Faith Talk – October 19, 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: An Apocalyptic Warning
Scripture: 1 John 2:18-29
Overview: John warns believers that we are living in “the last hour,” marked by real spiritual opposition and deception. He distinguishes between the future, singular “antichrist” and the present “many antichrists” who deny Jesus. He explains why some depart from the faith (apostasy) and reassures believers of the Spirit’s “anointing,” calling us to remain (abide) in Christ with confidence until He appears.
Main Points:
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
For Students & Adults
Application: Choose one “abiding” practice (unhurried Scripture reading, prayerful silence, confession, or simple obedience to a clear command) and build it into your daily rhythm for the next seven days. Share your choice with someone who will encourage you.
Scripture: 1 John 2:18-29
Overview: John warns believers that we are living in “the last hour,” marked by real spiritual opposition and deception. He distinguishes between the future, singular “antichrist” and the present “many antichrists” who deny Jesus. He explains why some depart from the faith (apostasy) and reassures believers of the Spirit’s “anointing,” calling us to remain (abide) in Christ with confidence until He appears.
Main Points:
- The Antichrist: Scripture anticipates a final, lawless ruler; even now many “antichrists” oppose or replace Christ with counterfeits.
- The Apostasy: Some leave the church because they never truly belonged; perseverance reveals genuine faith.
- The Anointing: Believers receive the Holy Spirit at conversion, who helps us grasp the truth and continue abiding in Christ.
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
- What makes someone a real friend of Jesus? How can you tell if something is leading you closer to Him or away from Him?
- John says to “remain” (stay) with Jesus. What could that look like for you this week at home or school?
- If a friend says something about Jesus that isn’t true, what should you do?
For Students & Adults
- Where do you see “instead-of-Christ” substitutes tempting your heart (comfort, success, approval, experiences, etc.)? How do those subtly pull you from abiding?
- John ties perseverance to genuine faith. What practices help you continue in Christ when you feel tired, doubtful, or distracted?
- How does the Spirit’s anointing (His presence and teaching) practically shape the way you test truth claims and teaching?
- What would it mean for you to meet Jesus “with confidence and not be ashamed at His coming” (v. 28) in your current season?
Application: Choose one “abiding” practice (unhurried Scripture reading, prayerful silence, confession, or simple obedience to a clear command) and build it into your daily rhythm for the next seven days. Share your choice with someone who will encourage you.
Life Group
Scripture: Hosea
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 – Even when we do not love God as we should, He still loves us. God showed His love by sending Jesus to save us.
Kids – Israel was not faithful to God, but God was faithful to Israel, just as Hosea loved his wife even when she didn’t love him. God is faithful to save all sinners who repent and trust in Jesus.
Students – Hosea’s relationship with Gomer reminds us of God’s relationship with the people of Israel and with us. Even though we are unfaithful and love many other things more than Him, God still loves us. God’s love sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sin to bring us back to Him.
Adults – Though Gomer was unfaithful, God commanded Hosea to take her back in love and compassion, symbolizing God’s own love and forgiveness for His people, Israel. One day, Israel will return and seek after the messianic King, Jesus (Romans 11). Through faith in Jesus, all who believe are forgiven and reconciled with God because of God’s grace and mercy.
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 – Even when we do not love God as we should, He still loves us. God showed His love by sending Jesus to save us.
Kids – Israel was not faithful to God, but God was faithful to Israel, just as Hosea loved his wife even when she didn’t love him. God is faithful to save all sinners who repent and trust in Jesus.
Students – Hosea’s relationship with Gomer reminds us of God’s relationship with the people of Israel and with us. Even though we are unfaithful and love many other things more than Him, God still loves us. God’s love sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sin to bring us back to Him.
Adults – Though Gomer was unfaithful, God commanded Hosea to take her back in love and compassion, symbolizing God’s own love and forgiveness for His people, Israel. One day, Israel will return and seek after the messianic King, Jesus (Romans 11). Through faith in Jesus, all who believe are forgiven and reconciled with God because of God’s grace and mercy.
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
- Hosea kept loving Gomer even when she didn’t love him back. How does that show us what God is like?
- What does it mean to “return to the Lord”? What is one way you can turn back to Him today?
- How does Jesus show God’s never-stopping love for us?
For Students & Adults
- Where do you recognize patterns of wandering or spiritual forgetfulness? What helps you return quickly rather than drift?
- God’s faithfulness doesn’t excuse our unfaithfulness; it invites repentance. What does real repentance look like beyond words?
- How does the cross prove both God’s justice (sin matters) and His love (pursuit and restoration)?
- Who needs to hear about God’s pursuing love this week, and what’s a wise, concrete step you can take?
Pray Together
- Thank God for His faithful, pursuing love and the gift of the Spirit who keeps us in the truth.
- Commit to abide in Christ this week—resisting “instead-of-Christ” substitutes and practicing quick repentance.
- Ask God to guard our church from deception, to restore wanderers, and to make us bold and gentle witnesses of Jesus.
Activity
Return & Restore
Supplies:
Instructions:
- Bible
- paper
- pens/markers
- tape
- small box/jar to label "Return to the Lord"
Instructions:
- Read Hosea 6:1-3 aloud (“Come, let’s return to the Lord…”). Briefly discuss what “return” means.
- On paper, each person writes (privately) a simple “return” step for the week (e.g., confessing sin, restarting prayer, reconciling with someone, replacing a distraction with time in the Word).
- Fold the paper and place it in the “Return to the Lord” box/jar as an act of commitment.
- Pray over the box, asking the Spirit to empower real repentance and steady abiding.
- Optional follow-up: Mid-week, text or call one another to encourage faithfulness in the step you committed to.
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