Can women speak in church? Can they serve as leaders? What is replacement theology? What’s the truth about Jews and Gentiles in the church? I asked my friend about Catholic confirmation, and it feels like he’s now shunning me. How do you know your calling? I want to date a Catholic woman, but I’m not sure how to start the conversation about our different beliefs.

Is 1 John 1:9 a Bridge or a Barrier?

Discussion Questions for 1 John:

1. Read 1 John 1:1-4. Why does John mention so many physical words? In verses 3-4, why specifically is he proclaiming that Jesus is physical?
2. Read 1 John 1:5. Is there any darkness in God? As a believer, are you in Him or are you in the darkness? Explain why this is important to the whole passage.
3. Read 1 John 1:6-7. How do these two verses contrast an unsaved person and a believer?
4. Read 1 John 1:8-10. How do verses 8 and 10 do the same as verses 6 and 7 in contrasting an unsaved person and a believer? Why is this a big deal in interpreting verse 9 in the middle?
5. Read 1 John 1:9. How is this the “bridge” that invites the unbeliever to come to their senses and be saved? If they do, what will be the benefit mentioned here?
6. Read 1 John 2:12. What does this say about the believer’s forgiveness? How does this lend further support to a healthy interpretation of 1 John 1:9?
7. Read 1 John 2:13-14. Why do you think John keeps talking about us “knowing Him”?
8. Read verse 14 again. What about “the word of God abides in you”? How does this phrase help us better understand who John really meant in 1 John 1:10?

Did James understand grace? Did he disagree with Paul? Was James “zealous for the law”? Did James teach “certain men” to be legalistic?

Is Jesus half-God and half-man? I’m a new believer, and I wonder what dependency on the Lord really looks like. What is the “secret place” in Psalm 91? Do the “bowls of wrath” in Revelation 16 relate to creatures, to humans, or to both?

How did Jesus live 33 years without sinning? Did the way of salvation get narrower or wider after Jesus? Who is invited? Is “slain in the spirit” a biblical concept? Do we need to call God and Jesus by their Hebrew names? Why are there so many Bible versions? Why does the King James Bible have extra verses in it?

How should we view the Beatitudes in Matthew 5? Do they refer to the church? Or are they Law-based? My kids engage in a ton of sibling rivalry. How can I be a better parent? My pastor is constantly chastising and disciplining us. I wonder: Is this Biblical?

Are you fondue? Is God melting you like cheese? Breaking you? Humbling you? Do you need to “surrender” to God? Do Christians have a “sinful nature”? Where do the sinful thoughts really come from?

*previously aired