1 John 4:7-12 | Love & Justice
1 John 4:7-12 | Love & Justice
Pray
Church of the Week
Penngrove Community Church & Pastor Conor Anderson
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries CRU Campus Ministry, Harvest Christian School, Redwood Gospel Mission, & Salvation Army
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 4:7-12 out loud together
Invite a one or two people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Are you a valentine's grinch? What way can you practice love without the commercial influence?
Why do you think John's writings have such an emphasis on Love?
How does grounding God's love in His character help us understand His Justice?
How does agape love help us discern who is genuine and who is false?
Application
Read the parable of the unforgiving debtor in Matthew 18:21-35 in your group. Discuss how God's agape love should affect our interactions with others. Pray about an area of your life where God is calling you to walk in the balance of His Love and Justice.
1 John 4:1-6 | History, Prophecy, Authority
1 John 4:1-6 | History, Prophecy, Authority
Pray
Church of the Week
Village Baptist Church and Pastor Shola Akognon
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 4:1-6 out loud together
Invite a one or two people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
How would you define prophecy? How does Pastor Zach's definition help you understand it: "When ordinary people, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, speak words from God to one another."
According to 1 John 4:2-3 How can we know if something comes from God?
Who do you think has authority to interpret the significance of Jesus' life?
What in scripture gives the apostles authority to speak on Jesus' behalf?
Application
What practices can help you this week to continue in the Word?
What time can you set aside to be committed to godly fellowship this week?
What step is God calling you to this week to enter into the work of God?
1 John 3:19-24 | What We Know
1 John 3:19-24 | What We Know
Pray
Church of the Week
Hillside Church & Pastor Doug Manson
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 3:19-24 out loud together
Invite a one or two people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Discuss the 7 truths "we know" from 1 John
We know He changes lives – How can you be a doer of the word not just a hearer?
We Know time is short – Where do you need live with a sense of urgency?
We know we are already saved but not yet perfect – What doubts do you need to settle? Where do you need to grow in deeper relationship
We know that the perfect God takes away sins – He is a powerful & holy God, Where are you tempted to shrink Him to a manageable size?
We know that Jesus brings life – How can we grow in love for our fellow Christians
We know that He knows everything – Do you feel free to confess sin and receive forgiveness or is it hard to believe you can?
We know that He abides in us – How can you remember Him in the everyday things of life
Application
Ask God which truths do you need to believe are true which truths do you need to experience this week?
1 John 3:11-24 | Love That Lives
1 John 3:11-24 | Love That Lives
Pray
Church of the Week
Eastside Freewill Baptist Church & Pastor John Aranda
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries CRU Campus Ministry, Harvest Christian School, Redwood Gospel Mission, & Salvation Army
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 3:11-24 out loud together
Invite a one or two people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Who is on the list of people you would lay down your life for?
How can you tell love is present in someone’s life?
Where are you most tempted to practice love with good intentions but not actions, or when only when convenient?
How does God’s love free us from condemnation in our day to day lives?
If the peak of human love is just the start for believers what do we need to start practicing?
Application
Where is God calling you to follow Christ's example of Steady and Sacrificial love this week? Where is he calling you to be inconvenienced for the sake of another?
Daniel 10 | What are you waiting for?
Daniel 10 | What are you waiting for?
Pray
Church of the Week
City Parish and Pastor Daniel Huskey
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Daniel 10:1-21 out loud together
Invite a few people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Take turns sharing the most memorable encounter you have had with God with your group.
Pastor Zach shared that, "if you are still here then God is working in your life." What impact does that have on your practice of seeking God?
How would it change your actions and attitudes if you knew God's greatest revelation in your life was yet to come?
How does Daniel's life of endurance and faithfulness encourage you? How does it convict you?
Discuss how you can practice the five practices demonstrated by Daniel below:
Five Practices of Daniel for Encountering God
Pray
Do not give in to fear
Set your heart upon God
Seek understanding of God's ways
Humble yourself
Application
Share the practical next steps for you to cultivate a lifestyle of encountering God. Which practices of Daniel will be most important?
