1 John Study Questions Week #12
Live as Children of God
1 John 5:18-21
INTRODUCTION: In this section, John ends his letter by giving three affirmations for believers to confidently know that their faith is authentic. This has been his primary aim throughout the whole letter. What then is the result of having an authentic faith? v.21… Keeping yourself from idols. While this ending may seem odd, what John is saying is that believers are never to exchange to glory and goodness of God for anything lesser. That is the mistake of the false teachers in the community. This is also a powerful reminder for us today. We are to be called back to the reality that the point of the Christian life is to glorify God.
GETTING STARTED – Share about a time in your life that God made it clear that you needed to give something up in order to pursue him more fully. This could include something that would be unhealthy or sinful, but it could also be something good. For me (Kyle), there was a moment in high school where I felt a distinct call to put sports (baseball) on the back burner for a call to ministry. Or a mentor in my life felt convicted to give up reading the comics in the paper each day, to read the Scriptures more faithfully. Has there been a time in your life where God shifted your priorities or perspectives for his glory?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?