Prepared by:

Bromley Road Baptist Church1900 Lauder Drive, Ottawa, ON K2A 1B1www.bromleyroadbaptist.org

September, 2015

simple:A Small Groups Study on 1 John

table of contents

introduction 1about 1 John 2how to use this book 8a walk through 1 John 12

Session 1 14

Session 2 20

Session 3 28

Session 4 36

Session 5 44

Session 6 52

1

Have you ever wondered if God really loves you? Maybe you have gone to church for your whole life and you have heard it said over and over again, God loves you, but haven’t really felt that love. Or maybe God and church are fairly new to your life and the idea of a supreme being, the creator of the universe, loving you sounds so abstract that it feels impossible. Have you ever stopped and questioned why God might love you in the first place?

Have you ever questioned about who Jesus was and is? Have you ever wondered if some of the things we believe in church are more about traditions and stories than

Or have you ever struggled with Sin? Have you wondered why you do things you know you shouldn’t but sometimes feel like you can’t stop? Have you ever wanted to know God’s forgiveness and love in a real way?

Do you want to know what God’s love should look like? And what it means for you to know and accept that love? Do you ever wonder what part you might have to play in what God is doing in this world?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you might find the answers in 1 John. Together we are going to explore this ancient, God-inspired text and be challenged to see how following Jesus should make our lives different. This study is designed to help lead you into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, no matter where you are in your faith journey.

introduction

2

introduct

ion

1 John is a book about choices. It’s author, John and most likely the John who wrote the Gospel of John, uses very simple language to contrast a life with God and a life without Him. Over and over again John contrasts images of light and darkness, truth and lies, life and death, love and death. All to paint a picture of what a life of following Jesus should look like.

During the time that John wrote 1 John, the church he was leading was in chaos and conflict. While we can only guess as to what had happened in the church John writes to, we do know that a church that was once a unified place is now divided.

John writes this letter in a somewhat different style than Paul wrote his letters to the churches. A good reason for that is that John was not as educated as Paul was. His vocabulary in Greek is much simpler than that of Paul, and he does not use rhetoric in the same way. Another reason is that it seems like John had more of a personal connection than Paul did to the churches he wrote to. It appears that John stayed with these churches for a long time, whereas Paul left often to plant new ones shortly after establishing a church. But his intentions are the same as Paul, John wants to persuade those who hear this letter to stop following deceptive beliefs and live a life that reflects Christ.

The Heart of Conflict in 1 JohnAs previously mentioned, we do not have all the details about the conflict John was addressing in his letters. But what is clear is that there was an outside threat that challenged the churches of Asia Minor that John led, and it had now found its

about 1 John

3

way inside and taken root.

This threat was false teachings about Jesus. In the late first century there were differing ideas about who Jesus was. There were many groups of people who were trying to make sense of the story of the Messiah, so they added or subtracted parts of the story to make it easier to understand. At the time of John’s writing this letter he was trying to address a belief that had started to infiltrate the churches teaching that Jesus was not the Son of God in the flesh who walked among them.

This group causing the conflict were people who knew the story of Jesus well, but thought that John was teaching it wrong. This group claimed to be inspired by God to know the real truth, which was that Jesus was not God, but just a human being like them. John has strong words to describe these false teachers, he calls them “Antichrists” (2:18).

While John’s concern is that this early church knows what is true about Jesus, he has another concern he addresses in this letter as well. His concern is that if people don’t believe what is true about Jesus, they will not live a life of love like Jesus. John was convinced that what we believe should shape how we act and live. If we did not believe that the God of love would come to be with us and sacrifice for us, then we might not live lives that reflect that love.

Today this is particularly meaningful for the church. We too must believe what is true about God, and also we need to live lives that reflect this true belief. To only have knowledge of the truth, but not live it out, is not the point. John’s concern for this first century audience was that they be growing disciples

4

introduct

ion

of Christ, not merely church attenders who believed the right things.

False Teaching about Christ

Docetism Jesus Christ only “seemed” to be human; His bodily human form was an illusion with no true reality (the verb “to seem” in Greek is dokeo); this is first-second century AD.

