I’m publishing this early so you have more time with it.
PAIGE SWITCHES FROM THE LES MIS METAPHOR TO A MARATHON METAPHOR:
Because we have been born of God, His Spirit in us is the engine that helps us run.
As we run we become confident that we know Him.
John keeps holding up signs as we run to encourage us.
She also referred to this famous scene. Liddell was famous for the way he ran, throwing his head back when he felt God’s pleasure. She used this to illustrate 1 John 5:3 and the contrast between Harold Abraham and Eric Liddell.
Remember: We start The Jesus Who Surprises Next Sunday! Please get your book.
Sunday:
- How have you felt God’s pleasure this week? Or for what can you thank Him?
Monday: Review for Is He For Real?
Her final was so good as a review, so that’s how I’ll handle it this week.
2. Paige said “This is not a water only gospel, but the blood. What Scripture was she referring to and how does this make Christianity different from all religions?
3. Michael Card changed the lyrics to Jesus Loves Me to “Jesus loves me, this I know, and not just because the Bible tells me so.”
A. How does John testify in the opening verses of 1 John that Jesus is for real?
B. How do you know outside of the Bible that Jesus is for real?
Tuesday: GRAB ON AND KEEP ON!
4. Grab On and Find at Least 3 signs in 1st John that tell us we are loved.
5. Keep On using the signs in 1 John 2:12-14 to encourage us to persevere. What are they?
6. Considering false teachers, why do you think John emphasizes the importance of staying with what we know “from the beginning?”
7. Paige thought that little children, fathers, and children applied to all of us. I’m not so sure. What do you think and why?
8. We must fight our sense of inadequacy. Has 1 John 3:19-20 helped you with this? Be specific if it has.
9. Abide, Act, Ask
A. Abide: What does it mean? Find one promise about it in 1 John.
B. Act: Words are not enough. How do you see this in 1 JOhn 3:16-18. Are you becoming more obedient? If so, give an example.
C. Ask: She gave examples of asking in prayer within His will. Give examples of specific prayers you know are in His will.
D. What does 1 John 5:14-15 promise?
Wednesday: LOOK ON
10. PAIGE’S FAVORITE SIGN IS “YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS” FIND IT IN 1 JOHN 3:1
11. When you watch Chariots of Fire, what prize were Eric Liddells’ eyes on? How was he different from Harold Abraham, at least in the movie.
12. Do you remember what she said to her daddy when he was dying?
13. Have you set your affections on things above or on things below? Explain.
14. How was God the engine for Eric Liddell? For you?
15. She clarified that John is all about doing, not just watching the marathon. Give some evidence of this from 1 John.
Thursday: Regardless of What Happens, Keep On
Here’s another clip from Chariots that actually happened in real life, confirmed by World Athletics. He won after falling by six yards.
16. We all fail, we all sin, but the one who has God’s seed in Him will get up and go on. Summarize 1 John 3:4-10.
17. How else can we keep going when we fail according to 1 John 1:9?
What I have found is that when I truly blow it, when I truly repent, God gives me beauty for ashes. I had to truly repent to a pickleball player last week and it first she was cold, but then she wrote me a beautiful forgiving e-mail, and we are closer than ever.
18. Share a time when God turned your ashes into beauty.
19. Obedience shows up in our calendars, bank account, vacations, and habits. Why?
20. How does 1 John end. How does this even make sense?
Friday: Don’t Run Scared
21. She spent just a little time on the controversial 1 John 5:16-17. She interpreted in the context of false teaching. What do you remember?
John Stott’s interpretation is similar, saying there are those who say they are brothers but do not live it out for in their hearts they have committed the unforgiveable sin of rejecting their lifeline in Christ, blaspheming His Spirit.
22. What are your thoughts on this passage?
23. She gave an illustration from a friend with a forty year old disabled son and how his dad spent the day with him. Seemed very boring day but the son loved it, so the father did as well. She said there was no need to ask if the father loved his son. Point?
24. What is the assurance of 1 John 3:2?
25. She said if your assurance wavers dive more into Him. How is this supported by 1 John 4:18?
Saturday:
26. Share 3 things about God of which you were reminded.
27. How have you changed, if you have, as a result of this study?