February 14, 2016
Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:19-21
19We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
21Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
Questions for Reflection:
One of the themes of John’s writings has been understanding who Jesus was and believing in what He accomplished through His life and death. The group that was causing dissent within John’s church were afoul in this area. He wanted to make sure that he not only corrected them, but emboldened the faithful. As John writes his final sentences in this letter, where do you see that instruction coming out? What does John write about Jesus and what it means to follow him in his closing remarks?
John concludes his letter by writing a simple but important sentence. What is his final instruction? What is idolatry? Tim Keller wrote a stellar book on the subject called Counterfeit Gods. In the video below, he explains how idolatry applies to our culture today.
Where do you see idolatry happening in the world around you? What are the things that you are tempted to worship in your life? What good things have a way of becoming an ultimate thing in your life? Is there something that if it were taken from you that you feel like you could no longer go on living? If so, there is a chance that item (or person) is your god.
Over the course of the last five weeks, we’ve studied John’s first letter to the church. As you think back on what you’ve learned and how God has spoken to you so far this year, what have you learned? Where has God pushed you, prodded you? Where have you grown? What areas of your life have you learned to leave behind? How has God challenged your life through this book? Finally, who have you shared that with? God teaches us, shapes us and acts in our life not just for our benefit, but for others. A part of discipleship is helping others learn to trust and follow Jesus. Who have you passed what you learned on to?