The Compass

A Daily Personal Reflection & Small Group Discussion Guide

by John Hay, Jr.
Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church

Series: 10 Bible Stories that Build Outgoing Disciples
John - Getting as Close
to Jesus as Possible

1 John 4:7-21

TRACKING THE WORD
John, "the disciple who Jesus loved," shows us what is possible when you choose to get as close to Jesus as possible across a lifetime.

1. John's writings reflect on what it means to be chosen and loved by Jesus.

1 John 4:9-10, John 15:9-11, 16

A. While the other Gospels seem to mostly report on what Jesus did, John's writings reflect more on the meaning and significance of Jesus' life, words, and actions.

B. What differences does it make to you that Jesus chooses you to be his disciple (instead of you just wanting to be or choosing to be his disciple)?

C. John sees that love for God is a responding love, not an originating love. What difference does this make in how we pray and act in Jesus' name?

2. John's life and understanding of religion is transformed by virtue of his close and constant contact with Jesus.

1 John 1:1-4, 4:7-10

A. Early in his apprenticeship to Jesus, John's words and actions make clear he has very shallow and selfish notions about religion and his relationship to Jesus.

B. There is no single or series of "aha" moments in which John's life and understanding of faith changed. Instead, his life is transformed as he
(1) stayed close to Jesus,
(2) listened carefully to Jesus,
(3) contemplated all he observed, and
(4 enacted with his own words and
deeds what he observed.

C. What words and/or actions of Jesus seem to make the biggest impression or impact on your life? How do they continue to shape and change your life?

3. John helps us grasp the connection between God's love for us and our love for one another.

John 15:12, 17; 1 John 4:7-8, 11-12, 19-21

A. According to John, what is the primary evidence that we are "born of God?"

B. What does John call a person who says they love God but hates their brother (1 John 4:20)?

C. Why is this connection between God's love for us, our love for God and our love for others so important?

MARKINGS FOR THE JOURNEY

WE ARE CHOSEN We are chosen by God. That means we are seen by God in our preciousness, in our individuality. We are seen as precious in God's eyes. The life of the beloved starts by trusting that we are chosen in our uniqueness, that we are unique in God's eyes, precious." - Henri Nouwen

A FRIEND INDEED "When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares." -- Henri Nouwen

GOD'S LOVE "You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It's for you I created the universe. I love you. There's only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too." - F. Buechner

RESPONSES & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Want to explore The Compass with others? Have questions?

If you'd like to connect with others who are working weekly with The Compass, e-mail me or call the church office (317.632.8311)

If you have questions about Scriptures or some of the questions, or just want to share what your are discovering through The Compass, you are welcome to e-mail me.

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