Life Groups // Fall 2025 // Week 4
Posted September 26, 2025 — Lincoln Berean
Loving the Father Together // 1 John 2:12-17
Introduction
In our passage this week, John describes two value systems – the way of the world and the will of God. The one we choose to adhere to makes all the difference in our lives now and in the age to come.
Study Questions (to complete on your own)
1) Read 1 John 2:12-17 in a couple different translations of Scripture. Make note of words or phrases that are repeated. What is the purpose of the repetition in each case it is used?
2) Look back over 1 John 1:1 – 2:11 and write down all the names John uses to describe Jesus. What is the significance of each one?
3) Compare 1 John 2:15 to James 4:4 and Matthew 6:24. What is the sobering message of these verses?
4) Summarize the main point of this passage in your own words.
Discussion Questions (with your group)
1) In 1 John 2:12-14 John uses language for a spiritual family that also can be used to describe a physical family. How can a family of origin be similar to a spiritual family and how might they be different?
2) In the Bible, forgiveness is described on two levels. How did Pastor Clark describe them (verse 12)?
What has your experience with each of the levels of forgiveness been?
What questions are stirred up for you personally when it comes to issues of forgiveness?
3) Verses 15-17 are significant verses in the New Testament that help us understand the world's system and how God calls us to live in it while pursuing an intimate relationship with Him. How did Pastor Clark explain each of these descriptive phrases?
Lust of the flesh-
Lust of the eyes-
Boastful pride of life-
What kinds of behaviors or attitudes would be obvious in a person who loves the world?
4) What makes it difficult for you to break free from the system of the world?
Think for a minute about how God might be seeking to help you Grow and Multiply this year.
As you think about growing spiritually, what practical steps can you begin today to embrace God's way of living? (hint: take a look at the Personal Spiritual Exercises below)
What difference can you make in the lives of others by helping them grow as well?
Personal Spiritual Exercises
Just like physical exercises help strengthen and stretch our bodies for healthy living, these spiritual exercises are meant to move us spiritually in ways that may be new so that we might experience inner growth. Since God longs for us to experience Him with our whole selves—mind, body, spirit— we invite you to strengthen your souls with exercises that challenge and stretch you in new ways. Choose one and commit to repeating it until you gain strength in that area.
1) Scripture Reading: to listen and soak in the Word as an experience of the words washing over you. Read or listen to the entire letter of 1 John at least twice/week. As you take it in, resist the impulse to study and parse the details. The point is not to gain “head knowledge” but a stirring in the heart as the Holy Spirit brings the Word to life in you.
2) Memorization:to internalize God’s Word. A key passage for this series is 1 John 4:7-14. Commit to memorize it yourself and encourage others in your group to do it with you.
3) Walk & Pray: to actively engage with the scripture passage. Write out the passage of the sermon each week on a note card and take it with you on a daily walk.
4) Journal Reflection: to practice remembering what God has done. Make time in your schedule to put down in writing the feelings and thoughts that are stirring as you interact with the Word of God.
5) Self-control Exercise: to help you come to stillness from a busy or hurried pace of life. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Sit upright but comfortably in a chair with your palms open and upward on your lap. Focus on a word or short phrase about the character of God the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. When your thoughts wander to the things on your to-do list or other people’s needs, redirect them back to the character of God. When the 10 minutes is up, close in a short prayer of gratitude.
Prayer
Praying together in a group is different than praying alone with God. It's a conversation that can help you grow closer to each other as you are in God's presence. One way to pray follows this often-used pattern in scripture – acknowledge who God is, recognize the need we have for Him, and ask to partner with Him on behalf of others. When possible, use the passage of scripture from this week's sermon as your starting point, then form a prayer that follows this pattern:
God, our Father, this week we learned that you are ________________ and ________________ .
As I looked into your Word, I understood how I need you to __________________________. Help me to be faithful to ________________________ in the week ahead.
Other people are on my heart, and I trust that you have put them there for a reason. I ask for your will to be accomplished in their life as they ______________________________. Help me to know how to respond well to the needs of __________________________, even as my first step is in praying for them right now.
Each group engages in prayer differently. Some groups go around and allow anyone to pray that desires to do so. Other groups have several people pray or maybe 1 person closes the group in prayer. Still other groups split into smaller groups of 2-3 people and those people pray for each other. How you choose to engage in prayer is dependent on your group and your choice to ENGAGE! We learn to pray by praying and by listening and praying with others!