e100 Challenge Day 95 - Love One Another - I John 3:11-4:21

Today's Scripture Reading is very pointed.  Don't say you know God if you are not exhibiting His Love.  I John is a wonderful Epistle which uses at least seven tests to bring assurance to the believer that he/she truly belongs to God. I will list them without comment:
1. Are you enjoying fellowship with God (1:2-3; 5:1-5)?
2. Are you sensitive to sin in your life (1:5-2:1)?
3. Are you obedient to God? Is it a pattern in your life (2:3-5)?
4. Do you reject the world and it's philosophy (2:15-17)?
5. Do you love Christ and eagerly wait for His return (3:1-3)?
6. Do you see a decreasing pattern of sin in your life (3:5-10)?
7. Do you love one another (3:11-4:21)?

This book was written to give us confidence that we belong to God (5:10-13) so should not intimidate, but rather encourage us.

Discussion Questions...

1. What does John say was the source of Cain's murder of Abel (3:11-15)?  How does that help us understand the importance of love in our lives?

2. How does John compare Christ's sacrifice with our need for compassion (3:16-18)?  What is your response to injustice and particularly when you see some one in need?

3. Work through chapter 4:7-21 and think further about this 7th test of our faith.  Why is it absurd to think that we can belong to God if we don't love our brother?

4. Connect love and fear in the passage (4:16-18).  How does love eliminate fear?  How does this also affirm us as belonging to God?  

Prayer...

Lord thank you for sharing with us your love through the Holy Spirit Who lives in us.  Though we are un able to love they way you require, thank you for loving through us and showing us what true love looks like at the cross of Calvary.  Amen.

The Bux-Mont & Telford Campuses of the Penn Valley Church Multi-site Network are participating in the e100 Challenge, a 100-day Bible reading program. True revival comes from prayer and knowing the Word of God. We can only live the life God intended if we know what He says about it. Join us as we read through this plan and grow deeper in our knowledge of God's Word.