Life Together by Digital Publisher

Life Together

This book belongs to

_________________________________________________

Start Here - 1 Fas Fast Facts About 1st John - 3 The Ground Rules - 5 My Life Group - 6 Session 1 // “Enjoy Your Friends” 1st John 1 - 8 Week 1 // At Home Bible Studies - 15 Session 2 // “Establish Your Faith” 1st John 2 - 24 Week 2 // At Home Bible Studies - 32 Session 3 // “Engage Your World” 1st John 3 - 40 Week 3 // At Home Bible Studies - 48 Session 4 // “Equip and Serve” 1st John 4 - 56 Week 4 // At Home Bible Studies - 64 Session 5 // “The Life Together” 1st John 5 - 72 Week 5 // At Home Bible Studies - 80

e all desire to connect with others in meaningful friendships. At Harmony Hill, our Life Groups provide opportunities to make new friends and a chance to build mutual support among a small group of people. Groups encourage one another and meet practical needs for group members and the community. Most Life Groups meet in a nearby home for relaxed discussions about life and the Bible. Each group is a little bit GLσHUHQW %XW WKH\âUH DOO DERXW IULHQGVKLSüIDLWKüIXQ Whether your Life Group is brand new, or has been meeting together for a long time, this study of the Bible book of 1st John will energize your spiritual life and your group. Here are some ways to make the most of the next 5 weeks: 1. Bring a Bible to each meeting so you have the Scriptures in front of you during the discussions. 2. Use this book to follow along with each session and take notes. 3. Between group meetings, plan for 15 minutes a day to do the brief Bible studies that follow each lesson. This will greatly increase your personal growth during this study. 4. Exchange contact information on page 6 so that your group can communicate and encourage each other. 5. Commit to “The Ground Rules” on page 5 so that your Life Group functions smoothly for you and for others. 6. Look for your Life Group friends at worship on Sundays and sit together if you can.

%OHVVLQJV James Scarborough Family Life Pastor jscarborough@harmony-hill.org 936.632.1350

LIFE TOGETHER 2

Author 1, 2, and 3 John have from earliest times been attributed to the apostle John, who also wrote the Gospel of John and Revelation. The content, style, and vocabulary seem to warrant the conclusion that these three letters were addressed to the same readers as the Gospel of John. Date The Book of 1 John was likely written between A.D. 85-95, which ZDV \HDUV DIWHU WKH FUXFLð[LRQ DQG UHVXUUHFWLRQ RI -HVXV Purpose The Book of 1 John seems to be a summary that assumes the UHDGHUVâ NQRZOHGJH RI WKH JRVSHO DV ZULWWHQ E\ -RKQ DQG RσHUV FHUWDLQW\ IRU WKHLU IDLWK LQ &KULVW 7KH ðUVW OHWWHU LQGLFDWHV WKDW WKH readers were confronted with the error of gnosticism, which became a more serious problem in the second century. As a philosophy of religion, it held that matter is evil and spirit is good. The solution to the tension between these two was knowledge, or gnosis, through which man rose from the mundane to the spiritual. In the gospel message, this led to two false theories concerning the person of Christ, Docetism—regarding the human Jesus as a ghost—and Cerinthianism—making Jesus a dual personality, at times human and at times divine. The key purpose of 1 John is to set boundaries on the content of faith and to give believers assurance of their salvation.

Summary False spiritual teachers were a big problem in the early church. Because there was not a complete New Testament that believers could refer to, many churches fell prey to pretenders who taught their own ideas and advanced themselves as leaders. John wrote this letter to set the record straight on some important issues, particularly concerning the identity of Jesus Christ. 3 LIFE TOGETHER

%HFDXVH -RKQĂ˘V OHWWHU ZDV DERXW WKH EDVLFV RI IDLWK LQ &KULVW LW KHOSHG KLV UHDGHUV UHĂąHFW KRQHVWO\ RQ WKHLU IDLWK ,W KHOSHG WKHP answer the question, Are we true believers? John told them that they could tell by looking at their actions. If they loved one another, WKDW ZDV HYLGHQFH RI *RGĂ˘V SUHVHQFH LQ WKHLU OLYHV %XW LI WKH\ ELFNHUHG DQG IRXJKW DOO WKH WLPH RU ZHUH VHOĂ°VK DQG GLG QRW ORRN RXW for one another, they were revealing that they, in fact, did not know God. That did not mean they had to be perfect. In fact, John also recognized that believing involved admitting our sins and seeking *RGĂ˘V IRUJLYHQHVV 'HSHQGLQJ RQ *RG IRU FOHDQVLQJ IURP JXLOW DORQJ with admitting our wrongs against others and making amends, was another important part of getting to know God. Adapted from Got Questions Ministries

LIFE TOGETHER 4

2ND\ OHWĂ˘V DGPLW LW <RX JHW D JURXS RI SHRSOH WRJHWKHU DQG LWĂ˘V IXQ enlightening, boisterous, but often a little messy. These rules will NHHS D /LIH *URXS KHDOWK\ DQG KDSS\ ,W LV HYHU\RQHĂ˘V MRE WR PDNH RWKHUV IHHO ZHOFRPH DQG ZDQWHG 2. Focus on God, the Bible, and one another. Keep politics, town gossip, and slander out of Life Group discussions. 3. Be generous and practice the art of hospitality. Be willing to open your chaotic and messy homes to one another for meetings or group parties. 4. Spend time together praying for each other, not going on and on about prayer requests. +DYH SDWLHQFH ZLWK WKH TXLUNV RI RWKHUV DQG WKH\Ă˘OO KDYH SDWLHQFH with you. Relationships are messy. 6. Start on time. End on time. 'RQĂ˘W DOORZ FOLTXHV LQ \RXU /LIH *URXS $ /LIH *URXS VKRXOGQĂ˘W JHW big enough to have an â&#x20AC;&#x153;in crowd.â&#x20AC;? 8. Be at your Life Group every week possible. We need you. You are important to the group. 9. What is shared in your Life Group stays in your Life Group. When someone expresses a hurt, need, struggle, or prayer request, treat LW DV FRQĂ°GHQWLDO ,I LWĂ˘V D UHDOO\ VWLFN\ LVVXH FRQWDFW WKH )DPLO\ /LIH Pastor for assistance.) 10. If you talk too much, be quiet. Seriously. If you never talk, give it D WU\ <RX PDWWHU :HĂ˘G ORYH WR KHDU ZKDW \RX KDYH WR VD\ 11. If a discussion about the Bible ends up with a dispute or questions about theological issues, contact the Family Life Pastor for guidance.

7KDW VRXQGV JRRG WR PH _______________________________________________________________ signature 5 LIFE TOGETHER

, ZLOO SUD\ IRU WKHVH IRONV DQG EH DQ HQFRXUDJHPHQW WR WKHP Name

Phone

____________________ __________________

___________________

____________________ __________________

___________________

____________________ __________________

___________________

____________________ __________________

___________________

____________________ __________________

___________________

____________________ __________________

___________________

____________________ __________________

___________________

____________________ __________________

___________________

____________________ __________________

___________________

____________________ __________________

___________________

____________________ __________________

___________________

E-mail Etiquette = feel free to use email addresses for planning group meetings and socials, for notes of encouragement, and SUD\HU UHTXHVWV +RZHYHU SOHDVH GRQÃ¢W VHQG IZG HPDLOV DERXW causes and issues to the group unless you have permission to GR VR $OVR GRQÃ¢W XVH WKHVH HPDLOV IRU FRPPHUFLDO SROLWLFDO RU EXVLQHVV SXUSRVHV XQOHVV \RX KDYH HYHU\RQHÃ¢V SHUPLVVLRQ

LIFE TOGETHER 6

Lesson 1

Enjoy Your Friends 1 John 1

Enjoy

Establish

Equip

Enjoy

Engage

Life Groups build meaningful friendships within the church and in the community.

Enjoy your IULHQGV

Life Groups establish the spiritual foundations of Christ-followers.

