The Abiding Life – 1 John 2:18-29

By David Woods

Read 1 John 2:18

Discussion: When you hear that the Antichrist is coming, what does that do you? What are your thoughts, your feelings? Fear?

Discussion: What do you think the believers to whom the apostle John wrote this letter thought?

Discussion: John writes that there are already many antichrists. What does this mean?

Discussion: Do you believe this to be true – that there are already many antichrists in the world today? Do you recognize this to be true? And, what is the difference between believing this to be true and recognizing it to be reality?

Read 1 John 2:19-22

Discussion: How can we recognize antichrists?

1. Antichrists leave the Church – the people of God, v. 19.

Discussion: What does this mean? How do antichrists leave God’s people?

2. Antichrists deny that Jesus is the Christ, v. 22.

Discussion: What are some ways that antichrists deny Christ?

(Consider both overt and subtle ways that people deny that Jesus is Christ. It may also be helpful to define what “Christ” means. We often use the names “Jesus” and “Christ” interchangeably, but they do have different meanings.)

Discussion: What gives the Christian confidence in the midst of antichrists?

1. The follower of Christ has been anointed by Christ, v. 20.

Discussion: What does it mean to be anointed by Christ? What happens as the result of being anointed by Christ?

2. The follower of Christ has knowledge through Christ, vv. 20, 27.

Discussion: Do John’s statements in these verses suggest that Christians have no need to learn more about spiritual matters? What is John saying in stating that the follower of Christ has knowledge?

3. The follower of Christ has the Father through Christ, v. 23.

Discussion: What is the significance of this fact?

4. The follower of Christ has the promise of eternal life through Christ, v. 25.

Discussion: How does the promise of eternal life change us?

Big Idea: Abiding in Christ gives us supreme confidence.

Application: How should the fact that antichrists are already in the world change how we live and think?

Application: Are you living confidently? Why or why not?

Application: What does it mean to “abide” in Christ?

Application: What are steps we should take to abide in Christ throughout this next week?