Class Lesson November 1, 2026

  New Series: Being Light in a Dark World: A Study of 1 John

Sermon Recap

John now confronts a competing love. We cannot claim to love the Father while giving our hearts to a world organized in rebellion against Him. “The world” in this passage does not mean people or God’s good creation; it describes a system of desires, values, and pride that pulls us away from God. John names three expressions of that worldliness: the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. All three promise satisfaction, but none can last. The world is passing away, but the one who does the will of God abides forever. Walking in the light requires learning to love what lasts more than what is fading.

 

1 John 2:15-17

Do Not Love the World

[15] Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life — is not from the Father but is from the world. [17] And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (ESV)

 

 

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you most in 1 John 2:15-17?
2. Which of John’s three categories of desire is most recognizable in our culture?
3. How can good things become rival loves?
4. What helps us recognize worldliness when it looks normal?
5. What does “the world” mean in this passage?
6. Which of the desires in verse 16 do you find most subtle?
7. How can Christians enjoy God’s good gifts without loving the world?
8. Where are you most tempted to seek identity from what you have, how you look, or what others think?
9. What does doing the will of God look like in a specific area of your life right now?
10. What is one temporary pursuit you may need to hold more loosely?

 

  

Closing Thoughts

Our culture constantly disciples our desires. Living on mission means we cannot simply mirror whatever the world celebrates. When believers display contentment, self-control, humility, generosity, and obedience, we offer a visible alternative to a life built on appetite, appearance, and status. Ask as a group: Where are we most tempted to look just like the world around us?

 

END

Teacher Notes:

Imagine for a moment...

Our lesson this morning is titled:

Success is measured by what you achieve. We are taught that our worth is determined by our career, income, accomplishments, education, and professional status. The world's message: Climb the ladder. Become somebody. Make a name for yourself. God's perspective: Our identity is found in Christ, not in our accomplishments. (Philippians 3:7–8)

Happiness comes from having more. Advertising, entertainment, and social media constantly encourage us to want the newest, biggest, and best. The world's message: You will be happy when you have what you don't currently have. God's perspective: Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6–8)

Personal pleasure comes before obedience. Our culture often encourages people to follow their feelings, satisfy their desires, and do whatever makes them happy. The world's message: If it feels good, do it. You deserve it. God's perspective: We are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. (Luke 9:23)

Appearance and popularity determine our value. Social media, celebrity culture, and the entertainment industry encourage us to measure ourselves by how we look, how many people admire us, and how much attention we receive. The world's message: Make yourself attractive, influential, and admired. God's perspective: God looks at the heart, not outward appearance. (1 Samuel 16:7)

Money provides security. We are encouraged to accumulate wealth, protect our assets, and build financial independence as though money can guarantee our future. The world's message: The more you have, the safer and more secure you will be. God's perspective: Our ultimate security is in God, not our possessions. (Matthew 6:19–21)

Being busy means being important. Our culture celebrates packed schedules, constant activity, and productivity. Even good things can crowd out our relationship with God. The world's message: Stay busy. Keep producing. Don't slow down. God's perspective: We need to make room for what matters most, including time with Him. (Luke 10:38–42)

Truth is whatever you believe it to be. Our culture increasingly treats truth as personal preference rather than something established by God. The world's message: Decide for yourself what is right and wrong. God's perspective: God's Word is truth, and our lives should be shaped by it. (John 17:17)

 

Worldliness isn't necessarily about what we have; it's about what has our hearts. A person can have considerable wealth and still love God wholeheartedly. Another person can have very little and be consumed with envy and materialism.

We become comfortable with what we once questioned. Things that once troubled our conscience gradually become acceptable because we see them everywhere.

Language and entertainment that don't honor God.

Attitudes toward marriage, sexuality, and relationships that contradict Scripture.

Behaviors we once recognized as wrong but now excuse as normal.

The danger: What we repeatedly expose ourselves to can eventually influence what we accept. Romans 12:2 warns us not to conform to the pattern of this world.

We begin measuring ourselves by the world's standards. We start comparing our homes, income, vacations, possessions, appearance, and accomplishments with those around us. We may not even realize how much our sense of satisfaction depends on keeping up with others. The danger: Gratitude gets replaced by comparison, and contentment gets replaced by wanting more.

