Digital Logos Edition
What do you rely on to get through your day? The things we rely on are also what define us—our family, education, job, accomplishments, money. For the apostle John, nothing defined him more than the love of God in Jesus, and that is what he relied on every moment of every day. Scotty Smith takes readers through 1 John and shows how a rich understanding of the love of God prepares us to thrive in times of great stress and strengthens us for every season of life.
Relying on God’s love brings true joy that empowers us to be faithful in the face of opposition. Discover how we are to live in this world as children of light and how the best way to defeat spiritual warfare is to be preoccupied with Jesus. Participants will learn how knowing Jesus equals loving Jesus, and loving Jesus equals loving others. Because the Father already loves us as much as he loves Jesus, he is committed to making us like Jesus.
This small group guide includes eight in-depth lessons that include discussion questions, a short article to read, and a practical application section that can be used for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings.
1 John: Relying on the Love of God is part of The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible series published in partnership with Serge. Each book in the series examines how the gospel story is revealed throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
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The way Christians become more Christlike is not by our own exertion but by beholding the brightness of God’s glory in Christ. Scotty Smith understands this important and supernatural dynamic of gospel centrality, and his study through 1 John will wisely and artfully walk you through a gaze-lifting beholding of the transforming light of Jesus. Use this study and be changed.
--Jared C. Wilson, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and author-in-residence at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; author of Ruth: Redemption for the Broken
Although many centuries separate us from the apostle John’s message to the early church, Scotty Smith fans the flames of that message for the church today. The central theme of knowing and relying on the love of God is applied to every nook and cranny of our lives by Scotty’s years of pastoral love and care. One would be hard-pressed to find a more faithful under-shepherd that points us to the True Shepherd. Many churches will be well-served by this resource!
--John Perritt, Director of Resources, Reformed Youth Ministries; author of Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything; host of The Local Youth Worker podcast; series editor of the Track series for students