Father’s Day - 1 John Series Pt. 5
Who is your #1 spiritual influence? Is it a real person in your life? Is it an author? An online influencer? We cannot escape the need for real spiritual Fathers (and mothers) who speak the truth over us and into our lives. We need to be reminded about who we are and why we are here. God’s Word (the Bible) is the message that contains the truth, the Spirit brings it to life, and the church (i.e. our spiritual fathers and mothers and sisters and brothers) are the ones who speak it into us by the Word and the Spirit.
Vincent Van Gogh - First Steps 1890
The Theme in Art:
Above is Vincent Van Gogh’s interpretation of Jean-Francois Millet’s “First Steps.” Van Gogh was inspired to copy this drawing by Millet because of the impending birth of his own nephew in the coming months. Van Gogh would die before getting to know his nephew, though. In fact, this is one of Van Gogh’s last paintings, completed only months before his death in mid-1890.
Anchor Texts:
Questions to Ponder:
Does it matter if your primary spiritual influences are “digital” or in person? What risks can you identify with online discipleship? What benefits?
Read Deuteronomy 6:7, especially in a few different translations. What do you notice about the variety of words used at the beginning of the statement? Why is this such an important part of a (spiritual) parent’s duty?
John lists three warnings in 2:16, the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and pride in possessions or “life”. How would you put each of these into your own words in our contemporary culture?
We talked about this a few weeks ago, but we need to constantly revisit this challenge - how do we love our enemies and neighbours, yet not love the “world” - hint, what are some different definitions of “world” and how is John using that word here?
Have you ever considered writing a letter to your child (or person you have been discipling) to commend to them the same truths about who they are that John lists in 1 John 2:12-14? I challenge you to find a way to express these truths to your own children.
The Theme in Song:
This song tells the story of our Heavenly Father’s surprising love. When we realize the depths of the problem of sin we are tempted to believe that God wouldn’t be willing to save us, yet we find the Father wating for us, prepared for our repentance and eager to put a ring on our finder and a robe on our backs and welcome us into his family.