Adoptionism Jesus was adopted as God’s son at some point in his earthly life, either at his baptism, resurrection or ascension; prior to this point, Jesus was simply an exemplary human.

Gnosticism The material world is evil and the spiritual world is good; knowledge or “gnosis” is the way to “salvation” and can be gained in various charitable ways; a fully developed system of Gnosticism does not seem to appear until the second century AD.

Apollinarism The Son did not have a human mind, soul or spirit; He is completely Divine; He had a human body and lower soul but a Divine mind; this is now into the fourth century AD.

Nestorianism Jesus was fully Divine and also fully human, but in such a way that He was two

5

AuthorWho wrote the letters of 1st , 2nd and 3rd John is not actually stated in any of the letters. But there is excellent internal (within the text of the Bible) and external (extra-Biblical sources) evidence to see the author as John the Apostle, the beloved disciple and writer of the Fourth Gospel.

During the period of time known as the age of the Church Fathers, the popular notion seemed to be that John authored this letter. Many key figures in the history of the church at that time held to this tradition, including Irenaeus (d. AD 202), Clement of Alexandria (d. ca. AD 215), Tertullian (d. after AD 220) and Dionysius of Alexandria (d. ca. AD 265).

Irenaeus, for example, was a follower/hearer of Polycarp, who was a disciple of the Apostle John. That means that Irenaeus was only two generations from John, so it would be fairly recent information.

The internal evidence that John is the author is also very strong. The primary example is the amount and density of similar vocabulary, phrasing, syntax and themes between First John and the Fourth Gospel. Beginning with the first verse, “What was from the beginning… concerning the Word of Life,” the language is deeply reminiscent of the Fourth Gospel, “In the beginning was the Word.” A Bible with good cross-references such as the NASB or NIV Study Bible will highlight many of these correlations.

6

introduct

ion

Date, Location & Circumstances Around WritingMost scholars place this letter written in the area of Asia Minor, possibly Ephesus, sometime between 70 and 90 AD.

Many scholars believe that John wrote this letter as a response to false beliefs that were being developed based on his Gospel account. John is not concerned about an external threat to the church, but an internal one. There is also a possibility that the liars and deceivers that John speaks of were followers of John the Baptist who denied the messiahship of Jesus and have now become part of the Johannine church community. Acts 19:1-7 speaks of a group of John the Baptists followers in Ephesus who were described as followers, but did not have an understanding of what it meant to believe in Jesus.

Main Themes of Book & LanguageAs mentioned before John has a very simple approach to writing his letter. He uses common/pedestrian language for his day. It would seem that John was more concerned about making sure people understood what was written than being impressed with his writing style. 1 John contains a great deal of repetitive language and themes that John wants to make sure his audience understands.

Gordon Fee, in his book How to Read The Bible Book By Book, sums up 1 John using only the repetitive sentences/ideas very well:

To remain/continue/abide (24x) in the truth (9x) means to believe in (9x) or confess (5x)the Son (22x), to whom the Father (14x)

7

and Spirit (8x) ear witness (12x); it means further to be born of God (10x), so as to walk (5x) in the light (6x), to hear (14x) and to know (10x) God, to keep (7x) the commandment (14x) to love (46x)the brothers and sisters(15x),and thus to have life (13x), which is from the beginning (8x), and finally to overcome (6x) the world. All of this is in contrast to the lie (7x), deceit (4x), denying Christ (3x), having a false spirit (4x), thus being antichrist (4x), walking in darkness (6x), hating (5x) one’s brothers and sisters but loving the world (23x), thus being in sin (27x), which leads to death(6x).

John has three main themes that he focuses on in his letter: the incarnation, our relationship with sin and loving others. John develops a pattern in his letter to address each of these topics and see how they are related.

Like us, John’s first century audience needed to begin with believing the truth about Jesus. Knowing that He is the messiah, the Son of God, in the flesh. And out of that belief they needed to live lives that reflected that knowledge externally, through our love for others, and internally, through our challenge to live lives away from sin.

