I’m fairly certain Paige is not teaching this Wednesday due to their Fall break, but she usually leaves her teaching up, so I’m going to go through last week’s talk and Scriptures, slowly. I hope I’m right! If I’m wrong, just do this lesson and I’ll figure next week out! You can listen again if you like, or simply do the questions. If I’m right, you have 10 days to do this. For that reason, I’ve divided into parts rather than days.
Paige referenced how fairy tales always end with a Happily Every After ending. I do love her words in this closing of one Cinderella movie, for it reminds me of what we bring to Christ – and yet, if we have trusted Him, the slipper fits.
Paige’s point, however, was that when they are saved from the penalty of sin, many Christians see the gospel as
the ENDING,
rather than
the ENGINE,
for living righteously, and being delivered from the power of sin.
Sunday:
- Share a way the Lord has been with you, helped you to walk as He walks, or has simply blessed you? Have Paiges’s teaching on 1 John helped you? If so, be specific.
Part I: Obedience Evidences a Real Relationship
Paige Brown and Tim Keller seem to help me so much in my relationship with the Lord. John’s emphasis on walking in the light with Paige’s exposition, has helped me truly be more in the light. I loved how Paige talked about how our children’s imperfect offerings to us are readily accepted by us, because of our love for them. My offerings to the Lord are so imperfect, yet He is pleased. He is pleased that I am talking less and listening better. He is pleased that I am overlooking slights in love. The gospel is the engine for me for it shows me how loved I am and makes me want to walk in the light.
2. Read 1 John 2:1-6
A. How does verse 1 show that being saved from the penalty of sin is not the end of the gospel story?
B. Why is John writing this letter according to verse 1? What should we do the moment we realize we have sinned?
C. What does propitiation mean?
D. How do you know if you have come to know Him according to verse 3? Give one example of your obedience from this last week.
E. How was the gospel the engine for your above obedience?
F. Paige said that obedience is the result of a real relationship — how does verse 4 show that?
G. What are the two promises of verse 5?
H. The engine for obedience is abiding, and then His life flows through us. How do you see that
Part II: Paternity, Presence
Paige loves alliterations and this is a good one. We’ll do Paternity and Presence today and Power and Purpose tomorrow.
Paternity
3. Some believe everyone is a child of God, but John’s gospel makes it clear we must be born again, born of God. Now John is writing to those who are believers. How do you see this, and also how it should be evidenced, in the following verses?
A. 1 John 2:1
B. 1 John 2:15
C. 1 John 3:1
D. 1 John 3:9
4. I love 1 John 3:9, because John says we cannot keep on (or practice) sinning for God’s seed is in us! Wow. We will have lapses, but God’s seed is the engine that enabled us to not make a practice of it. Share an area where you may have relapses, but as so much better!
Presence
The most used word in 1 John is abide – -meaning abiding in His Word and in Him all through the day. My friend Twila, who has memorized 13 books of the Bible including Romans and 2 Corinthians, says she does it because she senses his presence.
5. What promise comes with abiding according to 1 John 3:6, and repeated in 3:9?
6. Are you abiding more than you did in the past? Explain.
Part III: Power and Purpose
Power
7. Paige simply gave some of the names of the One who lives in us. Here were two:
A. Redeemer — give an example of how Jesus redeemed a real mess or just something you did somewhat messily, like raising your children, or taking care of your body.
B. Creator — give an example of how Jesus helped you create something: a lesson plan, a poem, a song, a dance, a garden…
Purpose
8.What is one purpose for which Jesus came according to 1 John 3:4-5? What does lawlessness mean?
Dennis Prager has a book called If There is Not God. He says without God, how do we know right from wrong? Who decides? If you say common sense, that means we probably should fatally inject the elderly and use the money for figuring out to conquer cancer and other diseases — but God says we are made in His image and life is precious.
9. What is one way Scripture illumined you either early on or more recently to something you might not have realized was wrong or right?
10. For what purpose did Jesus come according to 1 John 8? What are some of the works of the devil?
11. What is one purpose of God for which God has given you a passion? For me it is evangelism — what is it for you?
Part IV: Do Not Love the World
12. What does it mean not to love the world, since we know “God so loved the world?”
13. Read 1 John 2:15-17
A. If we love the world, what does that show according to verse 15?
B. Paige reminded us of Keller’s teaching of the Greek word “epithumia” which is often translated “desire” or “lust” means an overwhelming passion for something, which is why even good things can become sin if you are obsessed with food, sex, exercise, looking good, a beautiful home, success… Where have you had epithumia for something good that has become an idol and hurt you?
