Stories From An Encounter With God

Stories from an encounter with God.

Read 1 John 1:1-4

Read it again, in a different translation.

• What is one thing that stood out to you from this passage?

John begins this letter by describing why he proclaims the gospel. In part, it is because of what he has “seen and heard,” which is probably a reference to John being around Jesus when he was ministering in Israel.

But John also has had his heart changed by the ministry of Jesus. He believes that he has “fellowship” with God because of what Jesus has done. This also gives him confidence when he teaches other people about Jesus.

• Can you describe a time in your life when you first remember sensing God’s presence in a special way?
• What do you think you learned, or gained, from that experience?
• How would you describe that experience to someone who was not a believer?

John believes in having an ongoing fellowship/closeness with God.

• When do you feel close with God?

Sometimes we go through dry periods in our faith, where God feels distant, or the last time we sensed his presence seems like a long time ago. But the opposite is also possible – we can have times where God seems particularly near, and it is easy for us to point out where he is at work.

• Can you recall a time like this in your life?
• What did it do for your faith?
• What can you do in order to draw closer to God?
• What would you like to see God do in your life, or in the lives of those around you?