Sunday, October 28, 2018

Flip the Switch: Paternity Test

1 John 3:1–18


Introduction

How is it possible to tell apart believers and unbelievers?


Scripture Discussion


Read verse 10. In this verse, John describes two evidences of children of God:
1. Practice Righteousness
2. Known for Love

Which one of those two is harder for you?

Practice Righteousness:

How do you distinguish between righteousness and self-righteousness?

Why is it easy to fall back into our sinful nature, yet hard to be consistently righteous?

Take the word 'practice' literally. How are you practicing righteousness?

Read verse 9. How does knowing that God's nature abides in you change your approach to sin and lawlessness?

Known for Love:

What are you known for by your family, friends or coworkers?

What drives people in our culture to be loved?

How is love really demonstrated?

To what need of others do you close your heart?

Are children of God able to produce this kind of love on their own? How is it accomplished?

How is engaging in controversies and quarrels with the world unprofitable?

Read James 1:27. What does James teach about religion?

Read Psalm 89:14-15. Why is being born of God an important art of our identity in Christ?


Next Steps

Some in your group may be enslaved to a pattern of sin. This does not necessarily mean they're not Christians, but that they need encouragement and support to help overcome it. This week may be a good time to bring up these matters with individuals in your group and encourage them to seek Christ for deliverance and support. Challenge the group to consider how they can love one another through the process of repentance.

What step will you take this week in order to practice righteousness (Move Forward)?

John provides on very practical way to love one another: meet the material needs of other believers (1 John 3:17-18). This week, as a group, prayerfully consider identifying an individual or family whose material needs you can meet. This is just one example. Feel free to explore other opportunities to love others the way Jesus has loved you.

How will you put love into action (Love Big) this week?


How To Pray This Week

Pray that your group will be encouraged to pursue righteousness and live their life in the light.

Pray that your group will respond in love when the world expresses hatred.

Pray for the group to express sacrificial love toward those in need.


Happenings

Operation Christmas Child: Shoebox Packing Party & Chicken Stew

When/Where: Sat, Nov 3rd at 3pm at REVO North

What: This is a free event (including free chicken stew for attendees), although donations to help cover shoebox shipping costs and desserts will be accepted, and kids are welcome! We’ll enjoy fellowship, pack shoeboxes with items already provided by REVO & donations, and pray for the kids who will receive the boxes.

How to help: In addition to attending, we also still need more volunteers for the event so please email Pastor Barrett (barrett@discoverrevo.com) if you’re interested in serving and he’ll connect with you volunteer leaders to find out how to be involved!

Can’t attend? We are also taking pre-orders for Chicken Stew to Go. $10 a quart and money goes to help pay for shipping costs. Have it for Sunday lunch or freeze it for the first snow day. Also make sure to return all filled shoeboxes that you/your family/your rGroup have packed yourselves to REVO by Sunday morning Oct 28 if possible or, at the very latest, by Sunday, Nov 4.

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