1 John 2:7-27

2:7-14

7-8: The old commandment John is referring to is that we should love God and love others. The new commandment is similar, that we should love one another just as Christ as loved us. (John 13:34)

9-11: To hate people or even someone is in darkness, and not living how believers are called to live.

12-14: John’s purpose in writing is to encourage Christians to walk in righteousness. Children, young men, and fathers, could represent stages in Christian maturity. Another view is that little children refers to all of John’s readers, while young men refers to newer believers and fathers older believers.

Question: Who in your life is hard to love (family member, coworker, someone who is in your circle of friends)? How does remembering how Christ loved us encourage you to love them? What does it practically look like for you to love them well in your specific situation?

2:15-17

15: John is not saying we should hate the world, for God himself “loved the world” (John 3:16). Instead, he is referring to loving things of and in the world over and above God himself.

16-17: Everything in the world is currently and will one day completely pass away. Believers should guard against desires of the flesh (i.e. selfish desires), and should instead direct their desires through God’s will.

Question: God gave us desires, and therefore it is not sinful to enjoy things in this world. What are some “earthly” things that you do enjoy, and when have you seen these things become “bigger” in your life then they should have?

2:18-27 

18-19: The last hour began with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In a general sense, anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ is an “antichrist.”

23: John shows us again how Christianity is not “one of many paths to God.” Instead, no one who denies the Son has the Father. Without Jesus we have no hope of salvation.

24-27: John is writing to encourage believers in the Gospel, which is what you have heard from the beginning. Not to believe in and follow those who are trying to deceive you.

Question: Christians should test things that they hear and see. Just because someone said “God told me this” or “I feel like …..” does not mean God actually condones it (or said it). How should believers test whether or not something is actually possibly from God?

Question: Has there been a time in your life where you experienced someone saying or doing something that clearly was not Biblical, though claiming it was “from God” in some way?

1 John 1-2:6

This book was written by the last living disciple of Jesus, John, likely in the 80s-90s AD.

1:1-4

1a: From the beginning likely refers to Jesus’ existence from eternity past. Meaning that Jesus has existed “from the beginning” and did not begin to exist when he was born on earth.

1b-3: Jesus’ life was made manifest, and we have seen it. Jesus physically existed on earth, and also died and rose again. John and the disciples witnessed these things, and that which we have seen and heard we proclaim to you.

4: A central them in 1 John is that of joy, which John hopes the readers of this book will experience as the see the goodness of Christ.

Question: Jesus’ existence, death, and resurrection was a real event that Jesus’ disciples and many others witnessed. Contrary to popular belief, Jesus’ disciples were not killed because they were Christians, but because they claimed that Jesus actually rose form the dead. How does the historical reality of Jesus and his resurrection help you when you experience doubt?

1:5-10 

5-6: God is light, he is perfect and without sin. Living in sin causes us to walk in darkness. Perhaps showing that maybe we may in fact not be truly walking with God in our lives.

8-10: Though believers should strive for holiness, the fact remains that we all still sin in this life. To say (or think) that we have no sin (or that we don’t need forgiveness) is deceiving to ourselves and shows the truth is not in us (that is, that we don’t truly believe the Gospel).

Question: Being a Christian means you admit you are a sinner in need of a savior. However, living in continuous, unrepentant sin may be a sign that someone is not truly a follower of Christ. Being honest, what would you say are some of your biggest sin struggles? In what areas of your life could you use prayer?

2:1-6

1: John’s goal is to encourage us to live righteously. However, if (when) we do sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

2: Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, not for ours only but also for the sins of the world. Meaning that Jesus is the one and only way for the forgiveness of sins for everyone in the entire world; there is no other way.

3-5: We know those that have come to know Christ if they keep his commandments. Salvation is by grace alone, however our lives reflect where our faith and trust truly is. Is it in the things of this world, or in Christ? Otherwise, if we say we believe in Jesus, we are a liar, and the truth is not in us.

Question: This passage is both a beautiful and humbling reminder. It starts by saying that Jesus is our advocate. This means that as we stumble, fall, and screw up that Jesus is actively fighting for those who have placed their faith in him. How does this encourage you to know that, even as you sin, Jesus does not turn his back on you? Jesus is actively advocating for you!

Question: The humbling part of this passage is the reminder that those who make little or no attempt to keep his commandments are not truly believers. Biblical views of finances, sex, pride, sacrificing for others, etc., is radically different than that of the “world.” If you area believer, think back to before you became one, have you seen your desires for certain things change from then until now? Or how they have changed even during you walk with God?

Ephesians 6 

6:1-9

1-4: Children are called to obey their parents and to honor them. Parents are to bring them up in the Lord. That is, it is the parent’s job to teach their kids about Jesus and his Word.

5: Paul is not condoning the system of slavery here (and we must remember slavery and servant hood was much different that slavery in American history). However, slaves were an important part of the family, which is why Paul includes them in this passage.

5-8: For us today, we should read this passage with employers, our government, and others in mind. This is how Christians should live and conduct themselves toward those in authority over them.