We allow good things to become ultimate things. There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to provide for our families, succeed professionally, enjoy retirement, or have financial security. But good things can become competing priorities when they consistently take precedence over God.

For example:

Work becomes more important than worship.

Financial security becomes more important than trusting God.

Recreation becomes more important than spiritual growth.

Family activities become so consuming that we neglect our relationship with Christ.

The danger: Something good gradually takes the place of something greater.

We become more concerned about pleasing people than pleasing God. We may compromise our convictions because we don't want to offend someone, appear different, or be excluded. Eventually, the opinions of others begin to carry more weight than God's Word. Galatians 1:10 reminds us that we cannot make pleasing people our highest priority while seeking to serve Christ.

We become spiritually distracted. We don't necessarily abandon God. We simply become too busy for Him. Prayer becomes occasional. Bible reading becomes sporadic. Church attendance becomes optional. Our spiritual lives gradually move from the center to the margins. The danger: We can remain religiously active while our hearts become increasingly attached to the things of this world.

Practice gratitude rather than constantly wanting more. Enjoy what God has provided instead of measuring your happiness by what you don't have.

Thank God for your home rather than wishing it were bigger.

Enjoy your possessions without becoming preoccupied with acquiring more.

Appreciate what you have rather than comparing yourself with others.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6–8

Remember that everything belongs to God. We are stewards, not owners. Our possessions, abilities, opportunities, and resources are gifts entrusted to us. When we recognize God as the source of our blessings, we become less likely to worship the blessings themselves. Scripture: Psalm 24:1

Hold earthly things loosely. Enjoy the good things of life, but don't allow them to determine your identity, happiness, or security. Ask yourself: Could I lose this possession, position, or opportunity and still find my joy and identity in Christ? Scripture: Matthew 6:19–21

Make generosity a regular part of your life. One of the best ways to prevent possessions from possessing us is to become generous. Give to others. Help someone in need. Support God's work. Share what you have. Generosity reminds us that life isn't about accumulating more but using what God has given us to bless others. Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17–19

Establish priorities that protect your relationship with God. Don't allow the demands of everyday life to crowd out the things that matter most. Make time for prayer, Scripture, worship, fellowship, and service. These aren't simply religious activities; they help keep our hearts properly focused. Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Learn to enjoy life without depending on it for fulfillment. Enjoy your family, friendships, vacations, hobbies, food, music, and the beauty of creation. These are wonderful gifts from God. But remember that none of them can provide the lasting satisfaction that comes from knowing Him. Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:12–13

I would argue that the desires of the eyes are probably the most influential temptation in our culture today, although all three are closely connected.

 

1.   The desires of the eyes — "I want what I see." We live in a visually driven culture. Television, advertising, social media, and the internet constantly expose us to things we don't have but are encouraged to want.

We see other people's homes, vacations, cars, and lifestyles.

We compare our lives with carefully edited versions of other people's lives.

We are encouraged to believe that happiness comes from acquiring the next thing.

We develop dissatisfaction with what we have because we're constantly exposed to what others have.

The problem: What we see can create desires we didn't previously have. Think about social media. Someone can be perfectly content with their life until they see someone else's vacation, new home, retirement lifestyle, or material possessions. Suddenly, their own blessings seem less satisfying. That's the power of the desires of the eyes.

2.    The pride of life — "I want to be somebody." I would put this a very close second. Our culture places enormous emphasis on:

Recognition and popularity.

Professional achievement and status.

Personal image and reputation.

Influence and being admired.

Being right, being important, and being in control.

The danger is that we begin measuring our worth by how others see us rather than how God sees us. The problem: We can become more concerned with building our own kingdom than serving God's kingdom.

3. The desires of the flesh — "I want what feels good." This temptation is also extremely influential. Our culture increasingly promotes instant gratification:

Sexual pleasure without commitment.

Entertainment without boundaries.

Comfort without sacrifice.

Food, alcohol, and other indulgences without self-discipline.

Following our feelings rather than submitting our desires to God.

The problem: We begin allowing our appetites to determine our behavior rather than allowing God's Word to direct our lives.

It turns gratitude into dissatisfaction. We can have a wonderful home, a loving family, good friends, and enough resources to live comfortably. But when we compare ourselves with someone who has more, our blessings suddenly seem less significant. We stop appreciating what we have because we're focused on what we don't have.

