Faith Talk – September 21, 2025
Faith Talks are designed to help you keep the conversation going beyond Sunday morning. Use this guide with your family or friends to reflect on the sermon and Life Group lesson, pray together, and put God’s Word into practice. Think of this guide as a starting place—then let God shape the conversation.
Sermon
Title: The Joy of Our Fellowship
Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4
Overview: John opens his first epistle by affirming the reality of Jesus Christ—the eternal Word of Life who was seen, heard, and touched. Against false teachings that denied His humanity, John testifies to the incarnation and declares that fellowship with God and with one another flows from Christ alone. This fellowship is marked by assurance of salvation and fullness of joy.
Main Points:
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
For Students & Adults
Application: Fellowship with God through Christ naturally leads to fellowship with His people. This week, take intentional steps to deepen both: spend time in personal communion with God and pursue authentic connection with another believer.
Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4
Overview: John opens his first epistle by affirming the reality of Jesus Christ—the eternal Word of Life who was seen, heard, and touched. Against false teachings that denied His humanity, John testifies to the incarnation and declares that fellowship with God and with one another flows from Christ alone. This fellowship is marked by assurance of salvation and fullness of joy.
Main Points:
- The Truth of the Incarnation — Jesus is the eternal Word of Life, fully God and fully man.
- The Testimony of Our Participation — True fellowship begins vertically with God and overflows horizontally into the church.
- The Theme of Our Inspiration — Joy is the fruit of abiding in Christ, even in trials, but sin can rob us of this joy.
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
- Who is Jesus, and why is it important to know He was both God and man?
- How does being part of God’s family make you feel?
- What is something that brings you joy because of Jesus?
For Students & Adults
- Why was John so insistent that Jesus came in the flesh? How does this shape your faith today?
- In what ways can fellowship with other believers strengthen your relationship with God?
- How can you guard your joy in Christ when sin or trials threaten to steal it?
Application: Fellowship with God through Christ naturally leads to fellowship with His people. This week, take intentional steps to deepen both: spend time in personal communion with God and pursue authentic connection with another believer.
Life Group
Scripture: 1 Kings 18-19
Christ/Gospel Connections:
All of Scripture points back to Jesus. In our study each week, every age group’s lesson includes a note about how the message connects to Christ. Use these Christ/Gospel Connections as a springboard for meaningful discussion about who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
Preschool – The fire came down to show the people of Israel that the Lord is God. When Jesus came to earth, the Holy Spirit came down like a dove to show that Jesus is God’s Son.
Kids – God sent fire down from heaven to prove that He alone is Lord. God sent the Holy Spirit like flames of fire on Jesus’ disciples to empower them to tell others that Jesus is God’s Son who saves people from sin.
Students – Christ, like Elijah, confronted the religious leaders who were leading people astray. He boldly proclaimed the truth of the gospel and called people to repentance. Christ is the only way to the Father and the only way to salvation.
Adults – The Lord is the one true God, and “Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:11).
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
For Students & Adults
Christ/Gospel Connections:
All of Scripture points back to Jesus. In our study each week, every age group’s lesson includes a note about how the message connects to Christ. Use these Christ/Gospel Connections as a springboard for meaningful discussion about who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
Preschool – The fire came down to show the people of Israel that the Lord is God. When Jesus came to earth, the Holy Spirit came down like a dove to show that Jesus is God’s Son.
Kids – God sent fire down from heaven to prove that He alone is Lord. God sent the Holy Spirit like flames of fire on Jesus’ disciples to empower them to tell others that Jesus is God’s Son who saves people from sin.
Students – Christ, like Elijah, confronted the religious leaders who were leading people astray. He boldly proclaimed the truth of the gospel and called people to repentance. Christ is the only way to the Father and the only way to salvation.
Adults – The Lord is the one true God, and “Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:11).
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
- Why did God send fire from heaven to show His power?
- What does it mean that Jesus is God’s Son who saves us?
For Students & Adults
- What “idols” in our culture—or in our own lives—compete with God for our worship?
- How does Elijah’s boldness encourage you to stand firm in your faith?
- In what ways does declaring “Jesus Christ is Lord” challenge or encourage you this week?
Pray Together
- Thank God for revealing Himself as the one true God.
- Commit to turning away from idols and following Christ alone.
- Ask God for boldness to share the truth of the gospel in word and action.
Activity
Fire or Fake?
Supplies:
Instructions:
- small slips of paper
- pens
- bowl
Instructions:
- Give each person a slip of paper.
- Ask them to quietly write down one “idol” or distraction that can pull their heart away from God (examples: popularity, success, possessions, sports).
- Collect the papers in a bowl.
- Pray together, asking God to consume these idols in your lives just as He sent fire to show His power on Mount Carmel.
- End by reading Philippians 2:11 aloud: “Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
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