Establish your IDLWK

Life Groups help members to refresh others through ministry within the church.

(TXLS VHUYH

Life Groups plant seeds of the Good News in Lufkin and beyond.

Engage your ZRUOG

Goals of My Life Group

}

Initiate Friendships Practice Hospitality Create Accountability LIFE TOGETHER 8

GETTING STARTED Years ago, a popular Christian band wrote a quirky song called â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Friend Like U.â&#x20AC;? The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Laurel and Hardy Batman and Robin, it was Snoopy and Charlie Friends through thick and thin, friends to the very end I think you would agree, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how it is for you and me I want you to know, I need you I want you to know, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no way Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d make it without you Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so good to know that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a friend like you Through all of the laughter and tears Through all of the questions and fears Through all of the winning and losing and trying I will be by your side, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cause you and I are friends for life *HRĎ&#x192; 0RRUH DQG WKH 'LVWDQFH )ULHQG /LNH 8

â&#x20AC;˘ How do the lyrics of this song express a basic human desire God has placed in all of us?

â&#x20AC;˘ If you were to move to a new city and look for new friends, what would an ideal group be like?

â&#x20AC;˘ How can you make this group more like that?

â&#x20AC;˘ What are your hopes and dreams for this group in the months ahead?

â&#x20AC;˘ How will you contribute to this group achieving those hopes and dreams? 9 LIFE TOGETHER

GETTING INTO THE WORD Read 1 John 1:1-4 together.

GETTING INTO HISTORY There were groups in the 1st century who claimed to be followers of Christ, but were actually false teachers, or antichrists. One particular group was later called the Gnostics. They believed that all matter was evil, so the human body was evil. So they claimed that Jesus did not have a human body. This, of course, goes DJDLQVW WKH %LEOHĂ˘V WHDFKLQJ WKDW -HVXV ZDV IXOO\ *RG DQG IXOO\ human at the same time. The author of 1st John is the Apostle John, who was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus, and one of the closest friends of Jesus. He also wrote the Gospel of John and Revelation. John wrote the letter of 1st John to refute these false teachers. +RZ GR WKH Ă°UVW YHUVHV RI WKH ERRN RI VW -RKQ UHIXWH WKH IDOVH teaching about Jesus? ______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

:KDW GR \RX Ă°UVW WKLQN RI ZKHQ \RX KHDU WKH ZRUG IHOORZVKLS" ______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

Definition ĂŹIHOORZVKLSĂş (QJOLVK ZRUG IULHQGO\ DVVRFLDWLRQ HVSHFLDOO\ ZLWK SHRSOH ZKR VKDUH RQHĂ˘V LQWHUHVWV ĂŹIHOORZVKLSĂş *UHHN ZRUG NRLQRQLD 7KH DFW RI VKDULQJ LQ WKH activities or privileges of an intimate association or group; especially used of marriage and churches.

:KDW GLσHUHQFHV DQG VLPLODULWLHV GR \RX VHH EHWZHHQ WKH FRPPRQ GHðQLWLRQ RI IHOORZVKLS WRGD\ DQG WKH %LEOH ZRUG WKDW WKH Apostle John used? ______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

+RZ LV IHOORZVKLS ERWK KRUL]RQWDO DQG YHUWLFDO" 6HH Y DQG

______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

5. One of the purposes of a Life Group is described this way: “Enjoy—Life Groups build meaningful friendships within the church and in the community.” How are friendships and joy linked together by John in verses 3 and 4? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

Read 1 John 1:5-10

:KDW DUH WKH E\SURGXFWV RI IHOORZVKLS ZLWK *RG" YHUVHV

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 7. The false teachers also taught that they were so spiritual that they rose above the concepts of morality and right and wrong. How does that help you understand verses 8-10? ______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 11 LIFE TOGETHER

8. In summary, how is fellowship the heartbeat of a healthy Life Group? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

+RZ FDQ \RX H[SUHVV *RGâV ORYH WR RWKHUV LQ WKH JURXS LQ practical ways this week? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

10. Life Groups build meaningful friendships within the church and in the community. In the weeks ahead, how can your group encourge the following: • Initiate friendships ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ • Practice Hospitality ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

• Create Acountability ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

LIFE TOGETHER 12

GETTING INTO THE WORD AT HOME These verses in chapter 1 will be covered this week during your daily Bible study time, so plan 15 minutes a day with your Bible and D SHQ LQ D TXLHW SODFH <RXĂ˘OO Ă°QG WKDW RU EULHI DW KRPH %LEOH studies follow each lesson.

GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER (DFK ZHHN ZHĂ˘OO KDYH RQH SHUVRQ YROXQWHHU WR WHOO ĂŹWKHLU VWRU\Ăş LQ about 10 minutes. They may want to bring a childhood photo or a VLJQLĂ°FDQW PHPHQWR WR VKDUH ZLWK WKH JURXS 0DNH WKLV D IXQ WLPH Here are some questions to consider: Ăˇ :KDWĂ˘V \RXU VWRU\" :KDW KDV PDGH \RX WKH SHUVRQ \RX DUH WRGD\" â&#x20AC;˘ What was your life like before you discovered Christ? â&#x20AC;˘ What brought you to realize your need for salvation? â&#x20AC;˘ What did God do in your life that caused you to consider Christ? â&#x20AC;˘ How have your beliefs and worldview changed? â&#x20AC;˘ What has God revealed to you about who He is, and how has that changed you? â&#x20AC;˘ How has God changed your heart?

Did You Know? +DUPRQ\ +LOO RĎ&#x192;HUV D KRXU VHPLQDU WKDW GLYHV LQWR WKH LGHDV RI IHOORZVKLS DQG FKXUFK ,WĂ˘V FDOOHG /,)( 'LVFRYHULQJ &KXUFK 0HPEHUVKLS <RXĂ˘OO OHDUQ D ORW PRUH DERXW VDOYDWLRQ baptism, our strategy, our beliefs, our purpose as a church, and our leadership structure. John Greene, our Senior Pastor, usually teaches this class.

GROUP COMMITMENT If your Life Group is brand new, there are a few things to discuss and determine. LOCATION____________________________________________________ DAY OF WEEK________________________________________________ START TIME __________________________________________________ END TIME____________________________________________________ CHILDCARE__________________________________________________ FUTURE TOPIC OR STUDY ____________________________________ DISCUSSION LEADER _________________________________________ MISSIONS COORDINATOR______________________________________ The Family Life Pastor is available to help your group get started. -XVW DVN Note, at the end of this 5-week study, the Life Group discussion leader will need to attend a 3 hour session of LIFE 101 (including church membership) and a training class with our Family Life Pastor.

LIFE TOGETHER 14

Day 1: 1 John 1:1-4 Observe—What Does it Say? :LWK ZKDW VHQVHV GLG -RKQ H[SHULHQFH -HVXV" Y :K\ LV WKLV important? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDW WZR UHDVRQV GRHV -RKQ PHQWLRQ IRU ZULWLQJ WKLV OHWWHU" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? +RZ ZRXOG \RX GHðQH WKH ZRUG ìIHOORZVKLS"ú ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDWâV WKH FRQQHFWLRQ EHWZHHQ IHOORZVKLS ZLWK *RG DQG IHOORZVKLS with others? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? Why is regular attendance at Life Group so important to you? What GR \RX PLVV LI \RXâUH QRW WKHUH" ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Why is your regular attendance at Life Group so important to RWKHUV" :KDW GR WKH\ PLVV LI \RXâUH QRW WKHUH" ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 16

Day 2: 1 John 1:5-7 Observe—What Does it Say? There are two things contrasted in verse 5. What are they? What do they represent? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ In addition, there are two words contrasted in verse 6. What are they? Why are they important? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? :KDW GRHV LW PHDQ WR ìZDON LQ WKH OLJKWú DQG ìZDON LQ GDUNQHVV"ú Y 6-7)