John 4:1-42 | Revival Fuels the Mission
John 4:1-42 | Revival Fuels the Mission
Pray
Church of the Week
Calvary Chapel Petaluma and Pastor Zach Vestnys
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read John 4:1-42 out loud together
Invite one or more people to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What is your personal experience with evangelism? Share some stories with one another.
What would you say the simple message of the Gospel is?
How can you start sharing the Gospel as good news instead of a sales pitch to convert people?
What most needs to change in your habits and patterns to slow down so you have time to talk with others.
What are some ways you can naturally shift everyday conversations to spiritual matters.
Evangelism Encouragements
Reconsider the boundaries - what area do you feel you can’t go with the Gospel?
Build Bridges - practice looking for natural opportunities to speak about spiritual things. - practice with other believers.
Be Curious and Compassionate - simple invitation and genuine questions.
Learn to talk to people and ask good questions.
You’re not on commission but have been given the great commission
You are not in a hurry. Jesus was not in a hurry.
Application
Purpose to talk with people you don't know this week and practice asking good questions.
Practice sharing the good news of Jesus with another believer this week and pray for boldness to share with someone who is not a Christian.
Isaiah 57:15 | The God of Heaven Dwells with the Humble
Pray
Church of the Week
Adobe Christian Church and Pastor Sean O’Kelly
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Isaiah 57:15 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
When you hear the word “revival,” what thoughts or emotions come to mind—and how have those shaped your expectations of God today?
Which part of prayer do you personally find most difficult: showing up consistently, surrendering control, trusting God’s will, or waiting on Him? Why?
Isaiah 57:15 says God dwells with the “contrite and lowly.” What do you think that means in everyday terms, and how is that different from how we usually think about spiritual maturity?
The sermon emphasized that prayer isn’t about bending God’s will to ours but offering our will to Him. How does that reshape the way you think about unanswered prayers?
Application
Pick up a 21 Days of Prayer Journal and Join one of the prayer meetings at Church each week.
1 John 3:1-3 | A Reset For Your Soul
1 John 3:1-3 | A Reset For Your Soul
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Valley Baptist Church and Pastor Alan Cross
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 3:1-3 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Reset your soul by focusing on 3 areas for the new year. Identity, Beliefs, & Standards:
Identity
Where have I settled for a smaller identity than Child of God?
Where am I trying to earn approval instead of resting in God's acceptance?
Beliefs
Where am I trusting my feeling over what God has said?
What truth from God's word do I need to take hold of right now?
Standards
Where have my choices not reflected God's love?
What habits or patterns are limiting what God made for me for?
Application
Read Psalm 23:3 and prayerfully ask, "where does my soul need a reset?" Write down where you sense God is leading you in this new year.
1 John 3:1-10 | What Did Jesus Come To Destroy
1 John 3:1-10 | What Did Jesus Come To Destroy
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Church of Christ and Pastor George Robertson
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries CRU Campus Ministry, Harvest Christian School, Redwood Gospel Mission, & Salvation Army
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 3:1-10 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What would you say is the reason for the Christmas season? Does Jesus coming to destroy the works of the devil fit into your idea of Christmas?
Where do you most see the temptation to live your own way instead of living God's way?
What changed for you upon surrendering to Christ for the first time? Why do you think we get desensitized to sin as we follow Jesus?
Have you ever felt that overcoming a particular sin in your life is impossible? What helps you to believe that victory over sin is possible?
Application
Respond to the message this week by stepping into the light:
What do you need to bring into the light so you will have victory?
Where have you become acclimated to the darkness?
What pattern, belief, or habit have you learned to live with instead of walking in victory?
Confess these to the Lord and ask for His help to overcome and walk in the light. Invite a trusted brother or sister in the Lord to pray with you.
1 John 2:28-3:2 | What Kind Of Love is This
1 John 2:28-3:2 | What Kind Of Love is This
Pray
Church of the Week
Petaluma Christian Church and Pastor Ryan Oelschlager
Missionary of the Week
Shalom Christian Center on Mfangano Island
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 2:28-3:2 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Behold - Look at the love that is given
Take time to look at the love of God with fresh eyes. What is easy to miss because it is familiar but overflows your heart when meditated on more deeply
Experience God - How do you move from knowing the truths of God to experiencing them. Share a story of God ministering to you in the past that still impacts you today
See the miracle of God's Love
Do you struggle to believe that God's love is enough? Where to find yourself trying to earn or pay-back God for his love
What does it look like to receive the miracle of God's love and blessings with gratitude?