Our spiritual confidence, hope, power to overcome, forgiveness of sin, and direction for life all begin and end with the love of God. John calls us back to the basics of faith. God’s love for us, our love for God, and our love for one another. For John, life with God should be simple and focused on these three themes.

8

introduct

ion

how to use this book

There are six studies in this booklet to cover over the six week period of time we will be reflecting on the letter of 1 John together. Each small group study is divided into three sections: Make a connection, dig deep and put it into practice.

Make a connection: At the beginning of the session there will be a question or an activity to help you to connect with each other and the text we are looking at.

Dig deep: This is the bible study portion of our time together. This is a series of questions and reflections to get us talking about the text and what it means in our lives.

Put it into practice: This is your homework for the week. In this section there will be suggestions on how to put the text we reflected on into practice. As well there might be suggestions for what you will do the next time you get together as a small group.

Every session we are going to end with this simple question:

What is the next right thing I know God wants me to do because of this?

It would be best to spend time the morning after your small group in prayer and reflection journaling about what you think the next right thing you are to do is.

9

Suggestions for Study(Based on Guidelines from N.T. Wright’s For Everyone study series)

1. As you begin each study, pray that God will speak to you through his Word.

2. Read and reread the Bible passage to be studied. Each study is designed to help you consider the meaning of the passage in its context.

3. Write your answers to the questions in the spaces provided or in a personal journal. Each study includes three types of questions: observation questions, which ask about the basic facts in the passage; interpretation questions, which delve into the meaning of the passage; and application questions, which help you discover the implications of the text for growing in Christ. Writing out your responses can bring clarity and deeper understanding of yourself and of God’s Word.

4. Use the suggestions in the “Pray” section to focus on God, thanking him for what you have learned and praying about the applications that have come to mind.

10

introduct

ion

Suggestions for Group Members1. Come to the study prepared. Follow the suggestions

mentioned above. You will find that careful preparation will greatly enrich your time spent in group discussion.

2. Be willing to participate in the discussion. The leader of your group will not be lecturing. Instead, she or he will be asking the questions found in this guide and encouraging the members of the group to discuss what they have learned.

3. Stick to the topic being discussed. These studies focus on a particular passage of Scripture. Only rarely should you refer to other portions of the Bible or outside sources. This allows for everyone to participate on equal ground and for in-depth study.

4. Be sensitive to the other members of the group. Listen attentively when they describe what they have learned. You may be surprised by their insights! Each question assumes a variety of answers. Many questions do not have “right” answers, particularly questions that aim at meaning or application. Instead the questions push us to explore the passage more thoroughly. When possible, link what you say to the comments of others. Also, be affirming whenever you can. This will encourage some of the more hesitant members of the group to participate.

5. Be careful not to dominate the discussion. We are sometimes so eager to express our thoughts that we leave too little opportunity for others to respond. By all means participate! But allow others to also.

11

6. Expect God to teach you through the passage being discussed and through the other members of the group. Pray that you will have an enjoyable and profitable time together, but also that as a result of the study you will find ways that you can take action individually and/ or as a group.

7. It will be helpful for groups to follow a few basic guidelines. These guidelines, which you may wish to adapt to your situation, should be read at the beginning of the first session.

• Anything said in the group is considered confidential and will not be discussed outside the group unless specific permission is given to do so.

• We will provide time for each person present to talk if he or she feels comfortable doing so.

• We will talk about ourselves and our own situations, avoiding conversation about other people.

• We will listen attentively to each other.

• We will be very cautious about giving advice.

12

introduct

ion

1:1-4 Prelude: The purpose of the letter, the first theme of Jesus as the Son of God in the flesh

1:5-2:2 Second theme: on sin and forgiveness

2:3-11 Third theme: on Love and hatred

2:12-14 Interlude: Some reasons for writing

2:15-17 Prelude to the warning: Do not love the world

2:18-27 The warning: on denying the son (first theme repeated)

