SUNDAY MORNING (September 23rd) - "That You May Know"Abide in the Doctrine of Christ (2 John)what do you think John is implying with this introduction: "The elder to the elect lady and herchildren" (1:1)?In your own words, what role does "truth" play in 1:1-2?Practically speaking, what does it mean to "walk in the truth" (1:4)?Why does John repeatedly return to the "love one another" imperative in his writings (1:5)?In your own words, what does it mean to "walk according to his commandments" (1:6)?why is denying "the coming of]esus Christ in the flesh" such a serious offense (1:7)?How would you summarize the message of 1:8? What does it mean to "watch" ourselves, and howdo we go about doing it?"Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for ..." (1:8). What can we learnfrom that second phrase? What would it mean to "lose" in this context?What is the message of 1:9 and why is it important?Why would John warn and prescribe what he does in 1:10-11?

SUNDAY MORNING (September 16th) • "That You May Know"That You May Know (1 John 5:13-21)What is "eternal life" and what does it mean to "know that you have" it (5:13)?How would you explain the message of 5:14 in your own words?What should we make of 5:15? Does this mean that we will receive anything we ask of God? If not,why not?In what way is "all wrongdoing" sin (5:17)?What is "a sin not leading to death," and what should a brother "ask" of God on the committer'sbehalf (5:16a)?On the other hand, what is a "sin that leads to death," and why would John write, "I do not saythat one should pray for that" (5:16b)?In your own words, summarize and convey the good news of 5:18.In what way does "the whole world" lie "in the power of the evil one" (5:19)?What does John want us to remember, believe, and anchor ourselves to in 5:20?Why would John conclude his letter in the way that he does (5:21)?

SUNDAY MORNING (September 2nd) • "That You May Know"Test the Spirits (1 John 4:1-21)Why can Christians not afford to "believe every spirit" (4:1a)?Practically speaking, what does it mean to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God"(4:1b)?On what authority can John assert that "many false prophets have gone out into the world"(4:1c)?How would you summarize, in your own words, what John is warning about and prescribing in4:2-6?---- ~------------------- --In what way is "love from God" (4:7)?What is a "propitiation" (4:10)?"By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit" (4:13).What does this mean?What is John communicating when he writes, "By this is love perfected with us" (4:17)?Why is there "no fear in love" (4:18a)?"Whoever fears has not been perfected in love" (4:18b). In what way?

SUNDA Y MORNING (August 26th) • "That You May Know"Love in Deed and in Truth (1 John 3:11-24)"For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning ..." (3:11) In what way?Why does God care so much about our loving one another?What should Christians remember about and learn from Cain (3:12)?Why shouldn't Christians be surprised when the world "hates" us (3:13)?In what way have we "passed out of death into life" (3:14a)?____ ~oever:does not lo~e _abides in c!eath'_~(3:14b).wtI is this the only other alternative? _How could John possibly be justified in asserting that "everyone who hates his brother is amurderer" (3:15)?How does Jesus' sacrifice define the very essence of "love" (3:16)?Can you provide some examples of ways that disciples might sometimes "love in word or talk" butnot "in deed and in truth" (3:18)?What should we make of 3:19-22?"And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us" (3:24). What doesthis mean?

SUNDAY MORNING (August 19th) • "That You May Know"We are God's Children (1 John 2:28-3:10)When John counsels Christians to "abide" in the Son, what does he mean (2:28)?What does it mean to "practice righteousness" (2:29)?"The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him" (3:1). On what basis canJohn make this assertion?Why does John say, "Beloved, we are God's children now" (3:2)? Why the "now"?What is John talking about in 3:2?How does this truth lead the one who "hopes" in God to "purify" himself (3:3)?What does it mean to "practice sinning" (3:4)?What should we make of 3:6?What can we learn from 3:8?What is "God's seed," referenced in 3:9?Why is it important that the identities of "the children of God" and "the children of the devil"would become "evident" (3:10)?

SUNDAY MORNING (August 12th) • "That You May Know"This is the Antichrist (1 John 2:18-27)WhenJohn warns these "children" that "it is the last hour," what does he mean?What should we make of lohn's reference to "antichrist" and "many antichrists" in 2:18?

SUNDAY MORNING (August 5th) • "That You May Know"Do Not Love the World or Its Things (1 John 2:15 ..17)Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the loveof the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh andthe desires of the eyes and pride in possessions-is not from the Father but is fromthe world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever doesthe will of God abides forever. (I John 2:15-17)In everyday terms, what does it mean to "love the world" and "the things in the world"?why is loving the world and its things such a serious issue that disciples of Christ would bewarned in this way?why is it either "the world" or "the Father"? Why can't it be both?__ In what way is "the love of the Father [not "in" a disciple who loves the world?What does John mean when he references:• The desires of the flesh?• The desires of the eyes?• Pride in possessions (or the pride of life)?

"Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, ·but an old commandment that you had fromthe beginning" (2:7). What does this mean?"At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and inyou, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining" (2:8). Why wouldJohn first say, "I am writing you no new commandment," then say, "at the same time, it is a newcommandment that I am writing to you"?How can a brother or sister in Christ come to transgress the warning of 2:9? .What does "loving" your brother have to do with "abiding in the light" (2:10)?

"This is the message we have heard from him" (1 John 1:5). Why is this an important preface to what John is aboutto say? "This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you" (1 John 1:5). Is it enoughsimply to lead a good, moral life? Must the message be proclaimed or can the gist of the message be lived out in front of others with the hope that, if they're interested, they'll inquire?

1 John 1:1-4 (KJV) 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.