Guard the Purity of the Gospel Message Because . . . (1:3-5, 18-19; 3:9, 15; 6:20)

I. God Offers a Free Salvation to the World by the Sacrifice of His Son! (1:15-16; 2:4-6)

II. What we Truly Believe we will always Do! (1:8-11; 4:6-7, 16-17; 6:3)

III. False Teachings are an Ever-present Threat to the Church and Her Mission! (1:3, 6-7, 19-20; 4:1-2)

IV. It Limits Accusations against our Faith! (2:1-4; 3:7; 4:16; 5:7-8; 6:1, 14)

Practical Implications

o What parts of the Scripture are you tempted to doubt, minimize or ignore?

o What would growing faith look like in your life, relationships?

o What areas of your life have potential to negatively affect lost and immature?

Prioritize Everyday Disciple-making this Semester . . .

I. This Semester view your Life through Missionary Eyes! (18-19a)

II. This Semester Root your Identity in the Trinity and Invite Others to as Well! (19b)

III. This Semester Grow in not Just Knowledge, but also Obedience! (20)

Practical Implications

o Where would you say you are currently as a disciple of Jesus? Growth you’ve seen? Growth needed?

o What identity most tempts you from Christ to a different way of defining yourself? Specifically, How is Jesus’ identity better?

o How would you rate your application and obedience life? Why?

The Gospel Frees us to be Transparent with our Sin . . .

I. How can Sin be Dealt with? Confession that Cleanses not Denial! (5-10)

II. What is the Goal? Grace-Based Pursuit of Holiness not Performance-Based Relationship to God! (2:1-2)

III. So Come out of Hiding in your Relationships!

Practical Implications

o How do you deal w/ your own sin most often?

o How can cultivate a confession and repentance lifestyle?

o Complete handout on repentance.

The Gospel makes us free to grieve without despair because:

I.      In Christ, we have a ____________ hope. (v. 3)

II. In Christ, we have a sure _____________. (vv. 4-5)

III. In Christ, we have a ______________ in suffering. (vv. 6-7)

The Gospel Sets us Free from the Deadly Idols of The Heart…

I. Drifting to Our Idols leaves us Increasingly Empty, Dry and Fruitless! (5-6)

II. Actively Believing Jesus leads to Blessing, Stability and Fruitfulness even when Life is Hard! (7-8)

III. Trusting your Heart is Dangerous, but Trusting the Lord with your Heart is Freedom! (9-10)

Practical Implications

o What are the top few idols you identified? How do they show up in your life?

o What would a repentance plan look like for one idol you discover?

o Invite the Lord to search you, know you and reveal sin to you!

The Gospel Sets Us Free to Treasure Christ . . .

I. Jesus is a Treasure who gives us His Righteousness through a Living Union! (8c-9)

II. Jesus is a Treasure we get to Know and Experience in Relationship! (10-11)

Practical Implications

o What did you value most in your life prior to Jesus? What about now?

o What does it mean to you personally that you can rest in Jesus’ righteousness by faith vs. your own works?

o How much do you desire to experience more of Jesus? How are you pursuing that?

At this very moment, with all your baggage, talents, short-comings and promise, who are you in the eyes of the Lord?

The Father’s Heart Loves us as Sons . . .

I. The Father is For us not Against us! (Rom 8:31-33)

II. The Father Knows our Frailty, He doesn’t look for our Strength! (Ps 103:13-14)

III. The Father Gives what is Ultimately Good, not what we want to Live apart from Him! (Matt 7:9-11)

Practical Implications

o What is your view of the Father’s posture towards you?

o What are some ways strength and self-reliance show up in your life?

o Describe the Father’s true heart towards His people.

God's Fundamental Attribute Is Love . . .

I. Who Created to Multiply the Experience of His Love from Eternity Past!

II. Who Judges All Ungodliness out of a Love for Our Greatest Pleasure!

III. Who Redeems Sinners so We Can Experience the Fullness of His Love!

Practical Implications

o When was the last time you slowed down enough to enjoy the Creator b/c of His creation?

o In what ways are you treating God like a distant Grandfather? What in your heart is competing for your affections?

o In what ways are you treating God like a distracted Father? How are you trying to earn God’s love?

Grace Empowers our Transformation . . .

I. By Grace we were Saved ! (11, 14)

II. By Grace we Continually are Turning from Sin to God Pleasing Lives! (12)

III. By Grace we Await Jesus’ Return with Hope and Expectation ! (13, 15)

Practical Implications

o Identify what plays through your mind in failure, success, work? Speak gospel identity daily!

o What are the top few sin patterns that show up in your life? What would faithfulness and obedience look like where you are?

o What abiding, loving or serving is the gospel prompting you to today?