2:28-3:10 Second theme repeated: on sin and being the children of God

3:11- 24 Third theme repeated: on love and hatred

4:1-6 First theme repeated: On denying the incarnation

4:7-21 Third theme wrapped up and connected to the first

5:1-12 First theme wrapped up, now tied to the second and third themes

5:13-21 The finale: the second theme tied to the first

A prayer to start our study:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the grace of these moments. That together we get the opportunity to know you more through the study of your word. We pray that as we learn and grow as a group our hearts are open to hear from you. We pray that the Holy Spirit guides our conversations and reflection. Help us not to just hear your words, but do what they say. We ask this in Jesus name, amen.

a walk through 1 John

Session 11 John 1:1-2:2

15

Make a Connection

Think of an unusual experience

you have had - an amazing place

you visited, an incredible meal

you ate, a remarkable person

you met. How would you go about

explaining it to people who have

not had the same experience?

The creator of the universe decided that He wanted to walk the earth and die for you. You might be familiar with that reality, maybe you having been going to church for years and have heard it over and over again. But have you ever really thought about it? Have you ever thought about how strange that might sound to someone who has never heard it before? How difficult it might be to accept?

Even just years after the events of Jesus death and resurrection people struggled to make sense of this truth. For many it did not make sense that the creator of the universe would step on the soil of this earth. So they tried to make things make sense to them. They changed the truth to what was more comfortable to themselves. Not so different from ourselves today really.

16

Sess

ion 1 -

1 J

ohn 1:1 -

2:2

Dig Deep 1. Read 1 John 1:1-4. How are the opening verses of this

letter similar of Genesis 1?’

2. Why do you think John is trying to show us with the similarity?

3. What is John’s reason for writing? (V2-4)

4. Have you heard the word fellowship before in church? What do you think someone would understand the word to mean if their only experience of fellowship was at your church? What does Fellowship mean for John in verse 3?

5. Read 1 John 1:5-2:2 together. What do you think John`s point for us is in this section?

17

6. What is John trying to warn us about?

7. What are some ways we deceive ourselves about sin? What is the remedy for this deception (V9)?

8. What do you think it means to walk in the light? How can we consistently walk in the light?

9. How is having Jesus Christ pleading your cause before God radically different from pleading your own cause (2:1-2)?

10. In this section John demonstrates the reality of our situation and of sin, and shares some great news with his readers. Can you see how this section applies to your own life?

18

Sess

ion 1 -

1 J

ohn 1:1 -

2:2

PrayerReread 1:8-9, and ask God to show you which description fits you in his eyes.

Offer prayers of confession of sin as you are comfortable, and prayers of gratitude to the One who pleads your cause before God. Spend time praying for one another as we seek Gods guidance for how we should live because of the scripture we have read together.

Put it Into PracticeAsk yourself: What is the next right thing I know God wants me to do because of this?

For John the remedy to our deception is confession. Make a point of confessing to someone you trust about some of your own struggles with sin. Make sure this is someone you can trust, and someone who can handle what you will share with them. Spend some time praying together that you can both choose to walk in the light.

Session 21 John 2:13-14

21

As we sat and drank coffee he told me the story again. It was the second time he shared it in the hour we have been together, but I had heard it at least a dozen times already. It always stated the same way, “We were driving on the 417 and I decided to take a short cut, only it didn’t turn into a short cut…” it always started the same way, but every time he told me it seemed like it was the most important story he could tell me.

Sometimes when we hear something over and over again we can tune out the story. Many of us have either had a friend, or been the one, who tells the same story over and over again. Its easy to think we know all there is to know when we have heard something more than once and can tune it out.

John is like that friend who likes to tell you the same thing more than once. But he does it in different ways, but for one key purpose, he really wants us to know what he is talking about. So the question is, what is the particular point that John is trying to make?

Make a Connection

Are there any stories or sayings

that you repeat often? Why do

you repeat them?

22

Sess

ion 2

- 1 J

ohn 2

:3-14

Dig Deep1. Read 1 John 2:3-11. When we talk about obeying or

disobeying God’s commandments we often talk about how we act-what we do or refrain from doing. How does John explain obedience as a matter of the heart (vv. 3-6)?

2. Why does obedience to God give us assurance that we know him?

3. John says that the new command is actually an old one, but never says what the old command is. From what we see in the text what is the old command that John wants us to remember?

