As believers, our position in Christ and the family of God changes everything. We have been transformed; who we were before is not who we are now. But did you know what we will be is not who we are now? I was inspired by Ben Fuller’s song “Who I Am” to study what Scripture says is the evidence and responsibility of a child of God.
Join me as we plumb the depths of 1 John this week.
In this episode, I discuss the following:
- Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week’s Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Listen to an audio version of the text
- Start with God
- Mark up the text
- Meditate on God’s Word
- Define words
- Explore a theme
- Repetition
- Make a list
- The goal of the podcast is not to “mix it up” but instead discover and meditate on God’s Word — even if you stay in the same place for awhile
- Companion episodes to this week
- Looking for what God is concerned about before looking for how Scripture speaks to your concerns
- Reading with an antenna up for repeated words or themes that rise to the surface
- The Greek and English definitions of the word “abide”
- Measuring your life against God’s definition and adjusting accordingly
- The characteristics of a child of God in 1 John
- Practice righteousness – 1 John 2:29
- Anticipate further transformation at the coming of Christ – 1 John 3:2
- Don’t practice sinning – 1 John 3:9
- Contrasted with the children of the devil – 1 John 3:10
- Love each other – 1 John 3:10, 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:2
- Know God – 1 John 4:7
- Believe that Jesus is the Christ – 1 John 5:1
- Love God and obey His commands – 1 John 5:2
- Overcome the world – 1 John 5:4
- Protect fellow believers – 1 John 5:18
- Avalon: A Christian Allegory (Kingdom Journey) by Valerie Howard – Amazon Paid Link
To abide with God means we make our home with Him. And if you’ve ever lived with anyone, you tend to mimic the way they do things.
More Than a Song Playlist
Additional Resources
- Lyrics – NewReleaseToday.com
- I love marking up the text in these journals – Illuminated Scripture Journal Amazon Paid Link
- My new favorite Bible Study Software – Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link
This Week’s Challenge
Reread 1 John this week. Spend a couple of days meditating on something really important to God — abiding. Ponder what it means and what it looks like here in Scripture and as it plays out in our lives. Then shift your attention to being a child of God. What should be evident in our lives due to this holy transformation? Then celebrate with your Savior, “I’m a child of the Most High God, and the Most High God’s for me!”