C. What are two reasons, according to verses 16 and 17 that we should be on guard about loving the world?
D. Paige gave the following examples — choose one that convicts you and which you can ask the Father to help you overcome.
- Great lengths not to look foolish
- Material results more important than eternal rewards
- Be in a frenzy instead of trusting God
- Praise of man more than praise of God
Part V: Habits of the Heart
14. John’s emphasis is on not practicing sin, rather than never sinning. When will we become perfect according to 1 John 3:2-3? How should this promise be an engine for not practicing sin?
15. Read 1 John 3:4-10
A. Look for the repetition of these phrases in this passage: “practice” “keeps on” or “continues” depending on your translation. What is John clarifying?
B. What did Paige mean when she said this is a lifestyle and not a lapse? What besetting sin has become a lifestyle for you?
C. What there a lifestyle sin or a habit of the heart that God gave you victory (not perfection) over? Share what it was and how He gave you victory.
16. What was the point of Paige’s wedding registry story? How would you apply it?
17, It is the unbeliever’s “righteousness” that is like filthy rags, for it is not done for God. But Paige said our righteousness, though done imperfectly, is a fragrant offering to the Lord. She compared it to her children’s offerings to her. What thoughts do you have about this?
Part VI.
18. What is your God-Shot? Take-a-way?
16 comments
She did tack onto the end of this week’s teaching that she will NOT be teaching this coming week.
I heard that too Chris.
That’s a relief — I must have turned it off too soon.
Sunday:
Share a way the Lord has been with you, helped you to walk as He walks, or has simply blessed you? Have Paiges’s teaching on 1 John helped you? If so, be specific.
LOVE that version of Cinderella, Dee! What she says is perfect for what we bring to Christ. Tim Keller said something about Jesus being the true reality to which all fairy tales point. The gospel has a structure similar to fairy tales with a rescue, sacrifice and a happy ending. More about this later…..
Paige’s teaching is helping me lately in many ways.
1. Circumstances related to my health cause stress on my marriage and I was feeling angry in response to my husband’s actions this weekend-not because what he did was meant to hurt me, but because the circumstances are painful. My true anger was really towards God at its roots. Because of Paige’s teachings I could see this more quickly and clearly and verbalize this to my husband. In the past, I might have taken days to get past this or even longer, but because of what I have learned, I could look at my heart and see what was really happening. I could speak the truth into the situation, acknowledging that I am not happy about my lot in life and I was blaming God. I asked the Lord for forgiveness and had a restoration with my husband. My husband was able to be more tender and understanding in our relationship. Today and going forward I can speak truth to my heart from God’s word and find the peace I need to keep the anger and sadness at bay.
2. I have shared already about how God is putting my faith to the test with many trying circumstances and I am forced between the two choices of either to fall into anxiety and fear or “get into the wheelbarrow” and put on God’s armor with the belt of truth firmly buckled around my waist.
3. The truth test has been so helpful for me to discern all that is going on with our son-in-law. He has grown up in the faith, going to church, Christian school, etc. and he knows all the right things to say, but his actions are lacking in the fruit of the spirit. Praise God my husband was asked to meet with him last night and had the opportunity to speak to him about this. Praying now that he gains wisdom and power from the Holy Spirit to move forward in his faith, if he truly has accepted Christ as he insists he has. (This is the one who went to a treatment facility for alcohol and has now moved in with his mom and is looking for a solution to his problem with his marriage to our daughter.)
Love your contemplative heart, Chris — and how God seems to be guiding with your son-in-law. Agree with your prayers for him.
Your post made me cry dear Chris. Thank you for being so honest and vulnerable. God is moving in your life, in so many ways, and reading your post has giving me strength, hope and encouragement. Thank you for sharing these things, it has meant so much to my current struggles. This study has truly helped me to focus on Jesus, Who is the One I need relationship with, above all else. Praying for your husband’s words to your SIL.
1. Share a way the Lord has been with you, helped you to walk as He walks, or has simply blessed you? Have Paiges’s teaching on 1 John helped you? If so, be specific.
I haven’t really been able to keep up with the schedule here for some reason. I am listening to the weekly lessons, writing notes when I can, but I’m used to our Sunday to Sunday and struggling with the Wednesday to Wednesday. So, I haven’t done my notes for the second half of her lesson yet and I am thankful we have a break and can break down the lesson! She is speaking at a much higher level (I think?) where I am not always getting it. Ugh. I think one thing that is throwing me off is her not being chronological in her readings.
