1 John: Real Christianity | Week Eight

Begin by sharing prayer requests and praying for one another

Read 1 John 5:13-21 aloud as a group

Sermon Overview

This week, Pastor Greg concluded the 1 John series by emphasizing that we can live with confident certainty in our faith. John uses the word "know" seven times in these nine verses to help believers have assurance about:

• We have eternal life

• God hears our prayers

• We are secure in Christ

• We are united to Him in truth

Discussion Questions:

1. How would you describe the difference between believing in eternal life as a "future destination" versus experiencing it as a "current relationship with God"? How does understanding eternal life as "knowing God" (John 17:3) change how you think about your daily walk with Christ?

2. What are some common reasons Christians doubt whether they truly have eternal life? How does verse 13 address those doubts?

3. Read verse 14 again. What does it mean to pray "according to His will"? How can we know what God's will is when we pray?

4. Verses 16-17 call us to intercede for fellow believers caught in sin. Why is this important? How can we pray for them without being judgmental?

5. The sermon used the illustration of kids "poking" versus "grabbing hold" to explain Satan's limited power over believers. How does knowing Satan cannot "grab hold" of you change how you face spiritual attacks?

6. 1 John 5 ends abruptly with "keep yourselves from idols." Why do you think John ended his letter this way? What are modern-day "idols" we're tempted to trust for security, identity, or comfort instead of Jesus?

This Week’s Discipleship Rhythm: Prayer

Petition Prayer: Turn one of your current prayer requests from a "wish list" prayer into an "alignment prayer."

Intercession Prayer: Identify one fellow believer who is struggling or caught in sin. Commit to praying for them daily this week—that God would give them life, help them confess, and experience restoration.