Community Group Questions

“A Guide to Loving Jesus More Than This World” 11/4/18

To listen to an audio of the sermon, click here 

You can watch the stream of the whole service by clicking here

Scripture: Read- 1 John 2:15-29

Series: 1 John: A Guide to the Christian Life Part 5

Connecting the teaching and the worship: We sang the song “Living Hope” this Sunday.  In what ways do we see Christ’s PRESENT (not just future) rule over this world as providing a living hope?

1)  How would you define John’s use of the word “world” in 2:15?

2) We talked about the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life this past Sunday. What are some specific areas that surround your life (family, neighborhood, work, etc.) where these things show up, and what are some areas in your own life personally where these things show up?

3) What does John mean in 2:18 when he says, “it is the last hour”?

4) John argues that there are many antichrists, which he defines as anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ (2:22). Where might we find some of the antichrists that John was talking about, false or counterfeit messiahs that promise some sort of salvation?

5) What must we believe about the person and work of Jesus Christ? Read through Hebrews 1 and 2 to help with this discussion.

6) Our belief in Christ means that we have a messiah. This also means that we understand that there’s nowhere else we should look to find salvation. If this is true, what are some areas in your own life that you are relying on outside of Christ to provide you with salvation (money, pleasure, government, law and order, family, etc.)? Be specific here and try to talk through how you are trusting in these things over Christ.

7) How could our understanding of Jesus and his reign and rule over the world affect our lives and our posture toward the world around us? Again, try and be specific here. If Jesus is truly reigning over all of creation, then this has implications for how we live, not just in holiness, but on mission. 

8) John calls us to abide in Christ. In 2:24, 25, John explains how we do this, namely by trusting in the truth of the Gospel. He also promises that if we abide in his truth, then Christ will abide in us. Share how this promise of Christ's abiding presence brings comfort in the midst of trial.