9: In this time period, many masters held the power of life or death over their slaves. Masters, as well as those today with authority over others in different capacities, should treat those under them with dignity and respect. For before God, there is no partiality between any of us. He views us all the same.

Question: It is not primarily your church’s job to teach your kids the Bible and the Gospel, it is yours. Your church should simply supplement and help you in that process. What are things you can do to bring your children up in the Lord?

Question: In your workplaces, places you volunteer, or in various things you may be involved in, what does it look like for you to practically serve those over you well? How does doing this demonstrate you are a servant of Christ (v. 6)?

Question: If you have people “under” you (children, employees, volunteers, etc.) what does it look like to lead well?

6:10-23

10-12: Believers are to be strong in the Lord, for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. That is, spiritual warfare is real, and the Devil is a real enemy.

13-18: Paul uses the analogy of armor to encourage believers to withstand the temptations and evils of this world.

Question: Many Christians seem to forget that Satan is not presented as an imaginary figure in the Bible, but a real one. Therefore, spiritual warfare does exist. Often this is experienced when you try to honor God with your life or pursue God honoring things. Has there been a time where you think you encountered this?

Question: Why do you think Paul uses warfare as a description for the Christian life?

Question: The first three chapters of Ephesians speak to the greatness of God and of Christ. The last three focus more on what the Christian life should look like in response to all Christ has done. Has there been anything in this book that has stood out to you are affected you the most?

Ephesians 5

When reading Ephesians 5, it is important to remember the order in which Ephesians is written. The first three chapters are filled with Paul writing about the greatness of Christ and how he reconciled us to the Father. He clearly demonstrates that we are saved only because of what Christ has done, and not at all because of what we have done. So when we read Paul writing about how Christians should live, it is not because we are trying to earn something, but instead because we want to honor God with our lives in response to him giving his life for us.

5:1-21 

1-6: Paul is giving a list of things that believers should abstain from doing. Sexual impurity, covetousness, and crude joking are all things that Christians should fight from partaking in.

7-16: Paul is telling us to not become partners with them (that is, in their sin). Instead, Christians are to walk as children of light, striving to please the Lord in their actions.

Question: In verse five Paul calls sexual immorality and covetousness idolatry. The Biblical sexual ethic (that sex and sexual relationships are designed to take place in the covenant of a marriage between a man and a woman) is a radical position in our culture. Both sexual immorality and covetousness (though that is much easier to hide), take place at their root because of idolatry. In fact, all sin can be found to be rooted in idolatry. Why is that the case?

Question: Can you share a time when your idolatry over something lead you to sin?

Question: We cannot forget that we are all sinners and cannot consistently live the Christian life without the help of the Holy Spirit. How often to you ask for the Spirit’s guidance and help in your life?

5:22-33

22-24: Notice that this verse is not saying all women should submit to all men, it is strictly speaking in terms of the marriage relationship. These verses also do not say women have less value then men (Galatians 3:26 shows us we are all equal before the Lord!). Instead, it is saying that wives should respect the leadership of their husbands as the church follows the leadership and headship of Christ.

25-29: Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. This does not just mean sacrificing your life for your wife’s life in a dangerous situation. It means sacrificing your wants and needs for hers. As the leader of the family, if the husband does this well, the wife will much more willingly want to submit to his headship.

31-32: Marriage, in a mysterious way, displays the relationship between Christ and the church.

Question: The idea of submission/headship is a touchy subject in our society today. Especially with so many broken homes and with so few people seeing a marriage like this done well. However, the marriage relationship in a mysterious way, represents Christ’s relationship to the church. Therefore, 1) How can and should husbands practically love their wife and put her first? 2) How can wives respect their husbands, and what does it look like to submit to his headship in a healthy way?

Question: If you show me a husband who loves his wife well and puts her needs before his own, I can show you a wife who has no issues respecting and following her husband. Just as we submit to Christ because he gave his life for our salvation; we know we can trust him. Have you ever had someone (a boss, mentor, teacher, parent, etc.) that you gladly followed because you knew they loved and wanted what was best for you? What was it about them that made you want to follow and trust them?

Ephesians 4

4:1-6

1: Paul is literally a prisoner as he writes this, as well as figuratively one for the Lord as he gave his life to God’s service.

2-3: This are the ways in which believers should live.

4-6: Though believers are still sinners and even disagree over certain aspects of theology, we are still one. United by Christ who is over all and through all in and all.

Question: There is only one God and savior. Not good works or good intentions, not any other world religion or philosophy that can save you. Knowing this, how should this influence how we go about our day-to-day lives, especially given Paul’s instruction in verses 2-3? How should we interact with non-believers?

4:7-16

8-10: He ascended on high. Referring to when Jesus ascended back to heaven after he had also descended in the lower regions, the earth. God himself came down to earth for our sake and our salvation. How easy this is to not truly be amazed by.

11-12: These are some of the spiritual gifts God gave and his given believers to use in building up the church.

15a: Speaking without truth is not loving, and speaking the truth without love is unhelpful and often times has negative effects.

