Verse 1-6: Have you ever experienced an ungrateful or unrepentant child? Why is having an ungrateful child so difficult? What behavior do we expect of our children? How do we want our children to show gratitude?
How does Jesus want us to show gratitude for the sacrifice he made? What does behavior have to do with showing gratitude?
If Jesus already took the penalty of our sin, why should we bother to worry about behaving in a certain way at all?
Romans 6:15-18 “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”
Verse 7-11: What are some key characteristics of your family? Are you lovers of the outdoors, crafty, into sports, political, musical, etc.? What are some things that define what it means to be a part of your family?
How did love change between the old covenant and the new covenant? If God didn’t change, why is John writing about love like something’s changed?
Verse 12-14: How does John’s poem describe the difference between new and mature believers? How does this compare with your view of new and mature believers?
Verse 15-17: What’s your favorite restaurant? Why?
If God made this world for us to live in it, why would John tell us not to love the world?
Do you think a love of the world is in opposition to loving God?
What is a Christian’s relationship with the world?
Verse 18-27: Have you ever had a moment with your spouse (or former spouse) where you realized that the person you thought you were marrying wasn’t actually the person you married? How did that make you feel and how did you work through it?
What does it mean to deny that Jesus is the Christ?
Are there people in your circle of influence who never seem to mature in their faith? What is our response and responsibility toward these people?
What are the ways in which modern-day Christians in America might be deceived about?
Verse 28-29: If Jesus came back today to see us face-to-face, what would he say about your life that he’s the proudest of? What are the things about your current lifestyle that you would be ashamed to have to admit to him? What is one thing in your life that you would want to change in order to have confidence you are making your Heavenly Father proud?