The Stream at Riverside

Stacy gives the children's sermon on 1 John 4:1-6. 

Sermon Discussion Questions 

1) If our hearts condemn us, we might have sins to confess in his presence (1Jn.1:8-2:2). Sometimes, however, our hearts still condemn us, even after we’ve confessed and received forgiveness. How then can we comfort our hearts before him? Read 1John 3:19-20 and discuss. 

2) Our actions of loving one another “in deed and in truth” (3:17-18) provide a weighty confirmation of God’s love abiding in us (3:19). How have you experienced sacrificial love within the church, both in mundane and extraordinary ways? 

3) John speaks of God’s love abiding in us (3:17). It flows in us and through us. But the fountainhead from which it flows is God’s singular act of love in Christ: “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us,” (3:16a; see also 4:9-10; John 15:13). Having received this divine love by faith, we are now obligated to "lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters” (3:16b; see also 4:11; compare 2Co.5:14-15). How has God’s love for you in Christ compelled you recently to love someone else sacrificially?

Nate gives the children's sermon on 1 John 3:11-24.

Sermon Discussion Questions 

1) John defines all sin as lawlessness (3:4) – a vicious revolt against God’s express will. What are ways you have sanitized or minimized your own sins? 

2) The whole purpose of Christ’s first appearance was to wage war on sin and Satan (3:5, 8; see also Hebrews 2:14-15). Jesus successfully conquered the power and penalty of our sin at the cross and empty tomb. But what he has worked for and in us, we are now to work out. How are you actively waging war on your sin now? 

3) The apostle argues that true Christians do not continue in sin (3:6), and even that they cannot continue in sin (3:9) because of the radically transformative relationship they have with God. Yet clearly Christians continue to sin (see 1:8, 10). What does this mean then? How have you experienced what John is describing?

Alex gives the children's sermon on 1 John 3:4-10.

Ant gives a sermon on John 6:1-13, 25-27, 35.

Stacy gives the children's sermon on John 6:1-13, 25-27, 35. 

Sermon Discussion Questions 

1) How do you imagine the last day of history will be for you? Does seeing Jesus face to face fill you with dread or comfort? 

2) What does it mean to you that, because you trust in His eternal Son, God now calls you His own, beloved child? How does this comfort you and give you confidence? 

3) Hope is often understood as simply “wishful thinking,” like wishing upon a star. But in the New Testament hope is certain, a firm anchor that grounds us (see Hebrews 6:18-19) and gives us assurance. How does our sure hope in Christ’s glorious return actually purify us (1John 3:3)?

Stacy gives the children's sermon on 1 John 2:28-3:3.

Sermon Discussion Questions 

1) Deception is a real danger for all of us - no less so now than when John wrote (2:18-19, 2:26). Jesus said that the deception in the last days will be so powerful as to "lead astray, if possible, the elect.” Our Lord concludes: "But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand,” (Mark 13:22- 23). Have you yourself ever fallen into deep deception? Has a friend or family member fallen so far as to even walk away from faith? How has that affected you? 

2) The lie of the antichrist is fundamentally a denial of Jesus Christ. That is to say, it denies that Jesus of Nazareth - born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate - is the eternal Son of God, the Holy One (as Peter confesses in John 6:69). How does the American gospel of 'upward mobility' deny Jesus’ self-emptying incarnation and death (see Phil.2:1-8)? 

3) How does the gospel word “abide” in us now (see 2:14)? How do we follow John’s command to “let that which you heard from the beginning abide” or continue to "dwell” in us (2:24)?