It creates envy and jealousy. Instead of celebrating someone else's success, we quietly resent it. Someone gets a promotion, buys a new home, takes an expensive vacation, or experiences something wonderful. Rather than rejoicing with them, we wonder why we don't have the same opportunities. Proverbs 14:30: "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." (NIV)

It makes us pursue things we don't really need. Comparison can convince us that we need a bigger house, a newer car, nicer clothes, or a more impressive lifestyle. Sometimes we don't even want these things until we see someone else enjoying them. We begin pursuing someone else's definition of happiness.

It makes us measure our worth by the wrong standards. We begin evaluating ourselves by our income, possessions, appearance, accomplishments, or popularity. But God doesn't measure our worth that way. 1 Samuel 16:7: "People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (NIV)

It distracts us from God's purpose for our own lives. When we're constantly looking at someone else's circumstances, we can lose sight of what God is doing in our own lives. We become so busy wishing we had someone else's opportunities that we neglect the opportunities God has placed before us.

 

A biblical illustration: Peter and John

Consider John 21:20–22. After Jesus tells Peter about the future that awaits him, Peter looks at John and asks Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Essentially, Peter wants to know what will happen to someone else. Jesus responds: "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." (John 21:22, NIV) That's a powerful answer. Jesus essentially tells Peter: Don't concern yourself with someone else's journey. You follow Me. God hasn't called us to live someone else's life. He's called us to be faithful with the life He's given us.

Pride makes us believe we're better than we really are. We tend to judge ourselves by our intentions while judging others by their actions. We excuse our shortcomings but are quick to identify someone else's. The danger: We develop a higher opinion of ourselves than we should. Romans 12:3 reminds us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought.

Pride disguises itself as confidence. There is nothing wrong with having confidence in our abilities or being thankful for our accomplishments. But confidence becomes pride when we begin believing our success is primarily the result of our own abilities, intelligence, or hard work. We forget that our abilities and opportunities ultimately come from God. Deuteronomy 8:17–18 warns against saying, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me."

Pride makes it difficult to admit we're wrong. Pride tells us we must defend ourselves, justify our decisions, and have the last word. Instead of saying, "I was wrong," we make excuses or shift the blame. The danger: We become more interested in protecting our reputation than correcting our behavior.

Pride makes us dependent on the approval of others. We want recognition, appreciation, admiration, and respect. We may even do good things, not because we genuinely want to serve others, but because we want people to notice. The danger: Our motivation becomes more about receiving glory than giving glory to God.

Pride can hide behind religious activity. This is particularly important for Christians. We can become proud of how much we know about the Bible, how long we've attended church, how much we serve, or how spiritually mature we believe ourselves to be. We can even become judgmental toward Christians who don't measure up to our expectations. Remember the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9–14. The Pharisee was proud of his religious accomplishments, while the tax collector simply acknowledged his need for God's mercy. Jesus made it clear which man went home justified before God.

Pride prevents us from recognizing how much we need God. Perhaps this is the deepest problem. When things are going well, we can begin believing we are self-sufficient. Prayer becomes less urgent, dependence on God becomes less obvious, and gratitude can gradually disappear. Pride says, "I've got this." Humility says, "Lord, I need You."

Relationships become more valuable than possessions. We begin to realize that the memories we treasure most usually involve people, not things. Family gatherings, conversations with old friends, time with grandchildren, and moments shared with loved ones become increasingly precious. We discover that relationships are a greater treasure than the things we accumulate.

Time becomes more valuable than money. When we're younger, we sometimes think we have unlimited time. We put off phone calls, visits, apologies, and meaningful conversations. As we get older, we recognize that time is one resource we cannot replenish. We become less concerned with how much we can accumulate and more concerned with how we spend our days.

Success takes on a different meaning. Titles, promotions, professional recognition, and financial accomplishments may have once defined success. But eventually, we begin asking different questions:

Did I make a difference in someone's life?

Was I a good spouse, parent, grandparent, and friend?

Did I honor God with the opportunities He gave me?

Did I leave something worthwhile behind?

Success becomes less about what we accomplished and more about how faithfully we lived.

We become more appreciative of ordinary blessings. A beautiful sunrise, a good conversation, a family meal, a peaceful evening, or simply another day of life can become extraordinary gifts. We begin to recognize that many of life's greatest blessings are not things money can buy.

