Lesson Focus
- The final lesson calls believers to persevere for a lifetime rather than treating the series as an endpoint.
- Christian growth is measured by increasing love from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith.
- John's categories of children, young men, and fathers describe real stages of maturity in the life of faith.
- Believers should expect to grow stronger, overcome the evil one, abide in the word, and eventually help others mature.
- Peter's list of qualities shows that growth requires diligence and increasing virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
- The lesson ends with a forward-looking call to keep seeking first the kingdom, setting goals, and pressing on with joy.
Scriptures Mentioned
- 1 Timothy 1:5
- 1 John 2:12-14
- 2 Peter 1:3-8
- Matthew 6:33
- Philippians 3