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ +RZ GRHV \RXU UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK *RG DσHFW \RXU UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK RWKHUV" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? Today, what change should you make to ensure you “walk in the light?” ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ As you “have fellowship with one another,” how can you bless someone else in your Life Group today? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 17 LIFE TOGETHER

Day 3: 1 John 1:8-10 Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Say? What do these verses say about sin and confession? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ How does Jesus respond to you when you admit your sins to Him? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpretâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Mean? What does it mean when it says that Jesus cleanses you from all unrighteousness? How does that make you feel? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ How might a person â&#x20AC;&#x153;deceive himselfâ&#x20AC;? regarding their sinfulness? Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Applyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;How Should I Live? Do you tend to deny your sinfulness, or dwell on your sinfulness? How is that unhelpful? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ How can you include the habit of confession in your daily time with God? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 18

Day 4: 1 John 2:1-6 Observe—What Does it Say? What do these verses say about sin? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ +RZ GRHV -HVXV GHDO ZLWK RXU VLQ" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? John is very black and white with how he contrasts obedience to God and disobedience to God. What point is he making? Why is he making it sound so strong? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? How does reading the Bible each day help you to say “I know him?” Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ,I \RX UHJXODUO\ VSHQG WLPH ZLWK *RG UHDGLQJ WKH %LEOH DQG SUD\LQJ KRZ ZLOO WKDW FKDQJH \RXU OLIH" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

19 LIFE TOGETHER

Day 5: 1 John 2:7-11 Observe—What Does it Say? What is mentioned in verse 10 that is both an old commandment and a new commandment? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Besides light and darkness, what other contrast is made in these verses? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? Does a Christian feel hatred at times? When does it become sinful? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What kind of lifestyle or life-attitude is meant by one who “hates his brother?” ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? Is there hatred in your heart that you need to confess? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ God wants us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. How can you show love this week to others in your Life Group? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 20

Day 6 7KH KHDUW DQG VRXO RI -RKQâV OHWWHU LV *RG 7DNH WLPH WR SDXVH LQ RXU study of 1 John and consider what God has told us about Himself. :H %HOLHYH ,Q *RGü God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. As you read these Bible verses, jot down notes about the following: • Observe—What Does it Say? • Interpret—What Does it Mean? • Apply—How Should I Live? Genesis 1:1, 26, 27 Genesis 3:22 Psalm 90:2

Matthew 28:19 2 Corinthians 13:14 1 Peter 1:2

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 21 LIFE TOGETHER

Day 7 $V \RX UHDG -RKQ LWĂ˘V FOHDU WKDW *RGĂ˘V ORYH LV H[SUHVVHG WR XV LQ Jesus Christ, His Son. Take some time to review what the Bible teaches us about Jesus. :H %HOLHYH LQ -HVXV &KULVWĂź Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. -HVXV OLYHG D VLQOHVV KXPDQ OLIH DQG RĎ&#x192;HUHG +LPVHOI DV WKH SHUIHFW VDFULĂ°FH IRU WKH VLQV RI DOO SHRSOH E\ G\LQJ RQ D FURVV +H DURVH from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin DQG GHDWK +H DVFHQGHG WR +HDYHQĂ˘V JORU\ DQG ZLOO UHWXUQ DJDLQ someday to earth to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords. As you read these Bible verses, jot down notes about the following: â&#x20AC;˘ Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Say? â&#x20AC;˘ Interpretâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Mean? â&#x20AC;˘ Applyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;How Should I Live? Isaiah 9:6 Matthew 1:22-23 John 1:1-5 John 14:10-30 Acts 1:9-1

Romans 1:3-4 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 1 Timothy 6:14-15 Titus 2:13 Hebrews 4:14-15

Lesson 2

Establish Your Faith 1 John 2

Lesson 2: Establish Your Faith Enjoy

Establish

Equip

Establish

Engage

Life Groups build meaningful friendships within the church and in the community.

Enjoy your IULHQGV

Life Groups establish the spiritual foundations of Christ-followers.

Establish your IDLWK

Life Groups help members to refresh others through ministry within the church.

(TXLS VHUYH

Life Groups plant seeds of the Good News in Lufkin and beyond.

Engage your ZRUOG

Goals of My Life Group

}

Discover Growth Habits Practice Obedience Pursue Christ-Like Character LIFE TOGETHER 24

GETTING STARTED Ăˇ :KDWĂ˘V D VXEMHFW RU WRSLF LQ OLIH WKDW \RX NQRZ D ORW DERXW PRUH than the average person?

â&#x20AC;˘ How did you become established in that subject?

â&#x20AC;˘ How does a person become established in the Christian faith? What does that even mean?

â&#x20AC;˘ Why is it crucial that we â&#x20AC;&#x153;know Godâ&#x20AC;? and that we â&#x20AC;&#x153;know about God?â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;˘ Were you able to do some of the daily Bible studies during the last week? What was helpful to you?

Everyone seems to joke about attorneys and complain about ODZ\HUVĂźXQWLO WKH\ QHHG RQH 7KHQ WKH\Ă˘UH TXLFN WR KLUH DQ DGYRFDWH WR UHSUHVHQW WKHP EHIRUH WKH MXGJH 0D\EH \RXĂ˘YH KHDUG this joke before: A good lawyer knows the law; a great lawyer knows the judge. :KLOH KXPRURXV WKHUHĂ˘V DOVR D FRQFHSW LQ WKDW MRNH WKDWĂ˘V VLPLODU WR a truth the Apostle John points out in chapter 2.

GETTING INTO THE WORD Read 1 John 2:1-2 together. 1. How does it make you feel that when you sin, Jesus is your $GYRFDWH EHIRUH WKH )DWKHU" YHUVH

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 25 LIFE TOGETHER

2. When Jesus died on the cross, who did he have in mind? VHH YHUVH

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Definition â&#x20AC;&#x153;hilasmosâ&#x20AC;? = While there is some debate whether this Greek word should be translated into English as â&#x20AC;&#x153;propitiationâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;atoning VDFULĂ°FH Ăş WKH LGHD EHKLQG LW LV VLPLODU 7KH ULJKWHRXV ZUDWK RI God that such a holy God has toward sin has been poured out on Christ on the crossâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;instead of on you. This is what it means when Christians say that Jesus died on the cross for our sins.

+RZ VKRXOG WKDW DĎ&#x192;HFW RXU YLHZ WRZDUG RXU QHLJKERUV" 7RZDUG world missions? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Read 1 John 2:3-6 together. :KDW LV RQH GLVWLQJXLVKLQJ PDUN RI D IROORZHU RI &KULVW" VHH Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

:KR GRHV -RKQ FDOO D OLDU" YHUVH +RZ GRHV WKDW PDNH \RX feel? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

LIFE TOGETHER 26

6. Read the following verses and jot down the phrases that refer to establishing our faith: v. 3 “obey his commands”

v. 4___________________________________________________________

v. 5 __________________________________________________________

v. 20__________________________________________________________

v. 26__________________________________________________________

v. 27__________________________________________________________

7. What do these phrases tell you about the importance of reading and studying the Bible? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 8. Did you make the time to do the daily at-home bible studies this past week? Why or why not? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

9. According to these verses, does it do much good to go to Bible VWXGLHV LI \RX GRQâW REH\ ZKDW \RX OHDUQ" :K\ RU ZK\ QRW" ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 27 LIFE TOGETHER

10. Honestly, how does that make you feel about yourself spiritually? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

GETTING INTO HISTORY Tradition and history tell us that the author of 1st John is John, son RI =HEHGHH +H ZDV D ðVKHUPDQ DQG RQH RI -HVXVâ LQQHU FLUFOH along with Peter and James. He was likely best friends with Jesus, since John 13:23 tells us he was “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” He was probably elderly when he wrote 1st John. The letter was not written to one person or even one church. It was a circular letter—written to be read aloud to one church and then passed on to another, etc. Read 1 John 2:12-14. 11. What three groups does John refer to? What do they represent? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KLFK VWDJH EHVW GHVFULEHV \RXU VSLULWXDO OLIH QRW \RXU DJH " Children = just beginning Young men = at the peek of their strength Fathers = seasoned veterans ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

13. What spiritual growth habits have been most helpful to you? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

LIFE TOGETHER 28

GETTING INTO THE WORD AT HOME The remaining verses in chapter 2 will be covered this week during your daily Bible study time, so plan 15 minutes a day with your Bible DQG D SHQ LQ D TXLHW SODFH <RXĂ˘OO Ă°QG WKDW EULHI DW KRPH %LEOH studies follow this lesson.