4. Are there any differences from what John says is the old command, and what he says is the new command?

23

5. In verses 3-6 John writes that if we say we know God but don’t keep his commands, we’re liars. This seems like a strong statement. Are there ever times when you have not kept Gods commands? If so do you think liar is too harsh of a term for you? Why do you think John calls us liars?

6. John writes serious warnings about hating a family member in Christ (vv. 9-11). How are conflicts destructive for those on both sides of a dispute as well as for the church as a whole?

For John, as for Paul, and above all, as for Jesus, the commandments are all summed up in one word: Love. The Life of God’s New Age is revealed as the Love of God’s New Age. All other commandments-the detail of what to do and not to do-are the outflowing of this love, the love which has been newly revealed in Jesus, the love which God now intends should be revealed in and through all those who follow Jesus. ( N. T. Wright. The Letters of John)

24

Sess

ion 2

- 1 J

ohn 2

:3-14

7. Given John’s warning about hating a fellow believer, how should we respond when we find ourselves in disagreement within our churches or with other believers? Think about your own church experience, do you think conflict has been handled well?

8. Read 1 John 2:12-14. John is addressing different groups. What do you think his point is, and what does it mean for you? (Hint: the terms children, fathers and young men are probably not exclusive or literal terms. He is probably using those terms as illustration for different groups)

9. Following John’s strong warning in verses 3-9, how are these words now an encouragement?

10. Sometimes when we sing hymns, the hymns tell a story. There is something satisfying about this. We feel we have been on a journey and have arrived somewhere. But in some traditions the songs we sing in church are deliberately repetitive. We use them as a way of meditation, of stopping on one point and mulling it over, of allowing something which is very deep and important to make an impact on us. Repetition can touch deep down inside us, parts that other kinds of hymns cannot reach, or do not very often.

25

In verses 12-14, John breaks into a sing song, repetitive formula. Perhaps we shouldn’t try to analyze it in strict terms but rather appreciate it as a meditation, a long, lingering gaze at his audience and what they need, at the way God works in people’s lives. Perhaps it’s only as we give ourselves to the strange, haunting repetition that the meaning will begin to sink down into us. As you let the repetition of these verses sink in, what effect does it have on you?

11. Of the three categories of people John mentions, children, fathers, young men, which one stands out most to you? Which do you relate to and why?

26

Sess

ion 2

- 1 J

ohn 2

:3-14

PrayerPray that Gods light will shine into every corner of your life. That you will not be blinded by darkness and seek God with all your heart. Pray that you as individuals, and together, will live lives that reflect this old new command to love people as God loves them.

Put It Into PracticeAsk yourself: What is the next right thing I know God wants me to do because of this?

As a group discuss ideas on how you can love others the way that God loves them. Make a plan to serve together in some way to make that love real and tangible. Some suggestions are to help out at the Ottawa Mission for a meal, help at the Matthew House Furniture Bank, prepare a meal for someone in the church who feels lonely and bring the small group to them and share a meal, go out together and prepare food for some of the people living on the streets in Ottawa. Or anything else that demonstrates that you walk in the light and follow the new old command to love others like God loves them.

Session 3 1 John 2:15-29

29

It snowballs, it always does. It might seem like something small when we say it at first but it rarely stays something small. if you have been around children you can see it. What starts with one child saying they have a pet dog, and another child feeling like this might be a competition. It seemed like nothing to one up someone with a bigger dog, but as the conversation grew the lie joined in. And before you know it, someone ends up with a pet elephant living in their mansion they don’t have.

Lies can grow. But they also cause pain. Many of us probably have been lied to once and it hurt us. Or maybe we have told a lie, maybe even in hopes of not hurting someone, but it did it’s damage.

John is concerned about lies that have been told in this section of 1 John. He is concerned that some people who knew the truth started to believe lies about God that others were telling. John warns that those who believe the lie are a corrupting and dangerous force, and he does not want to see others led astray.

Make a Connection

Have you ever been caught in a lie? Or what

damage have you seen a lie cause?

Alternatively, talk about your experience of

practically demonstrating love to someone

else. How did it go? How did you feel when

you did it? Why do you think it demonstrated

love to someone else?