I suppose what my biggest takeaway is, is that we should not sin. It has made me reflect on my specific sin and is making want to do better for Him. I am taking a step to become a better me, for Him, because of her lesson.
That’s great Laura. One woman in our study said, “Every once in a while I realize, I’m not watching those shows anymore, I’m not feeling so angry at people…” and I know it’s the Lord in me.
I know what you mean, Laura. I am used to her regular format, so I miss some things.
2. Read 1 John 2:1-6
A. How does verse 1 show that being saved from the penalty of sin is not the end of the gospel story?
We have Jesus as our advocate. He is pleading our case to the Father.
B. Why is John writing this letter according to verse 1?
To save us from sin.
What should we do the moment we realize we have sinned?
Run to the Father.
C. What does propitiation mean?
To appease the wrath of God.
D. How do you know if you have come to know Him according to verse 3?
If we obey His Commandments, we know Him.
Give one example of your obedience from this last week.
I was kinder than usual to my husband 😉. He and I teach Awana together. He wasn’t feeling well and I told him to stay home from teaching and that I would take care of the class. He normally would stick it out.
I think a better one is that I have been tutoring our daughter in chemistry, as she is trying to enter a nursing program (that is really not appropriate for her brain). She has never really had the intelligence for this kind of thing, and I tried to get her to go towards other careers, but she won’t listen to me. So, she is learning the hard way, by not passing the first test. It’s funny, now that I think of it, that she struggled in cosmetology with the same class, but wouldn’t tell me, so I never could help her way back then. I don’t know when she will figure out that she needs to do something more for her “level.” It hurts my heart, to be honest. She wants to be better so she can earn more money to be able to afford the kids, but she is lacking. I’m guessing that I should just be praying she knows God better if I’m learning anything from Paige’s teaching. God has ways that we cannot imagine, right?
I laughed out loud at “kinder than usual to my husband”
1. Share a way the Lord has been with you, helped you to walk as He walks, or has simply blessed you? For some reason I usually struggle to think of something in answer to this question. I think that it is because I’m usually trying to find some spectacular or profound event that I experienced and that doesn’t always happen.
The Lord has blessed me in the ordinary things this week. Things like getting to work on time when I thought that I was going to be late, having the dish that I was making for a church lunch turn out nice, having a day watching 7 of my grandkids (ages 11 to 5 months) turn out wonderful with no fighting, no acting up at bedtime and even the baby being quiet and settled even though she was getting bottles instead of mommy!
2. Have Paige’s teaching on 1 John helped you? If so, be specific. She has reminded me to examine whether my acts of obedience are done out of a sense of duty or fear of punishment or if they are a loving response to my relationship with the Lord.
That’s a great specific, Dawn.
I am not sure how often I can post this week. I have medical procedures (nothing serious) and am going to a retreat on Friday. I will be reading all the comments. Thank you, Dee, for providing what I’m sure will be an excellent review.
2. Read 1 John 2:1-6
A. How does verse 1 show that being saved from the penalty of sin is not the end of the gospel story? John says not to sin, but IF you do (implying future temptations), Jesus is our advocate. We are not left on our own. He is STILL working for our good.
B. Why is John writing this letter according to verse 1? What should we do the moment we realize we have sinned? One of his reasons is that we obey and not fall into sin. We need to run to the LIGHT, Jesus, and confess our sin.
C. What does propitiation mean? Jesus is our sin offering, atonement
D. How do you know if you have come to know Him according to verse 3? Give one example of your obedience from this last week. We know Him if we are walking in the LIGHT and living a life of obedience. This may seem inconsequential, but when Gary started talking about one of his household projects (that I had absolutely no interest/understandin of), I squelched the temptation to tune him out. Instead I kept eye contact and listened closely TRYING to understand.
E. How was the gospel the engine for your above obedience? Jesus humbled Himself in obedience, and I need to be humble and loving.
F. Paige said that obedience is the result of a real relationship — how does verse 4 show that? If someone is not living a godly life and claims to KNOW the Lord (have a relationship with Him), that person is lying (to themself and others). A true relationship produces obedience.
G. What are the two promises of verse 5? The love of God is accomplished/perfected IN the one who lives an obedient life. My life of freely given obedience (out of love) is proof (for myself and those around me) that I know Him.