True Story Series Discussion Questions
February 1, 2026 - To Know the Truth
What were the last two conversations you have had about discerning truth from A.I.?
Have you heard of famous people asking about the claims of Christianity?
What did it mean for John to source truth in eternity? Why does he start "from the beginning"?
Why is it so shocking for eternity to step into history in the flesh of Jesus?
Why is it also shocking for John, Peter, Paul, James, and Jude to claim verifiable eye witness accounts?
How has philology and archeology affirmed the historicity of Jesus and the Bible? How does this make Christianity unique among religions?
How would you benefit from "nerding out" on apologetics?
Suggested Apologetic Websites:
Wes Huff: wesleyhuff.com
Frank Turek: crossexamined.org
William Lane Craig: reasonablefaith.org
Mike Winger: biblethinker.org
Recommended Podcast:
Impact 360 Institute
Alisa Childers Podcast
Think Biblically
What does it mean for this information to be relational? What does the Greek word “koinonia” communicate?
Have you found a table to sit around? Why is this needed in life?
John ends with the main point of verifying the word... it's meant to be transformational. Who is in need of transformation and how does sin fight against it?
February 8, 2026 - Momentous Effect in Abiding
Have you ever messed around with mentos and sodas? Guaranteed results give us guaranteed fun.
In today's passage, we find the guaranteed assurance we can find in Jesus' work in our lives from the inside out. How do you know that you are saved?
In John 2:1-2, John emphasizes Jesus' advocacy and atonement. How are these connected to grace, and what does it speak to us about salvation?
Grace has a CONTINUED effect on us. Read together John 2:3-6
We know we have been saved if we "keep His commandments". Is this a new law that we are called to force upon ourselves? How is this a progressive reality of learning the heart and mind of Jesus?
What does it mean to abide in Him? How important is it for John to drive home the foundation and need of abiding in Him?
What is the effect of abiding in Him?
What is the difference between being sinless and progressively sinning less? How is this connected to loving the heart and mind of Jesus?
How did you hear this in the examples Michael gave?
How do you find assurance of salvation in your heart’s desire to keep His word? What is the difference between living in anxiety and finding assurance?
What areas do you need to hold in check before Jesus and continue growth in the keeping of His word?
When our hearts and minds are changed to be like His, and we are living in the abiding power of His presence, then an external effect begins to happen. How does this new power change an old commandment?
How should our love for people be connected to Jesus’ love for us?
What was the progression found in the illustration of Michael's new house? How did his neighbors know someone new had moved in?
What area of your life, head, and heart needs to be checked before the mind and heart of Jesus? What specific areas do you need to grow in obedience and understanding?
Do your neighbors know you are His by the love they see in you? What needs to change in your heart to produce greater love expressed to people in your life?
February 15, 2026 - The Love God Hates
When you think about Michael's heart when it comes to cleaning the house, what is the difference between Michael cleaning because he has to and Michael cleaning because he shares Stacia's heart for a clean house?
We begin by looking at the love we are called to learn to hate, 1 John 2:15-17. What does John mean by "the world"?
John breaks the love of the world into three implications; love of the belly, love of the eyes, and love of ones own agenda. How do they compare to Genesis 3 and Adam and Eves love for the tree of good and evil?
Love for the world will fail you in these three ways; it will never give you what your belly needs, it will always fail to satisfy your eyes, and it will always be formed by your agenda and lead to death. What happens to your temptations or idols when you begin to see them through this lens?
How can this be applied to specific areas of trouble and begin to change the way you feel (love/hate) this temptation?
These three areas of temptation are defeated when you abide in His word and love forever.
What do we learn from abiding in His love as children and fathers?
How is the section of abiding in His love as young men connected to Jesus' temptation in the wilderness and in the garden? How does this love help us overcome the evil one?
God is what our bellies need. God is what will satisfy our eyes forever. Finding our purpose in His agenda will always lead to life. How do you fall in love with this truth and allow it to shape your life and your struggles?
Are you abiding more in the world or more in His perfect love?
February 22, 2026 - Know Where Not to Stay
John gets the reader’s attention by framing their life with the reality of living in the "last hour". How did Jesus define the last hour and how does that impact the way we are to live in the last hour?
Jesus made claims that separated Him from every other human in all of history. Take some time to talk through each of these points.
He claimed to be THE Son of God
He claimed to be THE only Redeemer
He claimed to be THE Anointed Anointer
He claimed to be coming back soon
In the last days we are told that antichrists will be among us. Look at Matthew 24:4-5, 10-11, what did Jesus say about these false messiahs and false prophets?
How did John experience this among the disciples?
How do anti messiahs: Deny/Diminish Jesus being the Son of God, Distort Redemption, Deceive an understanding of anointing, and lead people astray?
Why do we need to recognize and call these false messiahs out?
John's ultimate solution and call to action protect us from false messiahs by making sure we are only surrounded with the true messiah. Why does John emphasize again our need to ABIDE IN THE WORD?
How does abiding in Jesus give us assurance of salvation, confidence in living, and purpose toward what mattered to Jesus?
When you think of Jesus' return what fills your mind? Excitement or anxiety? Abiding in the Word should fill us with comfort and direct us to the fruit of the Spirits work of righteous living. How does this change the way you live?
March 1, 2026 - Live Ready
What stood out to you from this text and from the sermon?
If Jesus were to return before the end of 2026, how would you spend the next 10 months?
What habits in your life draw you closer to Jesus as you anticipate his return? What compromises erode your confidence as a Christ-follower?
Christians are adopted sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. How does your adoption shape your identity? Where do you struggle to see yourself the way God sees you?
If the true test of your theology is how you treat people, is your Christianity visible in how you speak about others? In how you love?
March 8, 2026 - Living out Love, or Child of Hate?
According to 1 John 3:11–18, how does John define real love? What stood out to you most from this passage?
John contrasts love with the example of Cain (v.12). Why do you think hatred and jealousy are so destructive in relationships?
Verse 14 says that loving others is evidence that we have “passed from death to life.” What do you think John means by that?
In verse 16, John says we should lay down our lives for others just as Jesus did. What might “laying down our lives” look like in everyday life?
Verse 17 talks about helping a brother or sister in need. Why do you think it can be difficult for us to respond with generosity or action?
John concludes by saying we should love “not in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (v.18). What is one practical way you can show that kind of love this week?