THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS. Many exciting things happen during summer, including camp! This week, our children’s ministry, Discovery Village, is taking over 300 campers to CAMP DV. Kids will learn about Jesus, what it means to make him their Savior and how they can live differently because of what he has done for them. Please join us this week in praying for the kids, leaders and staff who are serving the next generation at camp.
GROUP VALUES. This month, we focus on the value of BIBLICAL TRUTH. Knowing the Bible is the trustworthy source for truth is essential to being a follower of Jesus. We grow in the knowledge of who God is and who we are in relation to him as we engage with Scripture. Check out Ada Bible’s We Believes to learn more about what our church believes regarding the Bible and other core doctrines.
GROW AS A LEADER. Understanding how your story relates to the gospel is foundational to serving other believers. We are created beings who inhabit a story, and the story of God’s work in our lives is one tool God uses to bring others to himself. Check out our video series THE GOSPEL AND YOUR STORY on Right Now Media to deepen your understanding of the gospel and how to share the good news of Jesus using your story.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to the fourth week of our sermon series, CONFIDENT, where we’re learning how to have confidence in our faith in Jesus. This week, we explore how to remain anchored in biblical truth while avoiding deception.
ICEBREAKER
Share about a time you were fooled by something that looked real but wasn’t (i.e., optical illusions, pranks, artificial intelligence, etc.). How did you eventually discover the truth?
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read 1 John 2:18-23 aloud.
What phrases or words stand out to you in this passage?
What does John mean when he says, “many antichrists have come”?
Where did these false teachers come from initially?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Aaron Buer continued our sermon series CONFIDENT by exploring the importance of discernment and the danger of false teachers. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas and main points.
Pastor Aaron said the greatest threat to the church isn’t external, but internal. Why do you think false teaching from within the church is more dangerous than opposition from outside?
When you think about our current culture, what are some examples of spiritual voices or teachings that might sound Christian but distort who Jesus is?
The Christian faith holds onto these non-negotiables about Jesus: He is the Son of God. He is the Savior. He is the King. Why are these truths crucial to hold onto without compromise?
Share a time when you believed something about God that you later learned was false. What was that belief, and how did you reorient your understanding of God toward the truth?
John encourages believers to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). We can test spiritual voices by examining whether the content aligns with Scripture and observing whether the person’s character resembles that of Jesus. Which of these two tests do you find more challenging to apply, and why?
What practical steps can you take to become more familiar with God’s Word so you can better recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice?
Pastor Aaron said that people who get lost are usually alone. What’s one area where you’d like to grow in spiritual discernment, and how can our group help support you in that growth?
WRAP UP
This week, we learned that remaining in the truth is essential for confidence in our faith. What from this conversation or the sermon encouraged or challenged you the most, and why?