PRAISE REPORTS & PRAYER REQUESTS ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Did You Know? +DUPRQ\ +LOO RĎ&#x192;HUV D KRXU VHPLQDU WKDW ZLOO DVVLVW \RX LQ HVWDEOLVKLQJ \RXU IDLWK ,WĂ˘V FDOOHG /,)( 'LVFRYHULQJ 6SLULWXDO 0DWXULW\ <RXĂ˘OO OHDUQ D ORW PRUH DERXW KRZ WR UHDG WKH Bible, how to pray, what tithing is all about, and how to build a sense of community in the church. James Scarborough, our Family Life Pastor, usually teaches this class.

Notes ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 30

Day 1- 1 John 2:12-14 Observe—What Does it Say? List three groups of people mentioned in these verses? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ How does John describe each group? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? :KDW GRHV LW PHDQ WR ìNQRZ KLP ZKR LV IURP WKH EHJLQQLQJ"ú Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Explain how a follower of Jesus is said to “overcome the evil one.” Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? In what ways have you overcome the evil one? Is there a habit in your life in which you still need to overcome the evil one? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ As you go about your day, how can you ensure that “the Word of *RG DELGHV LQ \RX"ú Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 32

Day 2 -1 John 2:15-17 Observe—What Does it Say? When John speaks of the “world” in these verses, is he referring to RXU SODQHW RU VRPHWKLQJ HOVH" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What is contrasted in verse 17? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? +RZ ZRXOG \RX GHðQH WKHVH SKUDVHV" ìGHVLUHV RI WKH ñHVKú ______________________________________________________________ “desires of the eyes” ______________________________________________________________ “pride of life” ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? How can you embrace the “love of the Father” and reject the “love of the world?” ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDW GRHV ìWKH ZLOO RI *RGú PHDQ IRU \RX WRGD\" Y

______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 33 LIFE TOGETHER

Day 3 -1 John 2:15-17 Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Say? ,Q YHUVH -RKQ UHIHUV WR ĂŹPDQ\ DQWLFKULVWV Ăş +RZ GRHV KH GHĂ°QH or describe â&#x20AC;&#x153;antichristsâ&#x20AC;? in verse 22? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ How is the importance of Jesus revealed in verse 23? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpretâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Mean? What does it mean when John says â&#x20AC;&#x153;you know the truth?â&#x20AC;? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Some of the people who once claimed to follow Jesus had left the church and stopped following Him. Why do you think that happens to some people? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Applyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;How Should I Live? How should you live knowing that this is â&#x20AC;&#x153;the last hourâ&#x20AC;? and that Jesus could return to earth at any moment? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Today, how can you reject the lies of Satan and rejoice in the truth of God? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 34

Day 4- 1 John 2:24-27 Observe—What Does it Say? What is John talking about when he speaks of “what you have heard from the beginning”? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDW LV -RKQ WU\LQJ WR SURWHFW WKH &KULVWLDQV IURP" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? In what ways do “antichrists” try to lead astray the followers of Jesus? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDW LV PHDQW E\ WKH SKUDVH ìUHPDLQ LQ KLP"ú Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? :KDW GLσHUHQFH VKRXOG LW PDNH LQ \RXU OLIH WKDW *RG KDV SURPLVHG \RX HWHUQDO OLIH" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ +RZ FDQ \RX NQRZ WKDW \RXU IDLWK LV UHDO DQG QRW FRXQWHUIHLW" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 35 LIFE TOGETHER

Day 5- 1 John 2:28-29 Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Say? What should be our goal when we imagine the return of Christ? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ When you follow Jesus, how does his example impact your life? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpretâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Mean? :KDW GRHV LW PHDQ WR ĂŹFRQWLQXH LQ KLP"Ăş Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ +RZ ZRXOG \RX GHĂ°QH WKH ZRUG ĂŹULJKWHRXV"Ăş Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Applyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;How Should I Live? :KDW KDELW RU DWWLWXGH LV SUHYHQWLQJ \RX IURP EHLQJ ĂŹFRQĂ°GHQW DQG unashamedâ&#x20AC;? before Jesus? What will you do about that? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDW FKDQJH FDQ \RX PDNH WR EHWWHU UHĂąHFW WKH ULJKWHRXVQHVV RI Jesus in your actions? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 36

Day 6 -RKQ LV QRW RQO\ DERXW VSLULWXDO WUXWKV RI OLIH DQG RI *RG LWĂ˘V D OHWWHU ZULWWHQ WR ĂąHVK DQG EORRG KXPDQ EHLQJVÄ&#x2039;OLNH \RX DQG OLNH PH /HWĂ˘V GLVFRYHU ZKDW WKH %LEOH WHDFKHV DERXW SHRSOH DQG WKHLU need for God. :H %HOLHYH $ERXW +XPDQ %HLQJVĂź People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him LQ FKDUDFWHU 3HRSOH DUH WKH VXSUHPH REMHFW RI *RGĂ˘V FUHDWLRQ Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called â&#x20AC;&#x153;sin.â&#x20AC;? This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

As you read these Bible verses, jot down notes about the following: â&#x20AC;˘ Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Say? â&#x20AC;˘ Interpretâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Mean? â&#x20AC;˘ Applyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;How Should I Live?

Genesis 1:27 Psalm 8:3-6 Isaiah 53:6a

Isaiah 59:1-2 Romans 3:23

Day 7 1 John 2:2 tells us of the wonderful act of salvation that Jesus DFKLHYHG IRU XV ĂŹ+H LV WKH DWRQLQJ VDFULĂ°FH IRU RXU VLQV DQG QRW RQO\ IRU RXUV EXW DOVR IRU WKH VLQV RI WKH ZKROH ZRUOG Ăş /HWĂ˘V WDNH time to grasp what this salvation is all about. :H %HOLHYH ,Q 6DOYDWLRQĂź 6DOYDWLRQ LV *RGĂ˘V IUHH JLIW WR XV EXW ZH PXVW DFFHSW LW :H FDQ never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only E\ WUXVWLQJ LQ -HVXV &KULVW DV *RGĂ˘V RĎ&#x192;HU RI IRUJLYHQHVV FDQ DQ\RQH EH VDYHG IURP VLQĂ˘V SHQDOW\ :KHQ ZH WXUQ IURP RXU VHOI UXOHG OLIH and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. As you read these Bible verses, jot down notes about the following: â&#x20AC;˘ Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Say? â&#x20AC;˘ Interpretâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Mean? â&#x20AC;˘ Applyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;How Should I Live? John 1:12 John 14:6 Romans 5:1 Romans 6:23

Galatians 3:26 Ephesians 2:8-9 Titus 3:5

Lesson 3

Engage Your World 1 John 3

Lesson 3: Engage Your World Enjoy

Establish

Equip

Engage

Life Groups build meaningful friendships within the church and in the community.

Enjoy your IULHQGV

Life Groups establish the spiritual foundations of Christ-followers.

Establish your IDLWK

Life Groups help members to refresh others through ministry within the church.

(TXLS VHUYH

Life Groups plant seeds of the Good News in Lufkin and beyond.

