This guide is designed to help your group create a space for genuine connection and conversation within your discussion time. Don't feel pressured to address every question each week. Instead, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you lead your group in uncovering what God intends to communicate during your time together.

This guide comprises three sections: Loving, Learning, and Living. Each section aims to steer your conversation towards meaningful discussions about spiritual growth as individuals and as members of the body of Christ.

First moments together as a group to connect and pray (approx. 10-15 min).

• How have you seen God at work in your life since the last time we met?
• What has been one high and one low since the last time we met?
• How did you do with living out what we talked about last time we met?

Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.

The majority of the group discussion is devoted to open dialogue, reflecting on God’s Word and its personal application to each of our lives (approx. 60-75 min).

Scripture References from Message: 1 John 1:5 - 2:2
Big Idea from Message: Walking with God requires you to be honest with where you are.

John begins this section with the claim that God is light - pure, true, and unbroken. What do you think when you read or hear the words, “God is life?”

In verse 6, the text talks about “practicing/working the truth.” In the context of this passage, what would it mean to practice or work truth in your life?

Can you identify an area of your life where you have “made peace” or “given excuse” to sin? Is so, how might this be negatively impacting your fellowship (relationship) with God and others?

Confession is agreeing with God both about the existence of sin in your life and how that sin is unfit for our life in Christ. Have you ever spent intentional time confessing your sin(s) to God? What did that look like or feel like for you?

How might you need Jesus to be your advocate before God the Father right now?

The challenge for the week ahead is to grow in our faith and lovingly hold each other accountable through the community.

This week, carve out time for prayer and confession. If possible, speak your words of confession aloud to God. Ask Him to both forgive you, which he’s promised to do because of what Christ has done, and to help you walk in the light and work his truth in the world. If necessary, share your confession with another follower of Jesus who can help you stay accountable to walking away from the destructive darkness of sin and, instead, deeper in fellowship with God.