1 John 3
Fresh Ink, Pt. 5
Every time we gather as a group, these are some ways we ensure the best group discussion:
We make the circle safe by staying honest and transparent - leave the masks at the door.
We keep it inside the circle. Each person’s story is theirs alone to share.
We look to the Bible for wisdom and truth, and work together to let it shape how we see the world.
We don’t try to fix each other in front of each other or give unsolicited advice. We lovingly save hard conversations for private moments.
We respect each others’ time by starting and ending when we say we will.
We believe that in Jesus Christ, there is hope for everyone.
Key Questions
What makes me, me?
Am I what I accomplish?
Am I what I’ve done?
Am I who I’m in relationship with?
Is it possible that I’ve let the wrong stuff define me?
It’s never been easier to know more stuff about ourselves…or more difficult to believe God when He tells us who we are.
Matthew 22:34-39
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
Two Commandments inform three most important relationships
God
Others
Yourself
1 John 3:1
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
John 1:12
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
RECEIVE + BELIEVE = RIGHTS
In Christ, I am:
ACCEPTED
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am united with the Lord and I am one spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17)
I have been bought with a price; I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19,20)
I am a member of Christ's body (1 Corinthians 12:27)
I have been adopted as God's child (Ephesians 1:5)
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18)
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (Colossians 1:14)
I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)
SECURE
I am free forever from condemnation (Romans 8:1,2)
I am assured that God works all things together for good (Romans 8:28)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:35-39)
I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
I am confident that God will finish the good work He started in me (Philippians 1:6)
I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
I am hidden with Christ (Colossians 3:3)
I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)
I can find mercy and grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16)
I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)
SIGNIFICANT
I am the salt of the earth and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14)
I am a branch of the true vine, Jesus, a channel of His life (John 15:15)
I have been chosen to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I am a personal, Spirit-empowered witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am a temple of God (2 Corinthians 3:16)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
I am God's co-worker (2 Corinthians 6:1)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 2:6)
I am God's workmanship, created for good works (Ephesians 2:10)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
True humility is agreeing with God about who you are.
—Danielle Strickland
Pride is not agreeing with God about me.
Practical help in this process…
Connect in relationship with God daily
Anchor our minds in the truth of who God says we are
Go to war with old lies/ways of thinking
Walk with someone headed the direction you want to go
Don’t let your past have power
Help others in this process
Start with M.U.D.
Memorable + Understandable + Doable
What was the most memorable part of the message or service this weekend for you personally? Why?
Did anything you heard challenge or influence how you think about God or your life?
How can what you learned influence or change how you live in everyday life? What tangible steps would it take to make that change a reality?
Additional Questions
Mike mentioned that it has never been easier to know things about yourself from personality tests, psychology, gift assessments, and so much more.
What important things have you learned about yourself?
What good has it done? Has it done any harm?
Mike posed a simple but challenging question: Is it possible that I’ve let the wrong stuff define me?
We’ve all let the wrong stuff define us - how has that stuff let you down? How has it disappointed you or proved incapable of sustaining you?
Jesus tells us the most important commandment is to love God and love your neighbor as yourself. So the sneaky third relationship in his commandment is our relationship with ourselves.
What’s your relationship like… with yourself? How do you talk to yourself, think of yourself, and treat yourself? How would your spouse or best friend think if you treated them the way you treat yourself?
How does your view of yourself affect your ability to love your neighbor?
Being a child of God means that I am Accepted, Secure, and Significant. Read the lists for each of those words in the Message Notes, either out loud or on your own.
Which feels most true as you hear it? Which feels like a sturdy anchor point in your soul?
Which feels the least true as you hear it? Is there something negative that takes its place and refutes it in your mind?
When did that start? Where might it have come from?
How can you take a practical step toward replacing that in your heart and mind? What help do you need?