Engage your ZRUOG

Goals of My Life Group

}

Invite lost neighbors Serve local missions Support global missions

LIFE TOGETHER 40

GETTING STARTED â&#x20AC;˘ What thoughts come to mind when you hear that someone is going overseas to be a Missionary? â&#x20AC;˘ How do you picture someone who goes to seminary to become a Minister? â&#x20AC;˘ How do you think our modern American ideas of Missionaries DQG 0LQLVWHUV FRPSDUHV WR WKH SHRSOH \HDUV DJR LQ WKH Ă°UVW churches? â&#x20AC;˘ Does it make you feel excited, anxious, or both to realize that God has called all Christ-followers to be ministers and missionaries in their corner of the world? Why? â&#x20AC;˘ How can your Life Group engage your world together as ministers? As missionaries?

GETTING INTO THE WORD 1. Did you make time to do some of the daily Bible studies during the last week? What was helpful to you? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Read 1 John 3:1-3 together.

Definition Love = The Greek word agape describes a strong non-sexual DĎ&#x192;HFWLRQ DQG UHJDUG IRU D SHUVRQ DQG WKHLU JRRG DV XQGHUVWRRG E\ *RGĂ˘V PRUDO FKDUDFWHU HVSHFLDOO\ FKDUDFWHUL]HG E\ D ZLOOLQJ IRUIHLWXUH RI ULJKWV RU SULYLOHJHV LQ DQRWKHU SHUVRQĂ˘V EHKDOI

2. Make a list of all the blessings that God gives you that are mentioned in these verses. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

3. Which of these blessings are seen in the past? The present? The future? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 4. Which blessing means the most to you? Why? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Stop your lesson right now. Ask a volunteer to say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for these very blessings. Read 1 John 3:4-10 together. 5. Note the facts that these verses tell us about sin. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

GETTING INTO HISTORY Jesus referred to John and his brother James as â&#x20AC;&#x153;sons of thunder.â&#x20AC;? True to his nickname, John is not subtle about anything. He uses tough language when speaking of the false teachers, calling them DQWLFKULVWV OLDUV DQG FKLOGUHQ RI WKH GHYLO +H DOVR paints bold and far-reaching contrasts, like light and darkness, truth and lies, life and death, love and hate.

LIFE TOGETHER 42

+RZ GR \RX VHH -RKQâV QLFNQDPH DV ìVRQ RI WKXQGHUú UHSUHVHQWed in verses 4-10? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Read 1 John 3:16-20 7. What example did Christ set that we are to follow? Is that literal? Figurative? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 8. How can you “lay down your life” for others in your Life Group this week? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 9. According to verse 18, how is love demonstrated to be genuine? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 10. Which of these local missions opportunities hosted by Harmony Hill are you familiar with? Working at Coston Elementary Providing support to foster parents Assisting at our food pantry Teaching or helping with prison ministry ESL Cross-Cultural Ministry Apartment Ministry

Did You Know?

+DUPRQ\ +LOO RσHUV D KRXU VHPLQDU FDOOHG /,)( 'LVFRYHULQJ 0\ /LIH 0LVVLRQ <RXâOO OHDUQ D ORW PRUH DERXW sharing Christ with your friends, and missions opportunities in Lufkin and other nations. Ben Stokes, our Missions Pastor, usually teaches this new class.

11. Together, how can your Life Group serve in Lufkin to engage and befriend a â&#x20AC;&#x153;brother in need?â&#x20AC;? Is there a local mission opportunity you can do together? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 12. Life Groups plant seeds of the Good News in Lufkin and beyond. In the weeks ahead, how can your group encourage the following: â&#x20AC;˘ Invite lost neighbors? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ â&#x20AC;˘ Serve local missions? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ â&#x20AC;˘ Support global missions? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

GETTING INTO THE WORD AT HOME Each verse in chapter 3 will be covered this week during your daily Bible study time, so plan 15 minutes a day with your Bible and a SHQ LQ D TXLHW SODFH <RXĂ˘OO Ă°QG WKDW EULHI DW KRPH %LEOH VWXGLHV follow this lesson.

PRAISE REPORTS & PRAYER ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 45 LIFE TOGETHER

Day 1- 1 John 3:1-6 Observe—What Does it Say? How is God described in verse 1? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ In spite of your sin, how does God feel about you? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? What do these verses teach you about sin? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDW LV WKH GLσHUHQFH EHWZHHQ VRPHRQH ZKR VLQV DQG VRPHRQH ZKR ìNHHSV RQ VLQQLQJ"ú Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? Does one particular sin have a death grip on you? Who can you go to for prayer and accountability? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Today, how might you express gratitude toward Jesus for taking away your sins? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 48

Day 2 - 1 John 3:7-10 Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Say? What strong contrast does John make in verses 7-8? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What contrast does John make in verse 10? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpretâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Mean? +RZ ZRXOG \RX GHĂ°QH ĂŹFKLOGUHQ RI *RG"Ăş ĂŹ&KLOGUHQ RI WKH GHYLO"Ăş ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDW GRHV LW PHDQ WR EH ĂŹERUQ RI *RG"Ăş Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Applyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;How Should I Live? Are there â&#x20AC;&#x153;works of the devilâ&#x20AC;? in your life? How will you surrender WKRVH WR WKH 6RQ RI *RG" Y ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

How will you â&#x20AC;&#x153;do what is rightâ&#x20AC;? this day? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 49 LIFE TOGETHER

Day 3 - 1 John 3:11-15 Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Say? Why might someone who rejects Christ have hatred toward a IROORZHU RI -HVXV" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What two opposite words does John contrast in verses 14-15? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpretâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Mean? Why does John use a harsh analogy like murder when describing hatred? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDW LV WKH GHĂ°QLQJ PDUN RI D IROORZHU RI -HVXV" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Applyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;How Should I Live? How do you practice the kind of love that proves you have â&#x20AC;&#x153;passed IURP GHDWK WR OLIH"Ăş Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ How can you practically show God-sized love to others in your Life Group this week? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 50

Day 4 - 1 John 3:16-20 Observe—What Does it Say? +RZ GRHV *RG GHðQH ìUHDO ORYH"ú ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ +RZ DUH &KULVWLDQV WR UHVSRQG WR *RGâV UDGLFDO ORYH IRU XV" ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? Describe the actions and conversations that will happen in your Life Group when you practice giving up your life for your brothers and sisters. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What would it look like for you to show loving compassion to those in need in your city? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? What should motive you to serve others in your community? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What local missions project can you and your Life Group embrace together? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 51 LIFE TOGETHER

Day 5 - 1 John 3:21-24 Observe—What Does it Say? +RZ FDQ ZH FRPH WR *RG ZLWK EROG FRQðGHQFH" ______________________________________________________________\ ______________________________________________________________ How does our obedience to God impact our prayers to God? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? What two steps are we commanded to take in verse 23? How are they related to each other? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ How is our relationship with God connected to our obedience to *RG" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? :KDW VLQ LV NHHSLQJ \RX IURP FRPLQJ WR *RG ZLWK EROG FRQðGHQFH" What will you do about that? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDW GR \RX ZDQW \RXU /LIH *URXS WR UHFHLYH IURP *RG" Y What is your bold prayer for your brothers and sisters in Christ? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 52

Day 6 7KH ERRN RI -RKQ LV RQH RI ERRNV WKDW IRUP WKH %LEOH /HWĂ˘V WDNH WLPH WR XQGHUVWDQG WKH %LEOHĂ˘V SODFH LQ RXU OLYHV :H %HOLHYH $ERXW WKH %LEOHĂź 7KH %LEOH LV *RGĂ˘V :RUG WR XV ,W ZDV ZULWWHQ E\ KXPDQ DXWKRUV under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. As you read these Bible verses, jot down notes about the following: â&#x20AC;˘ Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Say? â&#x20AC;˘ Interpretâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Mean? â&#x20AC;˘ Applyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;How Should I Live? Psalm 12:6, Psalm 119:105, 160 Proverbs 30:5

2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16 2 Peter 1:20-21

Lesson 4

Equip and Serve 1 John 4

Lesson 4: Equip and Serve Enjoy

Life Groups build meaningful friendships within the church and in the community.

