Daily Prep

TUESDAY, June 23, 2009 In Luke 18:9-40, Jesus had a word for
those with misplaced confidence in their own righteousness. What was His
message to them?

Daily devotional preparation

for next week’s lesson
WEDNESDAY, June 24, 2009 If some confidence is wrong, then what
ExcitingBibleStudy.com Life Series confidence is right? Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 and Philippians 1:1-6. Then write
1 John 5:12-21 a summary statement about the kind of confidence Christians should have.
June 28, 2009
Prepared by David Williams
THURSDAY, June 25, 2009 Now let’s see what John says about
1601 Belltower Ct., Lewisville, TX 75067 972-221-4255
confidence. Read 1 John 5:12-15 and fill in the blanks.
davidwilliams@ExcitingBibleStudy.com
© 2009 David Williams. Thank you for using Daily Prep. When a church or individual purchases Daily Prep, a John was writing to those who in Jesus so they could
church license is granted. Daily Prep may be freely duplicated for use in the purchaser’s church and in any
for sure that they have .
small groups or classes sponsored by that church. Permission is granted to share a sample with someone
from another church once, but Daily Prep may not be provided to persons in another church on a regular He also assured them that, as believers, they could be confident in
basis.
prayer. If they asked for something that was within God's
HOW TO USE DAILY PREP: Print Daily Prep onto both sides of your paper, then cut the paper in half to , they could be sure that He them and would
make two-sided 8 ½ by 5 ½ inch devotional guides. Give one to each student the Sunday before the lesson to
use during daily quiet time. Take to prospects during the week. answer their prayer.

MONDAY, June 22, 2009 What does the word “confidence” FRIDAY, June 26, 2009 Read 1 John 5:16-17. John encouraged
mean? Write a definition in the space below. believers to pray for other believers when they are aware of sin in their lives.
Some sins, however, lead to death and John did not recommend prayer in those
cases. What do you think John meant by that?

When we think of confidence, we usually think of belief in our own abilities,

like “the little engine that could,” which made it to the top of the mountain by
repeating, “I think I can, I think I can.” SATURDAY, June 27, 2009 Read 1 John 5:18-21. John began this
While it is important to have a good self-image and believe that we have the epistle by saying we are only lying to ourselves if we say we are without sin.
ability to accomplish and achieve, when it comes to salvation and eternal life, the Now, at the end of his letter, he says that anyone born of God does not continue
confidence we have must not be in ourselves, but in Christ. Christian confidence to sin. Although there appears to be a contradiction, John was simply recogniz-
is the assurance and certainty that Christ will keep His promises to us. ing two facts: (1) Christians are not perfect and will not be able to live a sinless
The psalmist had that kind of confidence. Read Psalm 27:1-14 and list some life; (2) true believers will not continue a habitual life-style of sin.
things about the Lord of which the psalmist was confident:
SUNDAY, June 28, 2009 How is your spiritual confidence level?
! If you feel that you are partially responsible for your own salvation, you will
have doubts with each sinful action or attitude; however, if you fully realize Jesus
! has earned your salvation for you, then you can have complete assurance that
nothing you do can nullify His work. Read and mediate upon the following
! passages—Psalms 119:89-90; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 John 5:13-14.
 A John said he wrote his letter so that