30

Sess

ion 3

- 1 J

ohn 2

:15 -

29

Dig Deep1. Read 1 John 2:15-29 together. John warns his audience,

us, not to love the world or anything in it? What do you think of when you hear a statement like that? What does it mean to you?

When John, and the rest of scripture, speaks of the world it does not speak of the world as the physical planet we live in. Rather when scripture speaks of the world it is about those things that draw us away from God, that which causes rebellion against God. “The world” is more about where our worship is placed than about the planet we call home. When scripture speaks of not loving the world it is warning us about placing our worship in created things, or experiences, creating idols that replace God. It is not telling us to hate the goodness that God gifted us with in creation to be stewards of, but it is warning us about believing a lie and worshipping that which God created.

2. What might be some present day examples of the values of “the world” which John warns us against? Do you have any suggestions on how not to love these values of the world and choose to love God instead?

31

3. What might be some practical ways we can be grateful for everything God has created for us but not love “the world”?

4. John sends a strong warning about the antichrists being present (v18-19). When you hear that word antichrist what image comes to mind? How does John describe the antichrist(s) (v22)?

5. How does John encourage his readers to protect themselves from the antichrists? What does it look like, practically speaking, for us to abide in the ways John suggests to protect ourselves?

6. John is sending warnings about following “new” versions of Christianity, that are attractive but not true. Do you think this is a problem we still face today? Do you have any examples? Why do you think some “new” versions of Christianity are appealing to people?

32

Sess

ion 3

- 1 J

ohn 2

:15 -

29

7. John tells us that Christians have an anointing from God. The word for anointing is related to the word messiah, with messiah meaning anointed one. John uses this word for a reason. What do you think John is trying to help us understand when he says we have an anointing from God?

8. You have probably had many different people teach you about scripture in your life: your parents, Sunday school teacher, pastors, bible study leaders, authors and others. We probably all have come to appreciate those people who have taught us and learned a great deal from them. John is trying to teach his audience about what they should know and believe. But then in verse 27 he tells his audience that “…you do not need anyone to teach you.” What do you think he means by this?

9. John concludes this section with reminding us that Christ will appear again (v28). Do you ever think much about the truth that Jesus will come again? What are your feelings about Christ’s return? (Excitement, fear, joy, uncertainty, confidence, something else?)

33

10. In verse 29 John says “If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right have been born of him.” What does this statement mean to you?

34

Sess

ion 3

- 1 J

ohn 2

:15 -

29

PrayerSpends sometime praying for one another in the group. Ask each other how you can pray for each other and take turns praying. When you share prayer requests try to share truthfully about your journey with God and how you might need help to continue to follow Him in your life.

Put it Into PracticeAsk yourself: What is the next right thing I know God wants me to do because of this?

At some point this week find an hour where you can be alone and still before God. Bring with you a note book or paper (no electronic devices as they can become distracting), the bible you use most frequently and something to write with. Sped some time praying and asking God to help you think of all the the things you believe about God, your faith and how we interact with the world. Write those beliefs down. And then spend some time searching through scripture for bible verses that support your belief. For those beliefs you might have that you struggle to find biblical support for it might be good to have a conversation with someone you trust who knows a good deal about scripture to either help you support that belief, or come to know that it is not a biblical belief. After doing this spend some time in prayer asking God to help you to stay faithful to the truth about Him. Consider sharing with your group about this exercise next week.

Session 4 1 John 3

37

Sometimes its easy to take for granted what we have. Most of us spend every day of our life enjoying what we have been given, and maybe not really noticing how fortunate we are. Every day we can look around us and see the world, the beauty of the flowers, the faces of our loved ones. But sometimes seeing these people, this world, ever day makes us miss out on what we are really looking at. In the book the Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote “And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Sometimes we need more than our eyes to see.

In 1 John, John tells us that because of our love for Jesus right now, our greatest hope, our deepest desire, should be to come to see Jesus face to face. To see his smile, to catch his facial expressions, and to begin to know him in a whole new way. To not just see him, but to also become more and more like him. And what we hope to see, what we long for in our hearts, should change how we look today.

