Personal Daily ReadingsMonday – Matthew 16:13-27What do your two closest friends think about Jesus? Do your actions prove or contradict their theories?

Tuesday – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24Find 8 or 9 different influences or people in this passage and list the different ways we should respond to each.

Wednesday – Proverbs 3:1-35How much effort do you exert in seeking for wisdom? What sources of information do you consult most regularly? Thursday – Galatians 1:11-24Paul saw that everything in his life was supernatural -- do you view all your circumstances that way? Why or why not?

Friday – 1 John 4:7-5:5Write down all of the main truths of this passage. Then try to summarize them all into one short sentence. Share with group.

Preparation for Group:1. Start a list of the 10 most influential people in your life. Add to it during the week as you think of others. Pay attention to daily influences. Whose opinions do you value? Who tends to be very persuasive? Who usually agrees with you? Who intimidates you and why? Who are you trying to impress? Add these to your list.

2. Is there any influence in your life (television shows, radio broadcasts, Internet sites, music, etc.) that you need to “test” to see whether it is from God? What is your plan of action if an influence doesn’t pass the test?

3. Read Proverbs 8:1-21. What are the many benefits of wisdom, discernment, or good judgment? How hard are you willing to work to obtain godly discernment?

Week 7 – 1 John 4:1-6 and 2 JohnMain Ingredient: Discernment

Spiritual DiscernmentIt is the God-given ability to determine if a

___________ or a ____________ is truly from God, and not a ________________.

Big Idea:Before you can effectively reach your _________, you must accurately discern that ________ are following the God of the Bible.

The Incarnation TestWho are you _______________? 1 John 4:1, Ephesians 2:2

Teaching Prophet Spirit

God

Satan

1. To be _______________ or not. 2 John 7-8, Acts 17:11

2. To be ____________ or not. 2 John 5-6, 1 John 3:23,

1 John 4:7-8, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Timothy 2:24

3. To be ________ or not. 1 Corinthians 11:28, Matthew 7:22-23

Have you put a real ________, in a real ________, for a real

________________?

Part 1 – The _______ Test 1 John 4:2

Part 2 – The _______ Test 1 John 4:2, John 1:14, Colossians 2:9

Part 3 – The __________________ Test 1 John 4:2, Revelation 2:2

1 John 4:3-4, 1 John 2:22-23; Mark 13:22; 1 Timothy 4:1, John 14:18,20

YES NODo you believe that Jesus,

the Messiah, is ________ ______?

YES NODo you believe that Jesus, the

Messiah, is ________ ______?

YES NOIs your __________ to Jesus, the

Messiah, the God/Man?

The Influence TestWho are you ____________ to? 1 John 4:5-6

The Implication TestWhat are my ____________?