Abide: Our Advocate

The Rock Church: Fenton

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Abide: Our Advocate

1 John 2:1-6

January 24, 2023 • Diane Clift

Scripture is clear that if we love the Lord we will keep His commandments, so why do we struggle to keep them? How can we have a relationship with the Lord when sin is in our lives? Join us for session three as we discover how Jesus Christ, our Advocate, bridges the gap between us and the Father and grants us victory through his sacrifice on the cross.

Verses Used:

1 Corinthians 14:20

Genesis 3:21

Hebrews 9:25-26

John 14:15-16

Discussion Questions:

1. How did sin disrupt our relationship with God and what is the consequence for our sin?

2. What does an advocate do?

3. Who was the mediator between us and God in the Old Testament and how were sins covered? Why was this an imperfect system?

4. How does Jesus function as an advocate or mediator between us and God? Why can there be no other mediator except Christ?

5. How should the truth of who God is revealed to be in this week’s passage change the way we live? How should it change our attitude and heart toward our circumstances?

Abide: 1st John Conclusion

May 23, 2023 • Erin Morris

The letter of 1 John draws sharp contrasts between those who abide in life and those who remain in death. If we are to escape spiritual death, we must believe the testimony that Jesus is the true, eternal God, and the only means of salvation. As those who abide in Christ we are called to keep His commands and to love one another as He has loved us. Join us for the conclusion of 1 John as we recap what it means to ABIDE in Christ. Verses Used: 1 John 4:15 1 John 4:13 1 John 3:23-24 1 John 4:1-3 1 John 2:3-6 1 John 1:9 1 John 4:7-12 1 John 2:28 Discussion Questions: 1. Upon birth, all of us abide in the darkness/death. How is it that we come to abide in the Light/life? 2. What is the testimony about Jesus that we must believe in order to be saved? 3. If we abide in Christ, we are called to keep His commands. What does this mean? We cannot do so perfectly, what happens when we fail to keep His commands? 4. Loving one another is evidence that we abide in Christ. What is the standard of love to which we are called? 5. How does abiding in Christ give us confidence in the judgment?

Abide: Guard Yourselves

May 16, 2023 • Erin Morris

John concludes his letter by urging us to pray for those we see sinning. He then reminds his readers that the world lies in the power of the evil one, but we have nothing to fear because God Himself guards and keeps us. His parting command urges as believers, us to guard ourselves from idols and cling to the true God and eternal life we have in Christ, His Son. Verses Used: 1 John 5:16-17 Psalm 32:3-5, 1-2 John 8:23-24 1 John 5:17-21 Ephesians 2:1-7 2 Timothy 1:13-14 Discussion Questions: 1. What are we called to do for a brother or sister who is caught in is and how should we treat him or her? 2. If all unrighteousness is sin, how can we actively be in the fight to pursue righteousness? What assurance do we have that, though we sin, we will be forgiven and on what basis? (1 John 1:9) 3. What is idolatry? Can you share areas of idolatry in which you have struggled? (misplaced worship, sin, false doctrines, etc.) 4. Why is it important to guard ourselves from idols? 5. If we identify an area of idolatry in our lives, what should we do about it? How can we actively fight against it and place it in its proper place?

Abide: The Testimony

May 9, 2023 • Angela McAlister

In John’s day, as in our own, there were false teachings about who Jesus was. John aims to set the record straight by demonstrating the deity of Christ was confirmed by water, blood, and the Spirit. Each of us must decide how we will respond to this testimony and what it means to us individually. What confidence does it give us regarding our salvation, and what confidence does this give us in prayer? Join us for week sixteen as we examine the testimony regarding Christ. Verses Used: 1 John 5:6 John 1:1-2 John 16:28 1 John 5:7-8 Romans 8:15-16 1 John 5:9 John 5:31-37 1 John 5:10-11 1 John 5:12 John 3:36 John 14:6 1 John 5:13 1 John 5:14-15 John 14:6