Teacher’s Toolbox
! Here is the assignment for the
other person in your pair. Pre- we who believe in the name of the Son
tend your partner has just asked of God might know that we have eternal
life.
you, "How can you be so sure
that you will go to heaven when B And that's the key—believing in Je-
Getting your class into God's Word
you die?" You have 60 seconds. sus. If we truly are trusting Jesus com- and God's Word into your class
Begin. pletely for our salvation, then we are
! After 60 seconds, call time. no longer trusting ourselves for our ExcitingBibleStudy.com Life Series
salvation. 1 John 5:12-21
Personal testimonies A That's right. Jesus died on the cross June 28, 2009
! Consider concluding the lesson to pay for our sins. And He arose from Prepared by David Williams
with two or three personal testimo- the dead to give eternal life to all who 1601 Belltower Ct., Lewisville, TX 75067 972-221-4255
nies from Christians in the class. place their faith in Him. Either it's true davidwilliams@ExcitingBibleStudy.com
You can either enlist them in ad- or it's not. It can't be 90 percent true.
© 2009 David Williams. Thank you for using Teacher’s Toolbox. When a church or individual purchases
vance, or call on some whom you B I guess that's where I was going Teacher’s Toolbox, a church license is granted. Teacher’s Toolbox may be freely duplicated for use in the
know are comfortable sharing their wrong. I knew it in my head that Jesus purchaser’s church and in any small groups or classes sponsored by that church. Permission is granted to
faith in public. Tell them to focus had paid it all, but I guess I thought I share a sample with someone from another church once, but Teacher’s Toolbox may not be provided to
persons in another church on a regular basis.
on the confidence they have in still had to do something in order to be
Christ to give them eternal life. good enough to get into heaven. HOW TO USE TEACHER’S TOOLBOX: Make a four-page folded teacher’s leaflet from the first two sheets
A Thinking like that will always result in by printing two-sided (or by putting the blank sides together). The other two sheets are for duplicating,
displaying, distributing, or otherwise using as called for in the lesson plan.
Two-part dialogue (part two) doubts, because we continually mess
! Call for the second part of the up. As long as we feel that we are Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984
dialogue: somehow partially responsible for International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
whether or not we get into heaven, we
Two-Part Dialogue (Part Two) will never know for sure. Getting Started
A What did you think of the Bible B But once we realize that Jesus Defining a word
study? bought our admission ticket and paid ! Write the word CONFIDENCE on the chalkboard.
B I really enjoyed it. And I think I un- for it, then we can be confident of our ! Ask members to huddle in groups of two to four and come up with a
derstand now why you are so sure of salvation and eternal life. brief definition of the word "confidence." The definition should have at
eternal life. least five words, but no more than ten. (Here are two examples, but let the
groups do their own work: "being sure of one's own ability” or "having no
Wrapping It Up doubt about a certain possibility.")
! Paul joined John in his confidence in Christ, writing in Romans ! After about a minute, let each group share its definition with the class.
8:38-39, “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels ! Then, write the word CHRISTIAN above the word CONFIDENCE.
nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, Ask groups to come up with a 5-10 word definition of Christian confi-
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able dence. (For example: "Being sure that Jesus has guaranteed us eternal
to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” life," or "knowing for sure that you are saved.")
! Call on someone to lead the class in prayer. ! After a minute or so, let each group share its definition.
! Today we will learn that persons who trust in Jesus as the Christ,
the Son of God, can have confidence in their relationship to God.
1 John 5:12-21 June 28, 2009 Life Series Page 4
 Exploring God's Word
Two-part dialogue (part one)
! In advance, enlist two persons to
prepare the following dialogue and
present it from memory. Give
each a copy of Item 1. Have them
present Part One of the dialogue at
this point, saving the second part
until later during the session.
Two-Part Dialogue (Part One)
A is in a great mood. B seems down.
A How are you doing today?
B Oh, I'm fine. How are you?
A I'm doing great! Life is wonderful,
and when you die you get to spend
eternity with Jesus! (Laughs)
B The way I heard it was different.
A I know: "Life stinks, and then you
die." Right?
B Something like that.
A That's not the way I look at it. Be-
cause I know Jesus, He gives me a very
fulfilling life. And I have the assurance
of heaven when I die.
B Well, I'm a Christian too, but I don't
have the same confidence you have.
A What do you mean?
B I know I'm a Christian, and I hope to
go to heaven when I die, in fact I'm
pretty sure I will. But I wouldn't say I'm
100 percent positive.
A Why not?
B How could I be? I mean, you've got
to be realistic about these things.
A I realistically and positively know that
I have eternal life and will go to heaven
when I die. You can be sure, too.
1 John 5:12-21 June 28, 2009
B How?
A We're getting ready to have a Bible
study on Christian confidence. Why
don't you join us and we'll talk some
more after the study. Okay?
B Okay. I'd like that.
Choral reading
! Give each person a copy of the
following choral reading (duplicate
Item 2).
Assign the parts of Reader 1,
Reader 2, and Reader 3. Designate
half the class as Group 1 and the
other half as Group 2. Point out
the lines to be read by All. Call on
Reader 1 to begin.
READER 1 I write these things to you
who believe in the name of the Son of
God so that you may know that you
have eternal life.
READER 2 This is the confidence
GROUP 1 Confidence
GROUP 2 Confidence
READER 2 The confidence we have in
approaching God: that if we ask any-
thing according to his will, he hears us.
And if we know that he hears
us—whatever we ask—we know that
we have what we asked of him.
READER 3 If anyone sees his brother
commit a sin that does not lead to
death, he should pray and God will give
him life. I refer to those whose sin
does not lead to death. There is a sin
that leads to death. I am not saying
that he should pray about that. All
wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that
Life Series Page 2
does not lead to death.
GROUP 1 We know that anyone born
of God does not continue to sin;
GROUP 2 The one who was born of
God keeps him safe, and the evil one
cannot harm him.
GROUP 1 We know that we are chil-
dren of God,
GROUP 2 And that the whole world is
under the control of the evil one.
GROUP 1 We know also that the Son
of God has come and has given us un-
derstanding,
GROUP 2 So that we may know him
who is true.
ALL And we are in him who is true—
READER 1 Even in his Son Jesus
Christ.
READER 2 He is the true God,
READER 3 And eternal life.
ALL Dear children, keep yourselves
from idols.
Questions and answers
! Have someone read aloud 1 John
5:12-15.
! To whom was John writing?
(to those who believe in the name
of the Son of God)
! For what purpose was he writ-
ing to them? (that they may know
that they have eternal life)
! What did he tell them about
confidence in prayer? (that, as
believers, they could be confident
that when they asked for some-
thing within God’s will that He
would hear them and answer their
prayer)
1 John 5:12-21 June 28, 2009
! Have someone read aloud 1 John
5:16-17.
! John encouraged believers to
pray for other believers when
they are aware of sin in their
lives. Some sins, however, lead
to death and John did not recom-
mend prayer in those cases.
What do you think John meant
by that? Wait for responses.
! Have someone read aloud 1 John
5:18-21.
! John began this epistle by say-
ing we are only lying to ourselves
if we say we are without sin.
Now, at the end of his letter, he
says that anyone born of God
does not continue to sin. How do
you reconcile those two seem-
ingly contradictory positions?
(John was simply recognizing two
facts: [1] Christians are not perfect
and will not be able to live a sin-
less life; [2] true believers will not
continue a habitual lifestyle of sin.)
Making It Personal
Pairing off
! Ask members to pair off and
decide which one of their pair will
take the first assignment.
! Here is the first assignment.
Pretend your partner has just
asked you, "How can you be so
sure that Jesus is for real?" You
have 60 seconds to explain your
confidence. Begin.
! After 60 seconds, call time.
Life Series Page 3
Two Part Dialogue (Part One) Two Part Dialogue (Part One)
A is in a great mood. B seems down.
A How are you doing today?
A What did you think of the Bible study?
B Oh, I'm fine. How are you?
B I really enjoyed it. And I think I understand now why you are so
A I'm doing great! Life is wonderful, and when you die you get to sure of eternal life.
spend eternity with Jesus! (Laughs)
A John said he wrote his letter so that we who believe in the name
B The way I heard it was different. of the Son of God might know that we have eternal life.
A I know: "Life stinks, and then you die." Right? B And that's the key—believing in Jesus. If we truly are trusting
B Something like that. Jesus completely for our salvation, then we are no longer trust-
A That's not the way I look at it. Because I know Jesus, He gives ing ourselves for our salvation.
me a very fulfilling life. And I have the assurance of heaven A That's right. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. And
when I die. He arose from the dead to give eternal life to all who place their
B Well, I'm a Christian too, but I don't have the same confidence faith in Him. Either it's true or it's not. It can't be 90 percent
you have. true.
A What do you mean? B I guess that's where I was going wrong. I knew it in my head
B I know I'm a Christian, and I hope to go to heaven when I die, in that Jesus had paid it all, but I guess I thought I still had to do
fact I'm pretty sure I will. But I wouldn't say I'm 100 percent something in order to be good enough to get into heaven.
positive. A Thinking like that will always result in doubts, because we con-
A Why not? tinually mess up. As long as we feel that we are somehow
partially responsible for whether or not we get into heaven, we
B How could I be? I mean, you've got to be realistic about these
will never know for sure.
things.
B But once we realize that Jesus bought our admission ticket and
A I realistically and positively know that I have eternal life and will
paid for it, then we can be confident of our salvation and eternal
go to heaven when I die. You can be sure, too.
life.
B How?
A We're getting ready to have a Bible study on Christian confi-
dence. Why don't you join us and we'll talk some more after the
study. Okay?
B Okay. I'd like that.