Enjoy your IULHQGV

Life Groups establish the spiritual foundations of Christ-followers.

Establish your IDLWK

Equip

Life Groups help members to refresh others through ministry within the church.

(TXLS VHUYH

Engage

Life Groups plant seeds of the Good News in Lufkin and beyond.

Engage your ZRUOG

E quip

Establish

Goals of My Life Group

}

• Exercise spiritual gifts • Serve on Sundays or Wednesdays • Assist in Life Group LIFE TOGETHER 56

GETTING STARTED Is the church like a cruise ship or a battle ship? Many seem to think of church more like a cruise ship—the church exists for their pleasure and entertainment. They decide which church to attend by asking questions like these: • Do I like the music they play? • Do I like the captain and his crew? • Is the service good? • Am I well fed? • Are my needs met promptly? • Will I cruise with them again? A better image for the church is a battleship. Looking for a church to attend would be similar to evaluating a battleship:

• Does the captain submit to a higher authority? • Are the tactics and moves of the enemy well understood by the crew? • Is the crew able to endure storms together? • Is the crew equipped to succeed? ÷ ,V HYHU\RQH H[SHFWHG WR FRQWULEXWH LQ VLJQLðFDQW ZD\V" • Are they taught to be disciplined and vigilant? • Do they take the battle seriously? ÷ $UH WKH\ KRQRUHG IRU WKHLU HσRUWV" • Is there a life-and-death mission in which everyone is expected to play an important part?

Discuss • How does this analogy strike you? • How do you think people in Lufkin decide what church to attend? • How do you view church, as a cruise ship or a battleship? • Has Harmony Hill Baptist Church embraced “a life-and-death mission in which everyone is expected to play an important part?” ÷ +DYH \RX" :KDWâV \RXU ìLPSRUWDQW SDUW"ú 57 LIFE TOGETHER

GETTING INTO THE WORD 1. Did you make time to do some of the daily at home Bible studies during the last week? What was helpful to you? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ __

Definition

Agapetos in verse 7 is translated into English Bibles as “beloved” or “dear friends.” It literally means a person dearly loved and cherished, preferred above all others and treated with partiality.

Read 1 John 4:7-12 together. 2. List some of the phrases you see in verses 7-12 that refer to love. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ +RZ GLG *RG GHPRQVWUDWH +LV ORYH IRU \RX" VHH YHUVH

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 4. How does it make you feel that you are deeply loved and cherished above all others by God? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDW GRHV *RGâV H[WUDYDJDQW ORYH IRU \RX FRPSHO \RX WR GR" VHH YHUVH

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 58

GETTING INTO HISTORY John was especially loyal to Jesus. He was the only one of the 12 apostles present at the cross. After Pentecost, John teamed up with Peter to fearlessly preach the gospel in Jerusalem and VXĎ&#x192;HUHG EHDWLQJV DQG LPSULVRQPHQW IRU LW -RKQ ZDV RQH RI WKH Ă°UVW GLVFLSOHV FKRVHQ +H ZDV DQ HOGHU LQ WKH HDUO\ FKXUFK DQG helped spread the gospel message. Because John experienced the XQFRQGLWLRQDO ORYH RI -HVXV Ă°UVWKDQG KH SUHDFKHG WKDW ORYH LQ KLV gospel and letters. He is credited with writing the Gospel of John; the letters 1, 2, and 3 John; and the book of Revelation. John the Apostle â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Disciple Jesus Lovedâ&#x20AC;? by Jack Zavada

Read 1 John 4:13-21 6. This passage clearly tells followers of Christ an important truth since they are â&#x20AC;&#x153;belovedâ&#x20AC;? they are to â&#x20AC;&#x153;be loveâ&#x20AC;? to one another. How should love be visible in our church? In your Life Group? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 7. While the Bible teaches us to love all people, 1st John tells us to ORYH ĂŹRXU EURWKHU Ăş 7KLV VSHFLĂ°FDOO\ WHOOV XV WR VKRZ ORYH WR RWKHU &KULVWLDQV LQ RXU FKXUFK :K\ LV KH PDNLQJ WKLV GLVWLQFWLRQ" VHH verses 15-16) _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

Did You Know? +DUPRQ\ +LOO RĎ&#x192;HUV D KRXU VHPLQDU WKDW ZLOO HTXLS \RX WR YROXQWHHU DW FKXUFK ,WĂ˘V FDOOHG /,)( 'LVFRYHULQJ 0\ 0LQLVWU\ <RXĂ˘OO OHDUQ D ORW PRUH DERXW KRZ *RG XVHV \RXU personality, your story, and your spiritual gifts to make D GLĎ&#x192;HUHQFH LQ WKH OLYHV RI RWKHUV .DWKU\Q *UHHQH RXU :RPHQĂ˘V 0LQLVWU\ 'LUHFWRU RYHUVHHV DOO IRXU /,)( FODVVHV and teaches LIFE 301. 59 LIFE TOGETHER

In a modern American church like Harmony Hill, the work of ministry on Sundays and Wednesdays cannot be carried out without volunteers. At Harmony Hill, on any given Sunday, over YROXQWHHUV ĂŹPDNH LW KDSSHQĂş SUHVFKRRO DQG FKLOGUHQĂ˘V KHOSHUV teachers to students, greeters, parking attendants, technology volunteers, and musicians. 8. Why do you think our church discourages someone to attend a Life Group on Sunday and on Wednesday? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 6KRXOG REOLJDWLRQ RU JXLOW EH VRPHRQHĂ˘V PRWLYDWLRQ IRU volunteering at FKXUFK" YHUVH

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 10. For each of the following volunteers, how are they demonstrating love by their role on the â&#x20AC;&#x153;battleship?â&#x20AC;? Who are they ministering to? How? â&#x20AC;˘ Nursery worker â&#x20AC;˘ Parking lot greeter â&#x20AC;˘ Student discussion group leader

â&#x20AC;˘ Camera operator â&#x20AC;˘ Preschool teacher â&#x20AC;˘ Choir member

11. What would happen if every member of Harmony Hill gave one hour each week to serve on Wednesday evenings or Sunday mornings? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

12. How can this Life Group encourage and equip you to serve others in our “battleship church?” ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 13. Life Groups help members to refresh others through ministry within the church. How can your group encourage the following: • Exercise spiritual gifts ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ •Serve on Sundays or Wednesday ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ •Assist in Life Group ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

GETTING INTO THE WORD AT HOME The remaining verses in chapter 4 will be covered this week during your daily Bible study time, so plan 15 minutes a day with your Bible DQG D SHQ LQ D TXLHW SODFH <RXâOO ðQG WKDW EULHI DW KRPH %LEOH studies follow this lesson. 61 LIFE TOGETHER

GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER (DFK ZHHN ZHĂ˘OO KDYH RQH SHUVRQ YROXQWHHU WR WHOO ĂŹWKHLU VWRU\Ăş LQ about 10 minutes. They may want to bring a childhood photo or a VLJQLĂ°FDQW PHPHQWR WR VKDUH ZLWK WKH JURXS 0DNH WKLV D IXQ WLPH Here are some questions to consider: Ăˇ :KDWĂ˘V \RXU VWRU\" :KDW KDV PDGH \RX WKH SHUVRQ \RX DUH today? â&#x20AC;˘ What was your life like before you discovered Christ? â&#x20AC;˘ What brought you to realize your need for salvation? â&#x20AC;˘ What did God do in your life that caused you to consider Christ? â&#x20AC;˘ How have your beliefs and worldview changed? â&#x20AC;˘ What has God revealed to you about who He is, and how has that changed you? â&#x20AC;˘ How has God changed your heart?