15b-16: Christ is the head of the body of believers and is what joins us all together. As believers, we should grow in spiritual maturity, and one way this is done is by working together and encouraging one another in spreading the gospel.

Question: It is not loving to not build one another up as well as not speaking truth when we need to be confronted in sinful or possibly negative actions. Usually we are more inclined to be either too “loving” or too “truthful.” What does it look like to be both loving and truthful? Where is a situation where you saw this play out well or poorly?

4:17-24

17-19: Gentiles were non-Jews often used to describe those far from God. As believers, we should not live like them.

20-24: Our life before Christ was corrupted with deceitful desires, for those who are now followers of Christ, we must put away our old way of life and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God.

Question: Perhaps the biggest difference between believers and non-believers is that Christians simply recognize that they are sinners in need of grace. This means that even as a Christian, you will still sin until your life hear is over. With that in mind, in what ways, if you are a believer, have you seen your desires change from selfish things to more selfless and God honoring things? Either before you were a Christian compared to now, or as you have simply grown in your faith?

4:25-32

25-32: This is a description of what, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we should strive for in the Christian life. As sinners, we cannot consistently live like this in our own power.

Question: Living the way God intends for us, though it brings the most amount of joy, can be really hard. How often to you pray for the Holy Spirit to help you in this? What would it look like for you to lean more on the Holy Spirit in your life?

Can we be honest? It matters what people think about you. It absolutely matters. Many things in life are shaped by how people think about you.

Given our culture’s extreme value placed on individualism, there is no surprise at all that this is such a prevalent idea.

But we should care what people think. What’s more, if you are a Christian, you should absolutely care what people think. 

Ephesians 3

3:1-7

 1: Prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles. Paul was sent called to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews).

4-5: The mystery of Christ. That is, that Jesus would be the Messiah and that he who save not only the Jews, but also the Gentiles. This was not made known to the prophets of old, who did not know the exact time that the Messiah would come.

6: There is no distinction between anyone; salvation is open to all who trust in Christ.

Question: The gift of the Holy Spirit was not always available. Knowing that we are gifted the Holy Spirit, how should this affect our daily lives? Can you have the Holy Spirit in you and ignore Him? What are some practical ways we can be more aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives?

3:8-13

8: When Paul says he is the very least of all the saints, he is being genuine. As a former persecutor of Christians to now being an Apostle, we see from Paul that God can transform and use anyone. If you think Christ can’t save you, remember that Paul killed Christians and God saved him.

13: Paul was in jail in Rome when he wrote this letter. Yet he doesn’t want the Ephesians to lose heart in his suffering.

Question: What have you done, or what weaknesses do you have that make you feel like you couldn’t be used by God?

Question: Do you struggle with thinking you don’t deserve to be forgiven? God not only forgave Paul, but also used him in great ways. How does this encourage you?

3:14-19

17-19: Paul is praying that the Ephesians (and all believers) would be grounded in love, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. Because Christ has so loved us, we must also love others.

20-22: God who is at work in us, not us on our own, is able to do far more than we may think or imagine.

Question: Going back to our weaknesses, how does this passage encourage you in your faith in Christ that he might do in and through you what you are not able to do on your own? In what areas of your life are you likely to think you don’t need Christ’s “help?”

One of the biggest hinderances for many who want to follow Jesus with their life is the feeling like they don’t deserve to be forgiven. For those who are Christians, many struggle with feeling like God is disappointed in them every time they do sin. Yes, they (we) know that God forgives all those who trust in Christ, but surely he still is angry with us for falling short.

Is God disappointed in you if you are a believer and yet you still have sin struggles? Below is a quick video examining this very thing. Christian or not, these words by Matt Chandler will encourage you.

“Jesus didn’t say anything about _____.”

At this point, you have undoubtedly either said this phrase or heard someone say it. We hear it most often on the topic of homosexuality, though it by no means is restricted to only that debate.

However, this statement actually gives very little weight to those arguing for the acceptance of gay marriage/an openly practicing gay lifestyle. Below are four reasons why this is the case.

Sex is one of the biggest gods in our culture today. A rundown of why this is the case is not necessary; it is plain for all of us to see. No one wants to be told who they can and cannot engage with sexually.

For all Christians, sexual purity is difficult to pursue. Pornography is instantly accessible. Even if you intentionally try to avoid sensual things, it is practically unavoidable to a certain degree today. With TV shows, public advertisements on things like billboards, or even sexual advertisements on websites that have absolutely nothing to do with the website you are on; the fact is unless you live in a cave, sexual temptation will find you.

Our cultural views toward sex make God’s design for sex hard as well. We are told that it doesn’t matter who or how many people you sleep with. We are encouraged to engage in non-marital sex and even looked down upon for not doing so.

And so increasingly many Christians are entering into sexual relationships with almost no regret. We seem to think that, at least in this area, God must not really care (or he was just wrong about sex) about what we do sexually so long as we are pursuing Christ in all of the other areas of our lives.