1 John 5:12-21 June 28, 2009 Life Series Item 1 1 John 5:12-21 June 28, 2009 Life Series Item 1
Choral Reading Choral Reading
READER 1 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the READER 1 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the
Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal
life. life.
READER 2 This is the confidence READER 2 This is the confidence
GROUP 1 Confidence GROUP 1 Confidence
GROUP 2 Confidence GROUP 2 Confidence
READER 2 The confidence we have in approaching God: that if we READER 2 The confidence we have in approaching God: that if we
ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we
know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that
we have what we asked of him. we have what we asked of him.
READER 3 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead READER 3 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead
to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I
refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a
sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray
about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that
does not lead to death. does not lead to death.
GROUP 1 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to GROUP 1 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to
sin; sin;
GROUP 2 The one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil GROUP 2 The one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil
one cannot harm him. one cannot harm him.
GROUP 1 We know that we are children of God, GROUP 1 We know that we are children of God,
GROUP 2 And that the whole world is under the control of the evil GROUP 2 And that the whole world is under the control of the evil
one. one.
GROUP 1 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given GROUP 1 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given
us understanding, us understanding,
GROUP 2 So that we may know him who is true. GROUP 2 So that we may know him who is true.
ALL And we are in him who is true— ALL And we are in him who is true—
READER 1 Even in his Son Jesus Christ. READER 1 Even in his Son Jesus Christ.
READER 2 He is the true God, READER 2 He is the true God,
READER 3 And eternal life. READER 3 And eternal life.
ALL Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. ALL Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

1 John 5:12-21 June 28, 2009 Life Series Item 2 1 John 5:12-21 June 28, 2009 Life Series Item 2