Class Lesson for November 15, 2026

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

Sermon Recap

John moves from abiding in Christ to the hope of Christ’s return. Believers are already children of God, yet what they will be, has not fully appeared. When Christ appears, they will be like Him because they will see Him as He is. That future hope changes present behavior: everyone who hopes in Christ purifies himself. John then draws a sharp contrast between practicing righteousness and practicing sin. He is not saying a Christian never sins; the letter has already made that impossible. He is describing the settled direction and practice of a life. Jesus appeared to take away sins and destroy the works of the devil, so those born of God cannot be at peace with a life defined by sin.

 

1 John 2:28-3:10

[28] And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. [29] If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. [1] See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. [2] Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. [3] And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

[4] Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. [5] You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. [6] No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. [7] Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. [8] Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. [9] No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. [10] By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. (ESV)

 

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you most in 1 John 2:28-3:10?
2. How does being called a child of God shape your sense of identity?
3. Why should hope in Christ’s return affect present choices?
4. Where would living “ready” change your behavior?
5. What does it mean to you to be called a child of God?
6. How does assurance of future transformation give hope in present struggles?
7. Why is it dangerous to treat sin casually?
8. How can we distinguish ongoing repentance from settled rebellion?
9. What sin are you actively fighting right now?
10. What evidence of God’s transforming work can you thank Him for?

  

Closing Thoughts

Holiness is not withdrawal from mission; it gives credibility to mission. A church that talks about the transforming power of Jesus while making peace with sin sends a confused message. As we pursue purity, we show that Christ not only forgives but changes people. Encourage one another this week to fight sin from the security of being God’s children.

 

END

Class Lesson for November 8, 2026

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

Sermon Recap

John warns the church that deception does not only come from outside the church. False teachers had departed from the community and denied the truth about Jesus. John calls their teaching “antichrist” because it opposes the true identity of Christ. The issue is not merely theological trivia; what we believe about Jesus determines whether we truly know the Father. Believers are not left defenseless. John calls them to let what they heard from the beginning abide in them, and he reminds them that they have an anointing from the Holy One. The Spirit does not lead us away from the gospel into novelty; He confirms the truth about Jesus and helps believers remain in Him.

1 John 2:18-27

Warning Concerning Antichrists

[18] Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour. [19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. [20] But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. [21] I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. [22] Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. [23] No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. [24] Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. [25] And this is the promise that he made to us — eternal life.

[26] I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. [27] But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie — just as it has taught you, abide in him. (ESV)

 

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you most in 1 John 2:18-27?
2. What makes false teaching spiritually dangerous?
3. Why does John make the identity of Jesus the central test?
4. What modern messages about Jesus might sound attractive while changing who He is?
5. What does it look like practically to let the gospel “abide” in us?
6. How do the Word and the Spirit work together in discernment?
7. What helps you remain steady when persuasive voices disagree?
8. How can familiarity with Scripture protect us from deception?
9. Where do you feel pressure to soften or redefine truth about Jesus?
10. What practice would help the gospel abide more deeply in you this week?

 

Closing Thoughts

A dark world is full of spiritual claims, confident voices, and competing versions of Jesus. Living on mission requires both conviction and discernment. We do not need to be afraid of every question, but we do need to know the gospel well enough to recognize a counterfeit. As a group, encourage one another to test teaching by Scripture and to speak about the real Jesus with clarity and grace.

 

END

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.