Context: What did the text say to them?

Content: What does the text say to everyone?

Application: What does the text say to me?

v. 17-22 Cannot praise because of shame of division, indulgence and neglect (disregard for one another)

v. 23-27 the Grace in Christ honored and proclaimed with reverence (not lip service)

v. 28-34 judgement: the absence of honor (Judge or be judged in how you observe and honor)

Judgement:

Discipline vs. Condemnation

Examine yourself or receive

Discipline in this life or receive

Condemnation in the next

Divisions: believable

Factions: revealing those who are approved

Despising the church of God

Shaming those who have nothing

Tradition

Remembrance (personal accountability)

Proclamation (community accountability)

One another vs. Personal gain

A few Key Questions:

When you examine yourself, what are the areas of self-focus that need to be surrendered to the Lord?

What are the divisions/factions that are present in the body and what is proven in your testimony through them?

How do you make yourself personally accountable for your walk with Christ?

How do you proclaim His name until He comes?

How to respond to Him:

Dear Lord Jesus, I confess I have been living my life for what I get out of it rather than who I experience it with. I confess that my only hope is in You, Jesus, because You died for my sin, was buried and rose from the dead. Now I turn from my reliance on what I get and trust in You and follow you in relationship to glorify the Father. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus name, Amen

11/19: Read 1 John 2:15-17 Pray for the pastor to see clearly the things of the world and trust in Christ teaching as he engages the world.

11/20: Read 1 John 2:18-19 Pray for each person at FBCZ to seek the Lord during this time of transition and not fear the choices of others.

11/21: Read 1 John 2:20-23 Pray that the search committee may act in faith upon the truth they know and seek the Lord’s direction.

11/22: Read 1 John 2:24-25 Pray for the future pastor to be faithful to the gospel and basic teachings of walking with Christ.

11/23: Read 1 John 2:26-27 Pray for FBCZ, the search committee and the future pastor to depend upon the Lord’s leadership through His Holy Spirit.

11/24: Read 1 John 2:28-29 Pray for FBCZ not to fear those who oppose the will of God but to walk in the Lord’s righteousness.

11/25: Read 1 John 3:1-3: Pray for the committee to fix their hope on Jesus and be purified in their faith to a sinless life.

11/26: Read 1 John 3:4-7 Pray for the pastor to abide in Christ in his daily walk and live out the righteousness of Christ.

11/27 Read 1 John 3:7-10 Pray that the family of the pastor experiences the righteousness that is only born out of the Holy Spirit’s presence from their salvation.

11/28: Read 1 John 3:11-12 Pray that FBCZ will fulfill the word by loving each other.

11/29: Read 1 John 3:13-18 Pray for the search committee to love in deed and in truth.

11/30: Read 1 John 3:19-24 Pray for the future pastor to keep the Lord’s commandments, trusting in the name of the Son, Jesus Christ, and loving those around him.

12/1: Proverbs 3:5-6 Pray for FBCZ to wholeheartedly trust the Lord while searching for a pastor. Pray for the search committee to trust the Holy Spirit's leadership.

12/2: Revelation 2:1-7 Pray for FBCZ to return to her first love, Jesus Christ. Pray for FBCZ and the search committee to hear the Spirit clearly throughout the pastor search process.

12/3: Ephesians 4:1-6 Pray for unity and peace in FBCZ while searching for a pastor. Pray for a strong sense of unity among the search committee as they review and discuss potential pastoral candidates.