SCRIPTURE: 1 John 3 

KEY POINTS TO PONDER: 1) When we believe in Jesus, we are called children of God and will begin to truly know God (v. 1). 2) Living as a child of God will not make us perfect immediately, but will naturally cause us to practice righteousness. 3) Jesus came to destroy the devil’s work (v. 8). 4) The practice of righteousness should be evident in the way we love others (v. 14) 

CHALLENGING TERMS: Cain (v. 12) is from Genesis chapter 4, and was one of the sons of Adam and Eve, who killed his brother Abel out of jealousy. Verse 9 says that the one who is born of God cannot go on sinning. This doesn’t mean as Christians we don’t sin (1 John 1: 8), but rather a characteristic of being born of God is that we don’t “practice” sin habitually. When we do sin we turn from it. 

QUESTIONS: How should the idea of being a child of God affect how you live? How have you been laying down your life for others (v. 16)? 

PRAYER: Thank you Father that we can call you, Father. Thank you that even when we feel rejected by others that we are claimed by you as children. 

Consider praying that God would help you practice righteousness in an area where sin has been lurking.