1 John 3:11-24

Discussion Questions:

1. Before reading and discussing the text for tonight, talk as a group about what you’ve been getting out of your reading in 1,2,3 John. Is there anything particular that God has been teaching you? Anything that has challenged the way you’re living? Specifically this week's reading has been reading and answering the question: What does this say about God? What have you noticed about God in your reading so far?

2. Read 1 John 3:11-24 together. Discuss what this passage is saying, what stands out as you read it? Once you discuss what the passage is saying, answer this as a group, What does biblical love actually look like when it's lived out? Talk as a group about the ways you want to be loved by other believers (specifically The Well community). Also discuss what you find difficult about loving other believers. In what ways do you need personal growth in your love toward brothers and sisters in Christ?

3. Read 1 John 3:14 In what ways does our love for one another demonstrate our life in Christ? Can someone be a believer in Christ and not love people? Talk as a group about how this verse challenges you in your love towards people, specifically how your love is a testimony to others.

4. Read 1 John 3:15 together. Do you think about hate as strongly as John describes it in this verse? Why or why not. Be vulnerable as a group and discuss if there is any hate in your heart towards people in your life. Challenge one another in forgiveness and hold one another accountable to go and seek reconciliation. Pause and pray before moving forward. Pray that God would help remove these feelings of hate in our hearts toward anyone that we need to reconcile with and forgive.

5. Read 1 John 3:16-18 together. What does it look like to truly ‘give up our lives for our brothers and sisters’ ? What should compassion look like practically lived out in action toward one another and towards others that have needs? Talk as a group, are you really a compassionate individual? If not, how does that need to grow in your life? Are we compassionate collectively as The Well? How can our group grow to be more compassionate toward one another and toward others that aren’t inside these circles?

6. Read 1 John 3:19-24 together. Discuss what this is saying and what stands out to you personally as you read it. Focus on 1 John 3:23-24. Read Matthew 22:36-40 and Romans 13:8-10. Discuss what the common thing highlighted in these verses is. After reading and discussing, ask this question : If my fellowship with God today is based on my love for Him and my love for other people, what would my fellowship with God look like? What needs to grow in both of those areas of my life, love for God and love for others?

2 Challenges for The Well service night next Wednesday:
1- Invite at least one person to The Well next Wednesday night. It can be someone brand new or even someone you just haven’t seen in awhile. Send a text, offer to sit with them and hangout with them through the night.
2- Don’t let someone who is newer or sitting by themselves be alone at The Well. If you’re a regular attender of The Well go and talk with people that you aren’t familiar with. It’s easy to clique up and just talk and hang with who we know. But we have to get out of our comfort zones and love some new people.