Respond to God's Love in 3 ways
Slow down (because looking takes time)
Return to wonder - thank God for 3 ordinary things.
Be filled with all the fullness of God Eph 3:18-19 - Let God overfill you on a daily basis (spend time with Him)
Find the latest discussion guide online at www.calvarypetaluma.org/discussionguide
1 John 2:18-27 | Living in the Last Hour
Pray
Church of the Week
Penngrove Community Church and Pastor Conor Anderson
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 2:18-27 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
What is your initial response on hearing that we live in the last days how does Sunday's message help give clarity?
Discuss the 3 errors to avoid in living in the last days:
It’s so far off we don’t need to worry 2 Peter 3:8-9
It’s so close we don’t need to worry
It’s so far gone there is no point in praying, evangelizing, or looking for revival.
Discuss the 3 encouragements for living in the last days:
Guard your life with truth
Live your life with purpose
Stay connected to Christ
Why is it an advantage to us that Jesus went away and sent the Holy Spirit? John 16:7-13
How can you combat drifting and follow the command of abiding by building healthy rhythms of
Prayer
Community
Obedience
1 John 2:15-17 | Loving What Lasts
Pray
Church of the Week
Village Baptist Church and Pastor Shola Akognon
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 2:15-17 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
In your own words discuss what it means that we are commanded to not love the world and at the same time we are called to love the world.
Talk honestly about where you feel the temptations of the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life.
Where do you feel the strongest pull to love the world or the things of the world more than the will of God?
Which practice feels most like an invitation from God right now? (fasting, secret generosity, seeing supernaturally, obedience you've been postponing)
What will help you cultivate a greater love for Jesus in this season?
Find the latest discussion guide online at www.calvarypetaluma.org/discussionguide
1 John 2:12-14 | The Power of Encouragement
Pray
Church of the Week
Hillside Church & Pastor Doug Manson
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries CRU Campus Ministry, Harvest Christian School, Redwood Gospel Mission, & Salvation Army
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 2:12-14 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Three Truths
Pastor Zach shared three truths from 1 John to strengthen you in the face of discouragement:
Your sins have been forgiven
You know God
Your have overcome the evil one
How do these truths encourage you in your Christian walk and in life?
Which truth is the hardest for you to believe? How can you resist the lies of Satan in that area?
Five Ways to Respond
On Sunday we were given five ways to respond to the message. Spend time in your group discussing how you can respond to each of the invitations for personal application. Be careful to avoid making general statements about how Christians in general should respond and look for specific actions and attitudes you can take in your life this next week. Share with your group and pray for one another this week as you respond.
Start and end each day in the truth - My Sins are forgiven because of His name.
Stop believing you can’t change
Embrace the messiness of Spiritual growth - read the quote from C.S. Lewis and discuss your experience and expectation of how God brings about spiritual growth.
“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”
― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Recognize you are in a spiritual battle - renovating your home in the midst of a warzone.
Seek encouragement - Look for others who are encouraging in the Christian walk and if you are in a season of discouragement start by finding someone in your life that you can encourage.
Proverbs 3:5-6 | The Posture of Faith
Proverbs 3:5-6 | The Posture of Faith
Pray
Church of the Week
Eastside Freewill Baptist Church & Pastor John Aranda
Missionary of the Week
Shalom Christian Center on Mfangano Island
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Proverbs 3:5-6 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Trust
Pastor Rob Salvato encouraged us with a posture of trust in God. What area of God's character gives you the most confidence in Him?
God as creator
God as redeemer
God as sustainer
What does it look like when you only have partial trust in God?
Share an area where you want to grow more in your trust of Him.
How can you trust God when you can't see the whole plan?
Humility
Pastor Rob encouraged a posture of humility. Where is God calling you to adopt the face-down posture of humility?
How are you being called into humility by not leaning on your own understanding.
