1 John: Real Christianity | Week Five
Begin by sharing prayer requests and praying for one another
Read 1 John 3:11-24 aloud as a group
Sermon Overview
This week, Pastor Travis explored the essential evidence of authentic Christian faith: love for one another in the church. Using the story of Cain and Abel, we saw the contrast between two spiritual families—those who belong to the evil one and those who belong to God. True love isn't just sentiment or words; it's costly, sacrificial action modeled after Jesus laying down His life for us.
Discussion Questions:
How does the story of Cain and Abel illustrate the difference between religious activity and genuine faith? What was the core difference between their offerings?
Pastor Travis said, "The church isn't something you go to; it's a family you belong to." How does this shift in perspective change how we think about church involvement?
Be honest: How do you currently think about the people at Constance? Are you indifferent, unknown, actively loving, or somewhere in between?
The sermon mentioned that "sin isn't cute—it wants to destroy you." What are some ways our culture treats sin as harmless or even attractive? How can we guard against minimizing sin in our own lives?
What is one specific way you can show costly, sacrificial love to someone in this church family this week? (Examples: time, resources, presence, service)
If you're feeling convicted about a lack of love for others in the church, what concrete step can you take this week? Consider:
Inviting someone to coffee or a meal
Serving in a ministry area
Reaching out to someone who seems isolated
Joining a community group or small group
This Week’s Discipleship Rhythm: Serve the Community
Look for a practical need in the church and meet it (childcare, setup/teardown, meal train, etc.).
Prayer
Thank God for His costly, sacrificial love demonstrated in Jesus. Ask for the Holy Spirit to grow genuine love in our hearts for one another. Ask for courage to take practical steps of love this week