We become less concerned about what people think. As we mature, we often become less interested in impressing others. We realize that trying to satisfy everyone's expectations is exhausting, and that other people's opinions don't determine our worth. We become more interested in God's approval than man's applause.

We recognize the importance of forgiveness and letting go. Life teaches us that holding onto resentment, bitterness, and old disagreements can rob us of peace. We begin to understand that some things simply aren't worth carrying for the rest of our lives. We learn to forgive, make peace where possible, and appreciate the relationships we still have.

Eternity becomes more real. Perhaps this is the most significant change. As we get older, we become increasingly aware that earthly life is temporary. Our priorities begin to shift toward our relationship with God, our spiritual legacy, and the eternal promises we have in Christ. We become less focused on what we are leaving behind and more focused on what lies ahead. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16–18.

Continue growing spiritually. We never reach an age where we have learned everything God wants to teach us.

Spend time in His Word.

Deepen your prayer life.

Remain teachable.

Allow God to continue shaping your character.

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18

Become intentional about passing along your faith. One of the greatest opportunities of older adulthood is investing in the next generation.

Share your testimony with children and grandchildren.

Tell younger believers how God has been faithful.

Encourage those who are beginning their spiritual journey.

Model what a lifetime of faithfulness looks like.

Scripture: Psalm 71:17–18

Our greatest legacy may not be what we leave to the next generation, but what we leave in them.

Use your experience to encourage others. Years of living provide opportunities to help others navigate difficulties. You have experienced disappointments, answered prayers, unexpected changes, grief, and new beginnings. God can use those experiences to encourage someone who is walking through a difficult season. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3–4

Find new opportunities to serve. Serving God isn't limited to a job, a title, or a formal ministry position.

Encourage someone who is discouraged.

Visit someone who is lonely.

Help a neighbor.

Volunteer at church.

Pray faithfully for others.

Make yourself available when someone needs help.

Scripture: Galatians 6:9–10

Become an example of faithfulness. Younger generations need to see that following Jesus is not simply something we do when life is easy. They need to see believers who remain faithful through illness, disappointment, loss, uncertainty, and change. Scripture: Titus 2:2–3 Our lives can become living testimonies of God's faithfulness.

Let go of what is behind and embrace what God has ahead. Sometimes older adults become so focused on what they can no longer do that they overlook what they can still do. Our circumstances may change, but God's purposes don't disappear. Perhaps we cannot serve in the same ways we once did, but there are always opportunities to love, encourage, pray, teach, and serve. Scripture: Philippians 3:13–14

Live with eternity in view. John reminds us in 1 John 2:17 that the world and its desires are passing away, but the person who does God's will lives forever. This season of life gives us an opportunity to evaluate our priorities.

Are we investing in things that have eternal significance?

Are our relationships characterized by love and forgiveness?

Are we using our remaining days to glorify God?

Are we preparing the next generation to carry the faith forward?

Scripture: Colossians 3:1–2

 

As Christians, we have received a faith that others before us faithfully carried. Now we have the privilege and responsibility of passing it along.

 

We aren't simply finishing our race; we're helping prepare the next generation to run theirs.

Class Lesson for October 25, 2026

 New Series: Being Light in a Dark World: A Study of 1 John

Sermon Recap

John has already told us that God is light and that those who know Him walk in the light. Now he shows one of the clearest pieces of evidence of that walk: love for other believers. The command to love is both old and new. How? It’s old because God has always called His people to love, and new because Jesus embodied that love perfectly and formed a new community around Himself.

John also pauses to remind believers who they are. Their sins are forgiven, they know the Father, they know the One who is from the beginning, they have overcome the evil one, and God’s Word abides in them. We do not love one another in order to earn an identity; we love because the gospel has already given us one.

 

1 John 2:7-14

The New Commandment

[7] Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. [8] At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 

[9] Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. [10] Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. [11] But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

[12] I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His name’s sake. [13] I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. [14] I write to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (ESV)

 

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you most in 1 John 2:7-14?
2. What is the difference between walking in darkness and struggling with sin while walking in the light?
3. Which gospel identity statement from verses 12–14 encourages you most?
4. Why do you think John connects assurance with love for other believers?
5. How can unresolved bitterness keep someone walking in darkness?
6. What is one practical expression of love that costs something?
7. How can we love someone while still speaking truth or setting healthy boundaries?
8. Who is God calling you to move toward in love this week?

