Leader Guide Week of 8-10-08 / 1John 3:11-20

Small Group Leaders Guide
August 10, 2008

What Is Love
1John 3:11-20

Getting Started:
1. What does John mean by love one another? I mean, I love my family, I love Butter Pecan ice cream and I love the San Diego Chargers. I also love sitting in the Jacuzzi, spaghetti and meatballs, and Dancing With The Stars. How do I know what kind of love John is talking about?

Going Deeper:
2. In 1John 3:12, Cain and Abel are mentioned. Was Abel killed because he did something wrong? Read Genesis 4:1-15. What was Cain’s motivation for killing his brother? What did he stand to gain from this action?

3. In 1John 3:14, what does it mean to “remain in death?”

• John 3:17-18 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

4. According to this passage, how can a person know if he has “passed from death to life?” Is this the only sign? What other signs would indicate passing from death to life?

• Spiritual Gifts
• Fruits of the Spirit
  

5. In 1John 3:16-18, is the goal to have pity on people in need? Or, is the pity supposed to produce some type of behavior? What if you are a good Christian but have little or no material possessions?

6. Does verse 17 require us to help everyone in need? How do you know when to say when? How many needs can you address before you become the one in need? How do you know which needs to attend to and which ones not to? What about giving money to someone who might use the money to buy beer instead of food?

7. In 1John 3:15, why is hating your brother equated to murder? Is that a fair comparison? Is the comparison in Matthew 5:28 a fair one?

8. Why is it essential for followers of Christ to love each other? What does it do for us? What does it say to a watching world?

9. Read 1John 3:18. What can you do to love others in action and in truth at home? At work? With friends? What is the hardest part about doing this? What keeps us from loving others in action and in truth?

10. What does it mean to have your heart condemn you? When you feel condemned in that way, how can you put your heart at rest?

Putting it into practice:
11. In what way does love need to become a bigger part of your behavior toward others? Pray about this in your groups.

12. What’s one practical way you can show love to someone in need?

Quote Of The Week:
God does not require that each individual shall have capacity for everything.
--Richard Rothe