Day 1 - 1 John 4:1-3 Observe—What Does it Say? Discernment is the ability to see and understand people and their motivations clearly. Why is discernment important for a follower of Jesus? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDW WZR ìVSLULWVú DUH RSHUDWLQJ LQ WKH ZRUOG WRGD\" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? An “antichrist” is someone who works against the teachings of Jesus. How do you see antichrists at work in the world today? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ When someone claims to be a spiritual teacher or leader, how can we know if they are worth listening to? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? How will you protect yourself from those who simply have bad WKHRORJ\ ZURQJ EHOLHIV DERXW *RG " ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ +RZ FDQ \RX EHVW VWXG\ DQG DSSO\ WKH WUXWK RI *RGâV :RUG WR \RXU life each and every day? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 64

Day 2 - 1 John 4:4-6 Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Say? What opposite things are contrasted in these verses? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What good news is described in verse 4? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpretâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Mean? :KDWĂ˘V WKH GLĎ&#x192;HUHQFH EHWZHHQ OLVWHQLQJ WR ĂŹWKH ZRUOGĂ˘V YLHZSRLQWĂş and listening to God? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What does it mean to â&#x20AC;&#x153;belong to God?â&#x20AC;? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Applyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;How Should I Live? Describe how it makes you feel that you belong to God? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Knowing that those in your Life Group are children of God and EHORQJ WR *RG KRZ VKRXOG WKDW DĎ&#x192;HFW \RXU UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK WKHP" ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 65 LIFE TOGETHER

Day 3 - 1 John 4:7-12 Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Say? :KDW JLYHV SURRI WKDW \RX ORYH *RG DQG NQRZ *RG" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDW JLYHV SURRI WKDW *RG ORYHV \RX" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpretâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Mean? :KDW GRHV LW PHDQ WKDW -HVXV ZDV Ã¬D VDFULÃ°FH WR WDNH DZD\ RXU VLQVÃº" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDW GRHV LW PHDQ WKDW *RGÃ¢V Ã¬ORYH LV PDGH FRPSOHWHÃº LQ \RX" Y 12) ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Applyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;How Should I Live? +RZ FDQ \RX DOORZ *RGÃ¢V ORYH WR VSLOO RXW IURP \RXU OLIH LQWR WKH OLYHV of those in your Life Group? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What would your Life Group look like if it practiced deep-seated God-sized love? How can you make that happen? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 66

Day 4 - 1 John 4:13-18 Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Say? What do these verses teach about God the Father? About God the Son? About God the Spirit? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ How is friendship with God related to loving others? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpretâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Mean? What does John mean when he describes someone who â&#x20AC;&#x153;lives in ORYHĂş" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What does it mean when he describes someone who â&#x20AC;&#x153;lives in *RG"Ăş Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Applyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;How Should I Live? 9HUVH WHOOV XV ĂŹ*RG LV ORYH Ăş +RZ ZLOO WKDW PDNH D GLĎ&#x192;HUHQFH LQ your life today? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 7RGD\ ZLOO \RX FKRRVH WR IRFXV \RXU PLQG RQ \RXU IHDUV RU RQ *RGĂ˘V SHUIHFW ORYH" Y :K\" +RZ" ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 67 LIFE TOGETHER

Day 5 - 1 John 4:19-21 Observe—What Does it Say? :KR LV D OLDU" :K\" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What does John say about love? About hate? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? Is John only describing emotions when he refers to love and hate? Explain. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ How is your friendship with God linked to your relationship with other followers of Christ? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? Memorize verse 19. How does that make you feel? How should that make you act? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ How can your Life Group be a shining example of verse 21? What will you do to make that happen? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 68

Day 6 When we speak of God, we refer to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Many followers of Christ know little about the Spirit, yet 1 John mentions His work in our lives several times. Take a few minutes to see what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit. :H %HOLHYH $ERXW WKH +RO\ 6SLULWü The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. As you read these Bible verses, jot down notes about the following: • Observe—What Does it Say? • Interpret—What Does it Mean? • Apply—How Should I Live? John 14:16-17, 16:7-13 Acts 1:8 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16

2 Corinthians 3:17 Galatians 5:25 Ephesians 1:13, 5:18

Lesson 5

Life Together 1 John 5

Lesson 5: Life Together Enjoy

Establish

Equip Engage

Life Groups build meaningful friendships within the church and in the community.

Enjoy your IULHQGV

Life Groups establish the spiritual foundations of Christ-followers.

Establish your IDLWK

Life Groups help members to refresh others through ministry within the church.

(TXLS VHUYH

Life Groups plant seeds of the Good News in Lufkin and beyond.

Engage your ZRUOG

LIFE TOGETHER 72

GETTING STARTED One of the most thorough research projects on relationships is called the Alameda County Study. Headed by a Harvard social scientist, it tracked the lives of 7,000 people over nine years. Researchers found that the most isolated people were three times more likely to die than those with strong relational connections. 3HRSOH ZKR KDG EDG KHDOWK KDELWV VXFK DV VPRNLQJ SRRU eating habits, obesity, or alcohol use) but strong social ties lived VLJQLĂ°FDQWO\ ORQJHU WKDQ SHRSOH ZKR KDG JUHDW KHDOWK KDELWV EXW were isolated. In other words, it is better to eat Twinkies with good friends than to eat broccoli alone. Harvard researcher Robert Putnam notes that if you belong to no groups but decide to join one, â&#x20AC;&#x153;you cut your risk of dying over the next year in half.â&#x20AC;? For another study, as reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 276 volunteers were infected with a virus that produces the common cold. The study found that people with VWURQJ HPRWLRQDO FRQQHFWLRQV GLG IRXU WLPHV EHWWHU Ă°JKWLQJ RĎ&#x192; illness than those who were more isolated. These people were less VXVFHSWLEOH WR FROGV KDG OHVV YLUXV DQG SURGXFHG VLJQLĂ°FDQWO\ OHVV PXFRXV WKDQ UHODWLRQDOO\ LVRODWHG VXEMHFWV ,Ă˘P QRW PDNLQJ this up. They produced less mucous. This means it is literally true: Unfriendly people are snottier than friendly people. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; John Ortberg, (YHU\RQHĂ˘V 1RUPDO 7LOO <RX *HW 7R .QRZ 7KHP â&#x20AC;˘ Are you surprised by the results of these two studies? â&#x20AC;˘ How do these modern academic studies demonstrate what the Apostle John taught 2000 years ago about fellowship and love? â&#x20AC;˘ How can our Life Group awaken life-giving Christ-focused relationships to every single person in this group? â&#x20AC;˘ What role do you plan in making that happen?

73 LIFE TOGETHER

GETTING INTO THE WORD 1. Did you make time to do some of the daily Bible studies during the last week? What was challenging to you? _____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Read 1 John 5:1-5 together. :K\ DUH *RGĂ˘V FRPPDQGV ĂŹQRW EXUGHQVRPH"Ăş ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 3. How have you â&#x20AC;&#x153;overcome the world?â&#x20AC;? In what ways has God freed \RX IURP VLQ KDELWV RU D GLĎ&#x201E;FXOW FKDOOHQJH" ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Read 1 John 5:9-12 together.

GETTING INTO HISTORY 7KH DSRVWOH -RKQ ZDVQĂ˘W WKH RQO\ RQH UHIXWLQJ WKH OLHV RI IDOVH teachers. Here is an excerpt from a letter that a man named Ignatius of Antioch in 107 AD: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some people make a habit of going about bearing the Name, but with evil deceit. They do things that are unworthy of God. You must turn from these as you would turn from wild beasts, for they are ravenous dogs that bite secretly. You must be on guard against them; they are almost incurable. There is RQH SK\VLFLDQ +H LV ERWK ĂąHVK DQG VSLULW KH LV ERUQ DQG XQERUQ KH is God in man; he is true life in death; he is from Mary and God; he Ă°UVW VXĎ&#x192;HUHG DQG WKHQ ZDV EH\RQG VXĎ&#x192;HULQJ KH LV -HVXV &KULVW RXU Lord.â&#x20AC;?

