care, compassion, and concern to others that you have for yourself. It encourages a love that is not selfish, but selfless, and that actively seeks the well-being of others. 

• The foundation of all law:

Jesus states that the entire law and the prophets (the Old Testament) are based on these two commandments. This means that all the specific laws and instructions given in the Old Testament can be understood and applied through these two core principles. 

• A test of a follower's heart:

Loving God and neighbor are not just rules to follow but a reflection of a true heart that is devoted to God and concerned for the well-being of others.