The Dear Friends series explores the pastoral heart of the Apostle John as he writes to believers about what it looks like to know Christ and live faithfully as His people.

In 1 John 2:28–3:24, John reminds us that following Jesus is not simply about what we believe, but about who we are becoming. Because we have been made children of God, our lives should increasingly reflect the character of our Father. We are called to remain in Christ, turn away from sin, pursue righteousness, and love one another—not to earn God's love, but because we have already received it.

At the heart of the passage is a simple invitation: live like the children of God you have been made to be.

Looking Back

Centre Yourself

Begin by taking a few moments to become still.

Invite everyone to sit quietly and take a few slow breaths. Then read this slowly:

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" — 1 John 3:1

Allow 30 seconds of silence.

Then invite the group to consider: "I am loved by God. I belong to Him. I am His child."

Reflect

• Over the past fortnight, where have you noticed God drawing you closer to Himself? What has He been teaching, challenging or revealing to you?
• Where have you found it difficult to live out your faith recently? What circumstances, habits or attitudes have made following Jesus difficult?

Looking Up

Read

Read 1 John 2:28–3:24 together.

As you read, ask the group to listen for the different ways John describes what it looks like to be a child of God.

After reading, take a moment of silence before discussing the questions.

Discuss

1. "See what great love the Father has lavished on us…" (3:1)

John begins by grounding Christian identity in the love of God. Before he tells his readers how to live, he reminds them of who they are.

• What stands out to you about the way John describes our identity as children of God?
• How might knowing that you are already loved by God change the way you approach obedience, sin and spiritual growth?

2. John connects being a child of God with becoming more like Jesus.

Read 2:28–29 and 3:2–3 again.

John says that those who hope in Christ "purify themselves" and that those who practise righteousness demonstrate that they belong to God.

• What do you think John means by becoming more like Christ?
• Why do you think Christian identity and Christian behaviour are so closely connected in this passage?
• How can we pursue holiness without falling into the mindset that we need to earn God's love?

3. "Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." (3:18)

John moves from righteousness to love. He gives a very practical picture of Christian love: seeing a brother or sister in need and responding to them.

• What does this passage teach us about the difference between saying we love people and actually loving them?
• Who might God be inviting you to notice more carefully at the moment?
• What could practical love look like in your everyday life?

4. John finishes by bringing everything back to faith, love and obedience.

Read 3:23–24 again:

"And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us."

• Why do you think John brings belief in Jesus and love for one another together?
• What does it look like for faith in Jesus to become visible through the way we love people?
• What do you notice about the role of the Holy Spirit in verse 24?

Optional Resource

For further reflection, consider watching BibleProject's overview of 1 John before the discussion. Pay particular attention to the themes of love, obedience, assurance and becoming like Jesus.

Looking Ahead

• If you genuinely believed this week that you are deeply loved and truly a child of God, what difference would that make to the way you live?
• Where is Jesus inviting you to become more like Him?
• Is there a habit, attitude, relationship or area of obedience where you need to take a next step?
• Who is one person you could intentionally love through action this fortnight?
• What is one practical thing you could do to demonstrate the love of Christ to them?

Next Step

Take a moment individually and complete this sentence:

"Because I am a child of God, this fortnight I will…"

Invite everyone to share their response if they feel comfortable.

Prayer

Father,

thank You for the great love You have lavished upon us, that we can be called Your children.

Help us to remain in Christ and to become more like Him. Where there is sin in us, give us courage to turn from it. Where there is selfishness, teach us to love. Where there is fear, remind us of who we are in You.

Give us eyes to see the people around us and hearts willing to love not only with our words, but through our actions and in truth.

May our faith in Jesus become visible in the way we live, love and serve.

Holy Spirit, remain at work within us and lead us deeper into the life of Christ.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.