1 John 4:1–6

1. Who are the some of the specific people shaping your understanding of and devotion to God? List the teachers, authors, pastors, podcasters, influencers, and friends you look to for help. But don’t just list your favorites. Try to identify the ones you have given the most attention to, because they are probably shaping you more than you realize?
2. Read 1 John 4:1–3. What might John mean by “spirits”? Is he referring only to spiritual beings, or also to human teachers and influences? Explain?
3. Practically, how do we "test the spirits" (1 John 4:1)? What are we testing for, and why is that necessary?
4. Why do you think confessing that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is such a central test of truth?
5. Read 1 John 4:4–6. What reason does John give for why some people listen to the voices of false teachers?
6. We live in an unusually gullible age. Read 1 John 4:6 again. What difference would it make to how you engage with false teaching and cultural confusion if you genuinely believed that the Spirit living in you is greater than every force working against the truth?
7. Spend some time praying together. Give God praise that He has given you the Holy Spirit as a Helper. Ask the Spirit to fill you and guide you in all truth, discernment, and wisdom.