 

Closing Thoughts

The way Christians love one another is part of our witness to the world. A divided, bitter, or indifferent church obscures the light we claim to walk in. A church that forgives, serves, encourages, and bears burdens displays something different. As a group, identify one practical way you can intentionally love someone in the church family this week.

 

END

Teacher Notes:

Love One Another - 1 John 2:7–14

Have you heard of Bryce Crawford?

https://brycecrawford.org/

The man's statement forced Bryce Crawford to look at his relationship with God from a completely different perspective.

 

It made Bryce think about love as a relationship, not just a belief. Bryce had grown up around Christianity, but he was struggling deeply with depression and anxiety. He knew about God, but in that moment, he began questioning whether he truly understood what it meant to have a relationship with Him. The man's statement introduced an uncomfortable but important question: Can a relationship grow if one person never responds to the love being offered?

 

It caused Bryce to consider whether he had responded to God's love. According to Bryce's account, he began thinking something like this: “Maybe I don't know God loves me because I haven't given myself a chance to love Him back.” That was the turning point. Rather than simply asking, “Does God love me?” Bryce began asking, “Have I opened myself up to a relationship with the God who loves me?” He began to see that he had been thinking about God's love without fully considering his own response to it.

 

There is an important biblical distinction here. God's love is not dependent on our loving Him in return. First John 4:19 tells us, “We love because He first loved us” (NIV). God initiates the relationship; our love is the response. Bryce's realization was not that he needed to earn God's love. Rather, he began to consider whether he had truly responded to that love by entering into a relationship with God.

It means sharing, participation, partnership, or having something in common. Biblical fellowship is much deeper than socializing, attending church together, or enjoying the company of other Christians.

Biblical fellowship is sharing life together through Jesus Christ. We share a relationship with God, and because we belong to Him, we are committed to loving, encouraging, forgiving, and helping one another grow in faith.

1.   Fellowship means knowing Christ personally.

There is a difference between knowing facts about Jesus and knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior. We can know Bible stories, attend church for decades, and understand Christian teachings without allowing Christ to shape our hearts and lives. John 17:3 describes eternal life in terms of knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.

2.   Fellowship means walking with Him daily.

We listen to Him through His Word, speak to Him in prayer, trust His promises, confess our sins, and seek to obey Him. We don't do these things to earn His love; we respond to the love and grace He has already shown us. John 15:4–5 pictures this relationship as a branch remaining connected to the vine.

3.   Fellowship means allowing His truth to shape us.

In 1 John 1:6–7, John connects fellowship with God to walking in the light. This does not mean Christians never sin. It means we stop treating darkness as our home. We bring our sins into the light, receive Christ's cleansing, and continue walking in His truth. Fellowship is not sinless perfection; it is a real relationship with Christ that changes the direction of our lives.

Fellowship means we share a common Savior.

We may come from different backgrounds, have different personalities, and disagree on many things. But believers share something greater than their differences: Jesus Christ.

The church is not simply a collection of people who enjoy one another's company. It is a community of people brought together through God's grace.

Ephesians 2:19–22 describes believers as members of God's household, being built together into a dwelling place for God.

What are some ways we can practice biblical fellowship with people?

Fellowship means we love one another in practical ways.

John moves from the abstract to the concrete. If we claim to walk in the light but hate a brother or sister, our claim contradicts our conduct.

Christian fellowship involves more than attending the same services. It means caring about one another's burdens, offering encouragement, practicing forgiveness, speaking truth with love, and serving when there is a need.

Galatians 6:2 tells us to carry one another's burdens.

 

Fellowship becomes visible when we:

·      Listen when someone is hurting.

·      Encourage someone who is discouraged.

·      Forgive when we have been wronged.

·      Speak truth with humility and compassion.

·      Serve without expecting anything in return.

·      Remain committed to one another even when relationships become difficult.

 

Fellowship requires honesty and walking in the light.

John makes it clear that genuine fellowship cannot be built on pretending. In 1 John 1:6–10, he contrasts walking in the light with walking in darkness. Walking in the light means living honestly before God, acknowledging our sins, confessing them, and trusting Christ to forgive and cleanse us.

That doesn't mean we must share every private detail with everyone. It means our relationships should not be built on hypocrisy, deception, or the pretense that we have everything together.

Deep Christian fellowship requires an environment where truth can be spoken, grace can be received, and people can grow without being defined by their failures.