SUNDAY SCHOOL

Welcome to “Sunday School…Sunday School”. Each week we will highlight our Adult Class Sunday School Lesson for the upcoming week. This site is designed to prepare you for the upcoming lesson, and give you greater insight into the Word of God. Get ready to be “stretched”. Get ready for an exciting journey. Get ready for a stir in your Soul.


Daily Scripture reading for the week is at the end of the page.           


Dr. June Normil

live as children of god

unit 1 LESSON 3

MARCH 17, 2024

STUDY TEXT: 1 John 3:1-18 


CENTRAL TRUTH: Becoming a child of God results in a transformed life.


KEY VERSE: 1 John 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he loveth not this brother (KJV).

So now we can tell who children of God are are and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God (NTL).




LET'S GET STARTED

This week we will explore what God's children "look like." Children naturally share many physical traits with their biological parents, while other similarities are shaped by the time they spend dispositions to their children--like food preferences, political views, or spending habits--causing children to reflect their parents un countless ways. In 1 John 3, t clearly reveals the Father's love and challenges us to guard against teachings that cause us to live in unrighteous ways. The Holy Spirit living in us enables us to stand against temptation, live in the righteousness of Christ, and show our love for God by loving one another.


Key Takeaways from This week's Lesson: (1). The Father's love motivates Him to call us His children. (2). Those who belong to Christ are those who choose to live in repentance and righteousness. (3). We reflect God's character when we lose one another.


  PART1 ---God's Love Frees from Satan's Power

He Calls Us His Children                  1 John 3:1-3

Jesus warmed His followers that if the world hate Him it will hate Him too (John 15:18-19). John added, "The people who belong to this world don't recognize that we are God's children because they don't know him" ( 1 John 31). Jesus also stated it more clearly for us not to be surprised when the world hates us. This should encourage us not to seek our acceptance from people of the world, because we belong to God. As His children we can find our security, identify, and acceptance in our relationship with Him. God loves us dearly, and He is for us. As long as we live in these mortal bodies, we will face temptations and deal with the consequences of sim. But the moment we pass from this Life into the next, we will be made complete in His presence. We will no longer struggle with sin or endure the effects of gin, for our earthly bodies will take on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:52-57).


REACT? According to 1John 3:3, "All who have this eager expectation [of being like Christ] will keep themselves pure." How does this assurance and hope motivate you to live a pure life.? 


If We Keep on Sinning             1 John 3:4-6

No one has ever lived a sinless life--except Jesus. That's why He is the only One who could pay the price for the sins of the world. Thankfully, when we believe in Jesus, repent of our sins, and experience His forgiveness, we are restored into a right relationship with God. But even as followers of Jesus, we still sin occasionally. It's important to understand the difference between committing a sin and choosing to continue in sin. The moment we commit a sin, we should repent, demonstrating that we belong to Christ. However, if we deliberately continue to sin and do not repent, out behavior shows we don't really know Him. when He forgives us, we have the choice responsibility to live righteously.


REACT? What is the difference between committing a sin and continuing in sin?


 

PART 2- Children of God Demonstrate Righteousness

Christ Is Righteous                       1 John 3:7-8

One of the enemy's favorite tactics is casting doubt on God's Word, twisting and warping it to fit his agenda. Just loke the original readers of 1 John, we need to be alert to any false teaching that says we can continue to live in sin and still belong to Christ. John emphasized again our behavior matters. While we can't earn our salvation by our works--it is by faith we have been save-- our righteous behavior reveals God's Spirit dwells in us. It is His grace and righteousness that empowers us to live free from the enslavement of sin.


REACT? What happened when Eve and Adam doubted the truth of God's command in Genesis 3?


Born into God's Family                               1 John 3:9-10

We learn a great deal about being "born again" from Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21). Nicodemus was a Jewish leader who witnessed the miracles of Jesus and, unlike many other Pharisees, he believed the miracles were from God. Jesus told hm, "unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God." Jesus helped Nicodemus understand the difference between physical birth and spiritual birth. Then Jesus told Nicodemus (and us) that God loved the world so much He sent His Son so everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. Jesus came to give us life and sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. The Holy Spirit lovingly convicts us of sin, reminds us of what God's Word says, and leads us to righteousness. Again, John clearly states in 1 John 3:10, "Anyone who does not love righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God." The apostle wanted believers to recognize who was truly born into the family of God.


REACT? How many times in 1 John 3:6-10 did John say that those who are born of God will not continue to sin? Why do you think he so strong emphasized this point?


Part 3--God's People Love One Another

Love Proves We Have Passed from Death to Life                             1 John 3:11-15

Within 1 John 3:11-15, John contrasts life and death, children of God children of the evil, and love and hate. He challenges us with this clear statement: 'If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life" (verse 14). How is this proof made evident? many Scriptures help us clearly understand the way God's children should walk in the fullness of the Spirit and reflect the life of Christ. The apostle Paul provided two very contrasting lists in Galatians 5---the works of the flesh (sin) and the fruit of the Spirit (righteousness). Anyone can say they love God, but a person's behavior is the true litmus test.


REACT? What is the correlation between darkness, hate, and death? What is the correlation between light, love, and life?


          Love Defined                 1 John 3:16-18

Genuine, Christlike love is so much than something you feel or something you earn. It's a decision to make sacrifices and do good for another person, no matter the cost--and the cost is often quite high. Jesus' commandment in John 15:12 was, "love each other in the same way I have loved you." Consider all the ways Jesus demonstrated His love for us:

(1). He is willing left heaven and came to earth as a helpless infant. (2). He valued people who were considered less important in His culture, including children, women, sinners, and Gentiles. (3). He healed the sick, fed the hungry, calmed storms. forgave sinners, raised the dead, embraced outcasts, and touched the untouchables. (4). He willingly endured undeserved ridicule and lay down His life so we could be forgiven of our sins. (5). He didn't leave us alone. Instead, He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in us. 


REACT? How would you define the love of Christ as described in 1 John 3:16-18? What does it look like for a believer to love this way?




WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

Becoming a child of God results in a transformed life. This transformation is seen in our decision to live righteously. This doesn't mean we're perfect; it means we recognize our sin and are quick to repent and adjust our lives to better reflect Christ. This righteousness is seen most clearly in our love for each other. Abd this love is always focused on what is best for others.


LIVING IT OUT.

                   (1). Read 1 Corinthians 13 and insert your name everywhere you see the word love. Ask yourself if you are truly demonstrating the love of Christ to those around you.

(2). Think about how you can help meet a fellow believer's needs. Then take the necessary steps to follow through.

(3). Tell someone about Jesus' unconditional, extravagant love.



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DAILY BIBLE READING


   Monday: Being the People of God. Leviticus 26:9-13

Tuesday: God's People Forever. 2 Samuel 7:18-24

              Wednesday: Promises to God's People. Jeremiah 31:32-40

                   Thursday: The Right to Become God's Children. John 1:6-21

        Friday: Confirmed as God's Children. Romans 8:16-21

       Saturday: Children of God by Faith. Galatians 3:24-29


Gospel Publishing House. 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65802 Volume 105 Number 3. Mar. Apr.  May. 2024