Definition 7KH *UHHN ZRUG SDUUHVLD LV WUDQVODWHG DV ĂŹFRQĂ°GHQFH Ăş ,W LV WKH trait of being willing to undertake activities that involve risk or danger, especially that involve being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech

4. The early church had the apostles, who had been with Jesus, yet limited forms of communication. They also did not yet have the 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW 7KH PRGHUQ FKXUFK LV รฐOOHG ZLWK &KULVWLDQV ZKR RZQ ORWV RI %LEOHV :KLFK JURXS ZRXOG EH EHVW HTXLSSHG WR รฐJKW false teaching in the church? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 5. Verse 12 says, โ he who has the Son has life.โ When did you acknowledge that Jesus was the Son of God and choose to follow Him? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 6. What change has that made in your life? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Read 1 John 5:13-15 7. What two reasons does John give for his reader to have FRQรฐGHQFH" ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ $UH \RX FRQรฐGHQW WKDW \RX KDYH HWHUQDO OLIH" :K\ RU ZK\ QRW" ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ $UH \RX FRQรฐGHQW WKDW *RG KHDUV \RXU SUD\HUV" 7KDW *RG DQswers your prayers? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 75 LIFE TOGETHER

/HWÃ¢V UHYLHZ WKH IRXU SXUSRVHV RI D /LIH *URXS WKDW ZHÃ¢YH GLVFXVVHG during the study of 1st John. Together as a group, rate your Life Group on each purpose. ZH KDYH ORWV RI ZRUN WR GR ZHÃ¢UH GRLQJ JUHDW Life Groups build meaningful friendships within the church and in the community. Life Groups establish the spiritual foundations of Christ-followers. Life Groups help members to refresh others through ministry within the church. Life Groups plant seeds of the Good News in Lufkin and beyond.

3UD\ WRJHWKHU WKDW *RG ZRXOG EOHVV \RXU /LIH *URXS WR IXOÃ°OO +LV purposes for each of you.

GETTING INTO THE WORD AT HOME 7KLV VWXG\ LVQÃ¢W RYHU \HW $OO WKH YHUVHV LQ FKDSWHU ZLOO EH FRYHUHG this week during your daily Bible study time, so plan 15 minutes a GD\ ZLWK \RXU %LEOH DQG D SHQ LQ D TXLHW SODFH <RXÃ¢OO Ã°QG WKDW Ã°QDO at-home Bible studies follow this lesson.

GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER (DFK ZHHN ZHÃ¢OO KDYH RQH SHUVRQ YROXQWHHU WR WHOO Ã¬WKHLU VWRU\Ãº LQ about 10 minutes. They may want to bring a childhood photo or a VLJQLÃ°FDQW PHPHQWR WR VKDUH ZLWK WKH JURXS 0DNH WKLV D IXQ WLPH Look at page 13 for some questions to consider. <RXÃ¢OO ZDQW WR FRQWLQXH Ã¬*HWWLQJ WR .QRZ 2QH $QRWKHUÃº IRU WKH QH[W IHZ ZHHNV XQWLO HYHU\RQH KDV KDG D FKDQFH WR VKDUH

LIFE TOGETHER 76

Day 1 - 1 John 5:1-5 Observe—What Does it Say? :KR DUH ZH WR ORYH" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ +RZ DUH ORYLQJ *RG DQG ORYLQJ RWKHUV UHODWHG WR HDFK RWKHU" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? +RZ DUH ORYH DQG REHGLHQFH OLQNHG WRJHWKHU" :K\" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ :KDW GRHV LW PHDQ WR ìRYHUFRPH WKH ZRUOG"ú Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? What is most challenging for you: loving God, loving others, or obeying God? Why? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What is it that God wants you to overcome? How will you let someone in your Life Group help you? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 80

Day 2 - 1 John 5:6-12 Observe—What Does it Say? List what you learn about each member of the Trinity in this passage. God the Father. God the Son. God the Spirit. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? +RZ GR \RX GHVFULEH ìHWHUQDO OLIH"ú Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ +RZ ZRXOG \RX H[SODLQ YHUVH WR D IULHQG ZKR GRHVQâW IROORZ Jesus? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? God has given you life: eternal life, and life today. What are you JRLQJ WR GR ZLWK WKH GD\ +H KDV JLYHQ \RX" Y ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Are you sleepwalking through life, or are you joyfully embracing the life God has given you? Why? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

81 LIFE TOGETHER

Day 3 - 1 John 5:13-15 Observe—What Does it Say? :KDW JLYHV XV FRQðGHQFH WR DSSURDFK *RG" ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What happens when a follower of Christ makes a request to God? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? Do these verses support a “health and wealth gospel” in which we VHOðVKO\ DVN *RG IRU WKLQJV DQG GHPDQG WKDW KH JLYHV WKHP WR XV" Why or why not? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What does it mean to “believe in the name of the Son of God”? Y " ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? Do you have a habit of spending time with the Father in prayer each day? Why or why not? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ By name, spend time praying for each person in your Life Group, asking God to show you ways to be a friend to each one. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 82

Day 4 - 1 John 5:16-20 Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Say? Should we be concerned when another follower of Christ embraces a lifestyle of sin? Why? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ How seriously does God take sin? Why? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpretâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Mean? :KDW GRHV LW PHDQ WR ĂŹNQRZ KLP ZKR LV WUXHĂş" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What does John mean when he says â&#x20AC;&#x153;the evil one cannot harm KLPĂş" Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Applyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;How Should I Live? 7KHUH LV D GLĎ&#x192;HUHQFH EHWZHHQ FRPPLWWLQJ D VLQ DQG ĂŹFRQWLQXLQJ WR VLQ Ăş Y 'R \RX QHHG WR VHHN KHOS IRU D VLQ KDELW RU DGGLFWLRQ LQ your life? Who will you turn to today? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Since the â&#x20AC;&#x153;whole world is under the control of the evil one,â&#x20AC;? how will \RX EH DQ HQFRXUDJHPHQW WR ĂŹWKH FKLOGUHQ RI *RG"Ăş Y

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 83 LIFE TOGETHER

Day 5 - 1 John 5:16-20 Observe—What Does it Say? How does John address those he is writing to? What does that tell you? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

What command does John give in closing his letter? Why? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Interpret—What Does it Mean? +RZ ZRXOG \RX GHðQH DQ LGRO" ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What idols do we worship in our culture today? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Apply—How Should I Live? Is there a pursuit or a possession in your life that is more important to you than loving God? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ How will you keep yourself from idols? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ LIFE TOGETHER 84

Day 6 -RKQ JLYHV XV FRQĂ°GHQFH RI RXU VDOYDWLRQ LQ &KULVW :KHQ D person genuinely determines to submit themselves and follow Jesus, a change happens in their life. Take a few minutes to see what the Bible says about salvation and eternal security. :H %HOLHYH $ERXW (WHUQDO 6HFXULW\Ăź Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot â&#x20AC;&#x153;loseâ&#x20AC;? it. Salvation is maintained by the JUDFH DQG SRZHU RI *RG QRW E\ WKH VHOI HĎ&#x192;RUW RI WKH &KULVWLDQ ,W LV the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. As you read these Bible verses, jot down notes about the following: â&#x20AC;˘ Observeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Say? â&#x20AC;˘ Interpretâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;What Does it Mean? â&#x20AC;˘ Applyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;How Should I Live? John 10:29 2 Timothy 1:12 Hebrews 7:25

Hebrews 10:10, 14 1 Peter 1:3-5

Day 7 7KH $SRVWOH -RKQ ZDQWHG WKH IROORZHUV RI &KULVW WR KDYH FRQðGHQFH WKDW WKH\ KDG HWHUQDO OLIH /HWâV ORRN DW ZKDW RXU FKXUFK WHDFKHV about this essential topic. :H %HOLHYH $ERXW (WHUQLW\ü People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

As you read these Bible verses, jot down notes about the following: • Observe—What Does it Say? • Interpret—What Does it Mean? • Apply—How Should I Live? John 3:16-17 John 14:17 Romans 6:23

Romans 8:17-18 1 Corinthians 2:7-9 Revelation 20:15