1 John 4:13–21 | John 15 | Galatians 5:16–26

1. Over the course of your life following Jesus, have you ever struggled with an assurance of your salvation? If not, have there ever been times where you’ve
   questioned whether or not God loves you? Explain.
2. Read 1 John 4:13–15. According to this passage, how do we know whether or not we are abiding in God? What are some of the signs that we do, in fact, abide in God?
3. Practically, what does abiding in Christ look like for you in this season of life? In what ways could you grow and deepen your practice of abiding in Jesus?
4. Read 1 John 4:16–18. What does John mean when he says “God is love,” and how does that shape everything else he says in this passage?
5. Read 1 John 4:19–21. There are times we forget or doubt how completely God loves us. What makes you forget or doubt sometimes? What makes you fail to love others fully or well at times? How are these actions connected, and how can remembering how fully you are loved affect the way you love others?
6. For us, abiding in Christ means resting in a love already proven at the cross. It means walking by the Spirit, bearing fruit, and showing to other believers a love we never earned and we don’t deserve. And as our hearts increasingly become convinced that God loves us, fear fades and our lives start to bear a resemblance to Jesus Himself. Rest assured: God loves you. Spend a few moments deeply meditating on this truth: God loves you. Only to the extent that you know this truth— that God loves you— can you have this blessed assurance, that says I am His and He is mine. Think about the gravity of that reality. Then go to God in worship and prayer together, thanking Him for the cross, and asking that His love would be reflected in every aspect of your heart, thoughts, and relationships.