Having the Heart of Jesus: Discussion Questions for 1 John 5

Who were your "idols" when you were growing up? What kinds of things did you do because you were their fan(wear their clothes, talk like them, go to concerts, etc...)?

Read 1 John 5:20-21.

Why do you think John ends this book with a command to "keep yourselves from idols?"

What idols do you think the Christians to whom he was writing were worshiping?

What do you think he means by "idols"? What kinds of idol worship do people in our society struggle with?

In verse 20, John seems to emphasize that God and Jesus are the "TRUE" God. What makes something a false god?

Talk about the following four statements from 1 John. What idols do these statements confront?

• "If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie..."
• "Do not love the world or anything in the world"
• "Do not be like Cain, who... murdered his brother"
• "Whoever does not love does not know God"

John says "keep yourself from idols". How would you express that same idea in your own words?

What idols have you allowed to replace God at times in your life? What can you do this week to avoid idols?