The True and Abundant Life
Foundational Truth: I John 5:12-13
Those who HAVE the SON have LIFE.
Those who don’t HAVE the SON don’t have LIFE.
ABUNDANT LIFE leads to:
I. VICTORY in the Midst of SUFFERING (5:1-11)
A. LOVE gives us HOPE (5:4-5; Rom. 8:31-39)
B. God’s COMMANDS give us a DIRECTION (5:3; Matt. 11:28-30)
C. JESUS gives us a GUIDE (5:6-10; I Peter 2:21-24)
II. CONFIDENCE in the Midst of BROKENNESS (5:13-17)
A. REFINING our REQUESTS (5:14-15; Matt. 7:7; John 16:24)
B. PRAYING for REPENTANCE (5:16; James 5:19-20)
III. KNOWLEDGE in the Midst of UNCERTAINTY (5:18-20)
A. SIN is not the END of the STORY (5:18; 1:8-10)
B. We are in the SAFEST PLACE we can be (5:19; John 10:14-18)
C. Jesus POINTS us to the TRUTH (5:20; John 14:6)
IV. IDOL Chatter (5:21)
A. “LOVE is GOD” (4:16; 5:6)
B. “You Will Not SURELY DIE” (5:16; Gen. 3:4)
C. “You STILL Have to EARN it” (5:18-20; Eph. 2:8-9)
Questions for Further Reflection:
1. Kid’s Question: How do we know that Jesus is the Son of God?
2. How does the duality of those who have life and those who don’t sit with you? How does it align with Scripture? How does it align with your lived experience?
3. If you had to describe abundant life in one sentence, what would it be?
4. What is one way you have experienced victory in the midst of suffering?
5. When have you experienced confidence in the midst of brokenness?
6. What, to you, is the greatest knowledge you can have in the midst of uncertainty?
7. In what ways does idolatry appeal to you? Do they go after pleasure, ego, security, etc.?