Worry
Pastor Rob warned against worry. What are the areas that you have assumed responsibility for, that God has called you to surrender to Him?
Surrender Control
Surrender Burdens
APPLICATION:
If you find yourself in a storm - cast all your cares upon Him.
Ask God where he is calling you to pursue Jesus as a disciple and not just a believer.
1 John 2:7-11 | Light & Love
Pray
Church of the Week
City Parish & Pastor Daniel Huskey
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 2:7-11 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Overcomplicating & Under Simplifying
Have you seen other people overcomplicate or under simplify truths? Where have you been guilty of these in life?
Where are you tempted to do this with the Christian Life?
Walk in the Light with Belief, Obedience, & Love
How do Belief, Obedience, & Love work together to help us walk in the light? What happens when we only walk in one or two of these?
Three Principles for walking in the light
Pastor Zach shared three principles to help us walk in the light. Discuss with your group practical ways you can adopt these principles.
Keep the Gospel Simple & Clear
Be a True Disciple
Don't Be a Hater
What obstacles keep you from walking in these principles?
APPLICATION:
Courageously share the Gospel and don't let worry or fear keep you from speaking the simple truth.
Ask God if there is an area you are lacking depth in your spiritual walk. Share with your group or another person for accountability and study and search God's Word, spend time with God's people, and grow in spiritual depth.
1 John 2:1-6 | Love & Obedience
1 John 2:1-6 | Love & Obedience
Pray
Church of the Week
Calvary Chapel Petaluma and Pastor Zach Vestnys
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 2:1-6 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
Knowing God Through Obedience
John says, “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.”
Question: How does obedience deepen your relationship with God rather than threaten it? Can you think of a time obedience helped you “know” God more personally?
The Authority of Scripture
The sermon contrasted judging Scripture versus submitting to it.
Question: When have you been tempted to “pick and choose” from the Bible? What helps you trust God’s authority even when His Word feels uncomfortable or confusing?
The Cost of Love
“Love will always confront your will and reshape it.”
Question: In what ways has God’s love reshaped your will recently? How has surrendering to His will changed your relationships or priorities?
Spiritual Immunotherapy
The sermon ended with the idea that God heals our souls by exposing us to obedience and growth, not protecting us from it.
Question: What “small doses” of obedience is God using right now to retrain your heart? Where might He be calling you to stop avoiding discomfort and trust Him instead?
Communion and Recalibration
This past Sunday we took communion together:
Question: How does regularly remembering Christ’s obedience and love help you heal from your own spiritual overreactions? What might it look like to “recalibrate” your heart this week?
APPLICATION:
Share Practical ways you can walk out these truths in your life this week.
1 John 1:5-10 | God is Light
1 John 1:5-10 | God is Light
Pray
Church of the Week
St. John’s Anglican Church & Pastor Josh Miller
Missionary of the Week
Local Ministries: CRU Campus Ministry, Harvest Christian School, Redwood Gospel Mission, & Salvation Army
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 1:5-10 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
God is Light - What does it mean that "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all? How does this truth shape how we understand God's character and relate to Him?
If God's light defines reality, what happens when we try to define truth apart from Him?
What does "walking in the light" look like for you personally right now? Are there areas in your life where you have avoided the light of God's truth? What helps you move from hiding to honesty in those areas?
Why does John link confession with cleansing and forgiveness? What does this tell us about how grace works - and why exposure is part of healing, not just guilt?
"The light of God doesn't destroy what's true about you - it destroys what is false." What are some lies you are tempted to believe about yourself or others that God's light is challenging? What steps can you take this week to replace those lies with truth from Scripture?
Fellowship - Why do you think John connects walking in the light with fellowship among believers? What kind of relationships help you stay in the light - and what makes that kind of honesty difficult in Christian community? How could our group better reflect God's light to each other - through honesty, grace, or accountability?
APPLICATION:
Think of one or two people in your life who you can be vulnerable and transparent with?
Practice sharing and praying with them about what God is exposing in your life.
