Sermon Discussion Questions 1) Our confidence in prayer, John tells us (5:13-14), is an expression of our assurance of salvation. How have you experienced (or not experienced) confidence in your prayer life recently? 2) John says, "if we ask anything according to his will he hears us” (5:14). How do you understand “anything according to his will”? 3) Read John 15:15-16 together. Since Jesus has appointed YOU to bear lasting fruit for God, how does this challenge your prayer life / prayer list?...
Apr 11, 2021•35 min•Season 6Ep. 15
Alex gives the children's sermon on 1 John 5:13-15.
Apr 11, 2021•5 min
Sermon Discussion Questions 1) John writes about a threefold witness to Jesus. Namely, Jesus’ public baptism and crucifixion, and the ongoing witness of the Holy Spirit (5:6) - a witness only made possible because of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (see John 16:7-8; 15:26). How do these three - water, blood and Spirit - continue to testify (5:7-8)? 2) John says God Himself testifies in this threefold witness (5:9; compare John 5:31-36; 10:24-25). Re-read 5:10. How have you experienced God's te...
Apr 04, 2021•37 min•Season 6Ep. 14
JayWil continues our 1 John sermon series.
Mar 28, 2021•28 min•Season 6Ep. 13
Alex gives the children's sermon on 1 John 5:1-5.
Mar 28, 2021•6 min
Sermon Discussion Questions 1) John says “God is love” (4:8, 16). What does that mean? How do we know that’s true? 2) As an apostle and eye-witness of Jesus, John writes “we have come to know and believe the love God has for us.” How have you personally "come to know and believe" the love God has for you in Christ? How or when do you doubt it? 3) "Perfect love casts out fear” (4:18). How have you experienced love being perfected within you? If you’re a Christian, what ways have you slipped into ...
Mar 21, 2021•35 min•Season 6Ep. 12
Stacy gives the children's sermon on 1 John 4:7-21.
Mar 21, 2021•9 min
Landon continues our sermon series through 1 John.
Mar 14, 2021•40 min•Season 6Ep. 11
Stacy gives the children's sermon on 1 John 4:1-6.
Mar 14, 2021•7 min
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, bot...
Mar 07, 2021•37 min•Season 6Ep. 10
Nate gives the children's sermon on 1 John 3:11-24.
Mar 07, 2021•7 min
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...
Feb 28, 2021•35 min•Season 6Ep. 9
Alex gives the children's sermon on 1 John 3:4-10.
Feb 28, 2021•5 min
Ant gives a sermon on John 6:1-13, 25-27, 35.
Feb 21, 2021•39 min•Season 6Ep. 8
Stacy gives the children's sermon on John 6:1-13, 25-27, 35.
Feb 21, 2021•9 min
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...
Feb 14, 2021•33 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Stacy gives the children's sermon on 1 John 2:28-3:3.
Feb 14, 2021•7 min
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...
Feb 07, 2021•35 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Nate gives the children's sermon on 1 John 2:18-27.
Feb 07, 2021•8 min
Sermon Discussion Questions 1. John lists three things in 2:15-17 that constitute "the world" (desires of flesh, desires of eyes and pride of life). How are you currently wrestling with these tendencies of the sinful flesh? 2. The Riverside elders are calling the church to a fast during Lent (see link). How do you feel about this? How is God calling you to "put off the flesh" and "put on Christ?" How can we help each other practically do that? See Colossians 3:1-17 as a helpful launching point f...
Jan 31, 2021•34 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Stacy gives the children's sermon on 1 John 2:15-17.
Jan 31, 2021•9 min
Sermon Discussion Questions 1) To love one another as we ought is to love one another with our our all (“we ought to lay down our lives for one another,” 3:16). Where do you find yourself “holding back,” in self-protection or self-preservation in ways that are ultimately unloving? What are you afraid you will lose? 2) How can we discern the difference between a Christ-like love that gives our whole selves up to God for the flourishing of one another, and a disordered love that sacrifices ourselv...
Jan 24, 2021•36 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Stacy gives the children's sermon on 1 John 2:7-14.
Jan 24, 2021•6 min
Sermon Discussion Questions 1) John, time and again, assures us that it is possible to truly know that we know God, and also gives key indicators that we can test ourselves and others by (1 John 3: 3-5). In the midst of so much misinformation and confusion about what is actually true (regarding current events), and about who is actually “on the Lord’s side”, how does this truth reassure you? 2) Can you think of a time in your life (past or present) where you’ve been the one referred to in 1 John...
Jan 17, 2021•25 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Nate gives the children's sermon on 1 John 2:3-6.
Jan 17, 2021•7 min
Sermon Questions 1) John summarizes the message he received from Jesus simply as: "God is light, in whom is no darkness at all” (1:5). What darkness do you sometimes fear might linger in God? Be honest. 2) What does it mean that Christ is our propitiation (2:2)? How is God thereby both “faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1:9)? Why is this so important for us to understand if we are to walk in the confidence of being forgiven? 3) John writes that “if we confess our sins,” then "we have fe...
Jan 10, 2021•38 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Alex gives the children's sermon on 1 John 1:5-2:2.
Jan 10, 2021•6 min
Sermon Discussion Questions 1) Read and discuss the following quote from J.I. Packer: "Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord. The world today is full of sufferers from the wasting disease which Albert Camus focused as Absurdism (‘life is a bad joke’), and from the complaint which we may call Marie Antoinette’s fever, since she found the phrase that describes it (‘nothing tastes’). These disor...
Jan 03, 2021•40 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Stacy gives the children's sermon on 1 John 1:1-4.
Jan 03, 2021•9 min
Sermon Discussion Questions 1) Read 1 Timothy 6:15-16. What does it mean that God has not and cannot be seen? 2) Read Hebrews 1:1-4. Unlike the prophets of old, who truly revealed God in part, Jesus Christ has “fully explained” God to us (John 1:18) - specifically in His incarnate life, death and resurrected glory. If we want to see God, in so far as we humans can see the fullness of His self-revelation, we must attend to the details of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. What keeps you from at...
Dec 27, 2020•49 min•Season 5Ep. 5
