Small Group Discussion Guide

Ice Breaker

Share about a time when you thought you were buying or receiving

something authentic but it turned out to be fake or not what you expected. How

did that make you feel?

Key Verses

·  1 John 2:3-5

·  1 John 2:6

·  1 John 2:7-10

·  Ephesians 2:8-10

·  John 15:4

·  John 13:34

Questions

1. What does it mean to have an 'authentic' relationship with Jesus versus a fake one? How can we tell the difference in our own lives?
2. The sermon mentions that obedience is evidence of true faith, not the cause of salvation. How do you balance grace and obedience in your spiritual life?
3. John describes three motivations for obedience: because you have to, because you need to, and because you want to. Which stage best describes your current relationship with God's commands?
4. What does it practically look like to 'live as Jesus did' in your daily life? What areas do you find most challenging to imitate Christ?
5. The pastor explains that living like Jesus is about 'incarnation' (Christ living in us) rather than just 'imitation.' How does this change your perspective on spiritual growth?
6. Jesus calls us to love 'as I have loved you' rather than just 'love your neighbor as yourself.' What's the difference between these two standards?
7. How can we show Christ's love to people who are different from us or even those who oppose us, following Jesus' example?
8. Which of the three marks of authentic faith (obedience, living like Jesus, loving others) do you feel strongest in? Which one needs the most growth in your life?

Life Application

This week, choose one specific way to demonstrate each of the three marks of authentic faith: 1) Identify one area where you can grow in obedience to

God's commands, 2) Pick one characteristic of Jesus that you want to imitate more closely in your daily interactions, and 3) Show Christ's love to someone

in a tangible way, especially someone who might be difficult to love. Keep a journal of how God works through these intentional steps.

Key Takeaways

• ·  Authentic faith produces obedience to God's commands as evidence, not as a means of earning salvation
• ·  Living like Jesus happens through abiding in Him and allowing Christ to live through us, not just trying to imitate Him in our own strength
• ·  True disciples of Jesus are marked by love for one another, demonstrating the same kind of love that Christ showed us
• ·  We are saved by grace through faith, but genuine faith will always produce good works and life change
• ·  The command to love is both old (from the beginning) and new (redefined and demonstrated perfectly by Jesus)