Scripture References:
2 Peter 1:4
1 John 1:1-4 | Complete Joy
1 John 1:1-4 | Complete Joy
Pray
Church of the Week
St. John’s Anglican Church & Pastor Josh Miller
Missionary of the Week
Solomon & Mabel Charwi in Kehancha, Kenya
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 1:1-4 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
1. Take turns sharing one of the happiest memory that you have?
2. Discuss a time or season where the truths of God's Word became more precious because of the circumstances surrounding you?
3. Pastor Zach shared how John puts doctrine at the center of Christian fellowship. How does doctrine build up fellowship?
4. Have you experienced the reality of community falling short of your ideal of Christian community? How can you follow John's lifelong pursuit of true fellowship with God and the Christian community even if you are discouraged?
5. Since fellowship means "to have in common," in what ways is God calling you to share more of your life with Him and more of your life with His community?
6. Is there a temporary joy that needs to fade away so you can experience the eternal unchanging joy of a life knowing God?
APPLICATION:
Pursue the ideal of life in the community of God personally and embrace the reality and challenges of life in the community of God.
Where do you need to take a step into the community of God today?
Ask God to give you true joy that makes you faithful, fruitful, and generational in you everyday activities.
What is the next step you need to take to experience that joy?
Scripture References:
John 17:3
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Jeremiah 29:11-13
1 John 5:19
1 John 1:1-5; 5:13 | 1 John Intro
Pray
Church of the Week
St. John’s Anglican Church & Pastor Josh Miller
Missionary of the Week
Shalom Christian Center on Mfangano Island
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read 1 John 1:1-5 and 5:13 out loud together
Invite one person to read the verses for the week
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
1. Who was someone you were introduced to that changed your life?
2. 1 John 1:5 says that God is light - Is there any area of your life where you've been hesitant to bring something into the light?
3. 1 John 1:3 talks about our fellowship together with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. What gets in the way of deeper community for you?
4. 1 John 1:4 says that he writes "so that our joy may be complete". How would you describe your level of joy right now? What can you do to get more connected to Jesus?
5. Who can you introduce to Jesus this week? Take time as a group to pray for each person and for boldness.
APPLICATION:
Reintroduce yourself to Jesus
Make fellowship your priority
Walk in the light that you have
Plant your life in scripture
Check your joy
Introduce someone else to Jesus
Scripture References:
1 John 5:13
John 13:23
John 20:2-4
Romans 1:16
Micah 7:9-20 | God of Love and Fury
Pray
Church of the Week
St. James & St. Vincents
Missionary of the Week
Caitlyn Christie (Hernandez) on furlough from Ministry in Guatemala
Suggested Outline for Your Group:
Share “God Stories”
Share testimonies of where you have seen God working in your life lately.
Read Micah 7:9-20 out loud together
Break it up so that everyone reads a few verses and participates.
Go through the Discussion Questions:
Don’t feel like you need to get through them all
Use the ones that are the most helpful in stirring up meaningful conversation
Make sure you save enough time to pray together
Share prayer requests
Pray for one another
Thank God for the ways He’s answered the prayers of the group lately
Invite the Holy Spirit to speak through you as you wait on Him
Discussion Questions:
1. Forgiveness
What is your experience with needing forgiveness for your sins and extending forgiveness towards others?
2. Second Exodus
Read the fulfillment of Micah 5:2 and 7:15 in Luke's description of the transfiguration. After reading Luke 9:28-36 discuss how Jesus ushers in a new exodus to free us from sin and death. How is it similar to His deliverance from Egypt? How is it better?
3. Justice
How does the Bible resolve the tension between God’s justice and His forgiveness? How does Exodus 34:6-7 and the cross help us understand God's ultimate plan? Does it challenge you to see the love and fury of God meet at the cross? Which characteristic of God is most challenging to you, God's Justice or God's Forgiveness?
4. Repentance
Discuss how repentance free's us up to experience all of God's forgiveness. In what way is repentance challenging for you?
Scripture References:
James 1:19
Exodus 34:6-7
1 John 1:9
Micah 7:15
Micah 5:2
Justice: The Foundation of a Christian Approach to Abuse By Jacob & Rachael Denhollander
https://www.fathommag.com/stories/justice-the-foundation-of-a-christian-approach-to-abuse
Find the latest discussion guide online at www.calvarypetaluma.org/discussionguide