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. —I John 2:28-3:10

If we think we can be God’s children and live our life (or parts of our life) the

I. The Reason (2:28-29)

• A. Abide, Don’t Hide (v.28)
  
  1. As His children, abide in Him
  2. So that we can have confidence in Him, and when He returns
• B. The Test (v.29)
  
  1. If you practice righteousness (what is right)
  2. Our actions are manifestations of how close we are to God

The way we live our life is a

II. The Reassurance (3:1-3)

• A. Called Children of God (v. 1)
  
  1. Called to be holy
  2. The world doesn’t get it
• B. Until That Day (v. 2-3)
  
  1. Until we are made like Him, we must purify ourselves
  2. Purification is a continual act, completed in Heaven

We have been called to

III. The Reality (3:4-10)

• A. Sin is Lawlessness (v. 4-6)
  
  1. Jesus came to take sin away (v. 4-5)
     a. A
     Reveal Answer
     and regular encounter with God and
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     can have no other effect on you except to
     Reveal Answer
     !
  2. Continuing in Sin = Combating the Savior (v. 6)
• B. Proof in the Practice (v. 7-10)
  
  1. Don’t be fooled! (v. 7)
  2. The Distinction (v. 8-10)

If we lie to ourselves that we can continue in a

IV. Requirement

• A. Choose to abide in Him
  Reveal Answer
  and learn
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  ways, not
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  .
• B. Pursue Him with your whole
  Reveal Answer
  , not your
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  .
• C. Live the kind of life to others that
  Reveal Answer
  .
  

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. Based on the text, what have you learned about evidences of spiritual growth and righteous living? Is there anything you would do differently now that you’ve learned this?

4. What are some things or areas in your life that you need to take an honest look at and see the way God sees it so you can pursue righteous living more freely?

5. What assurances did John provide to you using the “moral test” of being able to see the way you live life as a kind of indicator of your personal walk with Christ?