1 JOHN 2:12-14
WARM UP: Recall an experience or period of time where you “grew up” in any sense.
1. JOHN’S WRITING TO CHRISTIANS IN DIFFERENT STAGES: John addresses “children,” “young men,” and “fathers.” Whether literal ages or spiritual stages, the point is that all believers are part of God’s family. Everyone begins with forgiveness and new birth, but we are called to grow beyond immaturity into maturity, resisting spiritual stagnation and embracing discipleship.
Q. How do YOU measure spiritual maturity? How do you think Christian culture measures it? Where are we on and where might we be off?
Q. Where would you place yourself in terms of spiritual maturity right now: child, young, parent? Why?
Q. What is hard about finding or providing spiritual leadership?
2. JOHN MAKES A BIG DEAL ABOUT “KNOWING GOD”: Knowing God is both relational and experiential. It starts like a child’s attachment to a parent, and grows deeper over time. Mature believers grow from knowing facts about God to truly knowing Him personally, through prayer, Bible, and experience.
Q. Recall a time where you grew in your factual or relational knowledge of God. What set the stage?
Q. Where do you struggle most with the personal relationship aspect of knowing God?
Q.R.C. Sproul says, “Every Christian is a theologian.” “Theologian” simply means the study of God, so we agree! How do we balance the study and knowledge about God factually with the personal relationship aspect? What could this look like for you as an individual specifically?
3. JOHN MAKES A BIG DEAL ABOUT OVERCOMING THE EVIL ONE: John highlights the strength of “young men” who are growing through struggle. They are strong not in themselves but because the Word of God abides in them, and they have overcome the evil one through Christ’s finished work.
Q. Read Rom 7:18-25. How should we understand the reality of our victory and struggle? If Satan is defeated, why is sin still a thing?
Q. What’s the difference between fighting for victory and fighting from victory?
Q. Read 1 Peter 5:8-9. What role does community play in helping us resist the devil and stand firm? How are you positioned for these benefits and how are you hiding?
WRAP UP: In the teaching we asked you to assess where you are in your walk, form an initial response on what a good action step would be towards growth, and to share it with someone. If time allows, use this space and setting to work that out together!