Safe Haven

I'm quite sorry that I'm swamping you all at once; I got behind, and for that, blame Frederick Wheelock and Richard Lafleur! Look out! Here comes the Word of God: Why should we love one another? We know that loving is very far from hating, but how serious is simply not loving? Why did Cain kill Abel, according to verse 12? (Genesis 4:3-9) What was the emotion behind that motive? Why do you think hate and murder are treated as the same thing in the Bible? (Matthew 5:21-24) What is being compared in verse 16? Along with verses 17-18, can you think of passages elsewhere that show us that love is something you do, as opposed to something you say? What does it mean to have “our hearts condemn us” (v. 20-21)? What does it mean that God is greater than our hearts? If you had to summarize these verses with one principle, what would it be?

Some more postings as we venture through this letter I hope will be enjoyable for you. Here's 1 John 2:28-3:10. Why should we avoid sin? What is righteousness, and how do you practice it? How does our being children of God show the greatness of God’s love? (Ephesians 2:1-7, John 1:12-13) Should we hope for Christ’s return, according to verses 2-3? What does the Bible say about that hope? (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:2) Let’s compare different versions of 1 John 3:4. What are your thoughts? Do we take our sin lightly? Does God take our sin lightly? (v.7-10) What should be our response? (Romans 6:1-2, 11-14) Would you be able to look Jesus in the eye if He came back right now?

1 John 2-15-27: “Do not Love the World” In what sense is John using ‘world’ here? What should be our attitude toward things we own? How do you tell the difference between enjoying things God has given versus idolizing those things? What is an antichrist in this passage? What is happening in v. 19? Why is that happening? (Matthew 13:24-30) How has a Christian been anointed by God? Can a true teacher/believer of the gospel deny Christ? Is that the same as having a very troubled time? (doubting, sin, etc.) What is a Christian, according to the passage? (Feel free to think of others, too) According to the passage, is it possible to be acceptable to God without Christ? Is that offensive to you? What are some of the reasons why someone would be upset? Why is it true that, “Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also”? (John 8:30) What are some of the ways we can let the truth of Christ remain in us?