Real Faith: Real Faith Lives as God’s Child
Group Leader Guide
Sermon Recap 🎬
Have you ever wondered what it truly means to be called a child of God? Pastor John Mark unpacks this profound truth from 1 John, revealing how God's lavish love transforms us from spiritual orphans into beloved sons and daughters. Through vivid DNA analogies and the touching story of the prodigal son, he shows how our heavenly Father runs toward us with grace rather than condemnation. Whether you're seeking assurance of salvation or longing to come home from a distant country, this message offers hope and clarity about your identity in Christ. Don't miss this powerful reminder of God's adopting love and the glorious future that awaits His children.
Ice Breaker 🧊
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, but it had to be eaten in alphabetical order, what would your first meal be?
Discussion Questions 💬
Pastor John Mark explains that God doesn't have grandchildren, only children. What does this mean in terms of salvation, and how does it relate to John 1:12?
The sermon emphasizes that salvation doesn't come with a family membership - each person must individually receive and believe in Jesus Christ to become a child of God.
How has your personal faith journey been influenced by your family's beliefs, and what steps have you taken to make your faith your own?
The sermon discusses how being a child of God starts with His love, not our performance. How does this perspective change the way we approach our relationship with God?
Pastor John Mark emphasized that God 'lavished' His love on us first, rather than waiting for us to clean ourselves up or earn His love.
In what areas of your life do you find yourself trying to earn God's love rather than receiving it freely?
The story of the Prodigal Son was used to illustrate how a child of God might not always look like one. What does it mean that 'grace will always outrun your guilt'?
In the sermon, it was noted that while the son walked slowly in his guilt, the father ran toward him with grace, showing God's eagerness to restore His children.
Have there been times in your life when you felt too guilty to approach God? How does this message about God's grace change that perspective?
The sermon describes three tenses of salvation: justification (I was saved), sanctification (I am being saved), and glorification (I will be saved). How do these different aspects work together in a believer's life?
Pastor John Mark explained how salvation involves past forgiveness, present growth, and future transformation into Christ's likeness.
Which of these three aspects of salvation do you find yourself thinking about most often, and why?
According to 1 John 3:1-2, what does it mean that we will 'be like Him' when Christ appears, and how should this future hope affect our present actions?
The sermon discusses how Christians can look forward without fear because we will be transformed to be like Christ, and this hope should lead us to purify ourselves.
How does the promise of future transformation influence your daily choices and priorities today?
Prayer 🙏
Begin by sharing any personal prayer requests.
Ask God to help us live as His children every day, not just on Sundays.
Pray for the strength to deal honestly with sin and seek forgiveness.
Pray for the courage to stand firm in God's truth against false teachings.
