Discernment could simply be defined as learning to judge well. What determines what is “right” or what is “wrong” in people’s lives? What is the “Spirit of truth and the spirit of error” the Apostle John writes about? The answer lies in how we view and what we believe about Jesus.

Verses: 1 John 4:1-6
4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Discipleship Conversation Questions:

For Adult Homes or Groups

1. Read 1 John 4:1-6
2. How many different voices can you identify that are attempting to speak “truth” into your life and the lives of the people you converse with every day?
3. What “spirits” is John referring to in 1 John 4:1? Are these kinds of spirits still in our world today?
4. Why is confessing that Jesus has come into the flesh (v. 2) key to testing the “spirits” in the world?
5. What is the “spirit of the antichrist?” What examples of the spirit of the antichrist do you observe everyday?
6. Martin Luther has written: “Christ is stronger; He has overcome, is overcoming, and will overcome that strong man in us. Still the devil does sometimes overcome us in the flesh, in order that even in this way we may experience the power of the Stronger against that strong man and say with Paul, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” What comfort do these words bring to all of God’s children?

For Families with Kids

1. Read 1 John 4:4-6 with your family.
2. Have everyone share about a time when someone lied to them. Did you know you were being lied to? How did you find out this was a lie?
3. Some people don’t believe in God. They may tell you that Jesus does not exist, or that He was just a person, and nothing more. Has anyone ever said this to you?
4. How might you respond to a person who tells you these things?
5. Bonus activity: Play a game with your kids, like “hide and seek”, or “go fish.” These are games that depend on honesty. For example, peeking during hide and seek would defeat the purpose of the game! Once you’re done playing, ask your kids why it is important to be truthful while playing that game. How would the game be different if you were dishonest?