March 6, 2022

Message Title: Be Honest

Series: The Way | Week 1

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10 NRSV

Bottom Line: Be honest & Walk in the Light

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Small Group Check in:

1. How is it with your soul?

2. Prayer Request? Praises?

Ice Breaker:

• Play Two Truths & a Lie Game: Every person in your group takes turns saying three things about themselves, but two of the statements must be true and one must be a lie. The goal of the game is for the rest of the group to guess which statement is false. For example, you might say, "I play the guitar, I've never been on a plane and I can't swim." The group must then guess which of those statements is a lie. The great thing about Two Truths and a Lie is that everyone gets to learn something new about each other.

Overview:

• John begins his letters with two main themes. The first is "God is Light" and the second is "God is love."

• In this passage, John is contrasting people who "walk in the light" with people who "walk in the darkness."

• Darkness is often used as a metaphor in Scripture for the place where "things that oppose the will of God" lurk. Darkness represents that place where God is "not yet."

• Walking in darkness refers to our sinful nature acting out in the world and separating us from God.

• Walking in the Light refers to being aligned with God's will for our life.

• One obstacle we all face is our denial of our sinful nature.

• Because God is light without darkness, dealing honestly with sin in your life is essential to your growing relationship with God.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean that God is Light?

2. What is the way forward to walking in the Light?

3. In verse 7, John writes about the way we walk and the effectiveness of the blood of Christ to cleanse us of sin. What is this walk and what does it mean to be cleansed from all sin by the blood of Jesus? What is the connection between these two things?

4. One obstacle we all face as humans is our denial of our sinful nature. Why do you think that is?

5. Do you consider yourself someone who is quick to repent? What causes us to delay in repenting?

6. How can we evaluate if we are walking in the light? What are some ways that you can do this in your life? How can your small group help?