OPEN
If new people have joined your group, take time to introduce yourselves to each other.

How would you finish these sentences? Give people time to think about it, then share.
1. A kingdom man is someone who…
2. A kingdom woman is someone who…

PRAY
Father, we invite You to lead our conversation today. Give us wisdom and understanding as we read Scripture. Help us see what You want us to see and hear what You want to speak into our lives. Give us humble hearts that are willing to learn, grow and even be challenged. Help us to be honest with You and with each other. Give us the grace to listen well, to speak with kindness, and to make this a place where people feel safe to share their questions, struggles and experiences. Protect the unity of this group. When we see things differently, help us respond with patience, humility and love.

Most of all, don’t let this simply be a time where we gain more information. Use Your Word to shape us and change us. Show each of us how You are inviting us to respond, and give us the courage to live out what You teach us.

We surrender this time to You and trust You with whatever You want to accomplish in us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

GROUP TIPS
◾If your group has eight or more people, it might be helpful to break into circles of four or five for greater participation and deeper discussion. When you come back together, invite each group to share a few takeaways from their conversation.

◾Don’t worry if you don’t get to all the questions. Spend time reading and really thinking about what the Bible is saying and what God is revealing to you personally.

1. What happens when a person truly knows they’ve been forgiven?

2. What does it mean to know Him who is from the beginning?

3. What does it mean to overcome the evil one?

4. What’s one spiritual battle where you need to replace a lie with the truth of God’s Word?

5. What kind of strength do you think John has in mind when he tells believers they are strong?

6. A person with Godly strength is someone who…

7. Where in your life right now do you feel spiritually strong? Where do you feel vulnerable or spiritually weak? How have you been dealing with that?

8. What tends to happen in you when you become discouraged spiritually—do you withdraw, strive harder, become self-critical, distract yourself or move toward God? Share an example.

9. Think back over the last five years. Where can you see evidence that God has made you stronger than you used to be?

10. What does this passage suggest about the relationship between our identity in Christ and the way we live?

11. What connection is John trying to make between fathers and young men?

12. How can our church develop a culture where mature believers intentionally invest in those who are younger in the faith? What role do you have in that?

13. What experiences, stories or lessons from your walk with God could you share that might encourage or help someone younger in their faith?

14. What might it look like for the Word of God to genuinely abide or remain in someone?

15. What Scripture do you currently need to have abiding in you? Why did you choose that one?

16. Based on this passage, how would you describe what it means to be a kingdom man?

17. If John were writing these verses personally to you today, which sentence would you most need him to repeat?

STEP BY STEP
Life with God is a journey. Some seasons bring steady progress, while others call us to slow down, wait and trust him when we can’t see the way ahead. We don’t have to figure out the whole road today—just take the next faithful step.

What’s one thing you’ll take with you from this week’s study and discussion? Ask God what He wants to say to you, then spend a few minutes quietly listening for Him to speak. This could be a word or phrase from the passage that stands out to you, or a simple thought He brings to mind.

PRAY
Share what you sensed God saying to you and pray for each other.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Memorizing Scripture helps us carry the words of God with us all the time, wherever we go. His Word gives light and direction and ultimately has the power to change us and deepen our relationship with Him. Here’s a good verse to memorize based on this week’s teaching:

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:11 (NIV)

GUIDED TIME WITH GOD
Spending time with God in Scripture deepens our relationship with Him and allows His Word to shape more and more of who we are. Do this by yourself or with your group. Or both!

Spend 5-10 minutes meditating on Psalm 8. Consider the following questions:

◾What words or phrases stand out to you? Why are those important?
◾What specific things do you learn about God in this passage?
◾How would you summarize this passage in a sentence or two?
◾ How might this Psalm shape the way you pray, think or live this week?

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200.

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.