Make a Connection

Is there anyone you would really like

to see again? Maybe someone you don’t

even know but would love to see them

and meet them?

Alternatively, spend some time talking

about the experience of examining our

beliefs that we did last week.

38

Sess

ion 4

- 1 J

ohn 3

Dig Deep1. Read 1 John 3:1-10. What are some of the ways John

describes God’s children?

2. John tells us that when Christ appears, we will be like him. In what ways do you think we will be like Jesus?

3. John emphasizes a future hope in this section. Why do you think it is important to be reminded of the hope of the future?

Thinking about the future can be difficult. Mostly because we really don’t know what it will be like. The hope that scripture points to is that of a whole new world that God has for us. The best glimpse of that new world is actually the world around us. Because we know and can see that this is God’s good creation, we can know that it will be like this, but only more so: free from decay and death, injustice and illness, sorrow and shame. Sin has no place in this world we hope for. But if that is what the world we will call home will be like, what will we be like? Maybe we should say, based on scripture, we will be like we are, only much more so. Physically alive with resurrected bodies, but not subject to sin, death and decay any longer. Able to see and celebrate the joy of God’s creation but no longer lured into worshipping and abusing His creation. Most of all, we

39

will be like Jesus. Think of the Gospel accounts of the risen Jesus, he was the same, recognizable to his friends and followers, but strangely different. He suffered on the cross and still had the scars, but would never die again. He seemed to belong to both worlds, heaven and earth, at once- and that is what the hope to come is, heaven and earth coming together completely and forever.

4. What does John tell us about someone who continues to sin?

5. In verse 7 John warns us to not let anyone deceive us. What deceptive things is John referring to? What deceptive things are said today about sin and righteousness?

6. Read 1 John 3:11-24. John references the story of Cain and Abel to his audience. Chances are he was not talking to a crowd known for murdering their brothers, what do you think is the point John is trying to make in verses 12-15?

40

Sess

ion 4

- 1 J

ohn 3

7. As mentioned, Cain’s hatred took the form of jealousy. What are other ways hatred can be shown?

8. Think of times when someone showed you they loved you by their actions and not just their words. How did their actions affect you?

9. In verse 20 John says that “If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts.” What is John wanting us to understand by this statement?

10. What is the connection between prayer and the assurance of God’s forgiveness (v. 20-22)?

41

PrayerAs you share about your experiences tonight spend time praying for each other. Take time to ask for God’s guidance on how you can show his love to those around you. And express gratitude for the future hope you have in him. If you feel comfortable share your doubts and disbeliefs in prayer to God and to your group.

Take It HomeAsk yourself: What is the next right thing I know God wants me to do because of this?

John says that the opposite of murder and hatred is showing love by saving the life of another (v. 16). Not many of us will actually be asked to die for someone else, but what might be an every day way to practice laying our life down for a neighbour, stranger, family member or co worker this week?

42

Sess

ion 4

- 1 J

ohn 3

Session 5 1 John 4

45

One of the best-known works of Western art is surely that section of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel which depicts God reaching down to touch Adam’s fingertip and give him life. So well known is this portion of Michelangelo’s monumental work that it appears not merely in art histories and coffee-table display books, but is also used and caricatured in advertising and political cartoons. Only the most jaded of tourists can fail to marvel when gazing up at the mural, so laboriously and painstakingly painted, so powerful in its depiction of the life-giving power of God. We stop, study, appraise and admire. What a masterpiece! What an artist!

In this section of the epistle, John writes, This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world (v. 9). We might be tempted to exclaim, What a masterpiece! What an artist! But “The Sending of the Son” is not simply the title of a painting that we study, admire and appreciate. Michelangelo’s painting has power not just because of its artistic merits, but because we can virtually feel the life that flows from God’s hand to Adam. Even so, John writes not just that God showed his love among us but that he did so by sending the Son into the world that we might live through him.

Make a ConnectionAre there any times where you really felt Gods love? What circumstances in your life were happening when you felt that love?

46

Sess

ion 5

- 1 J

ohn 4

Dig Deep1. Read 1 John 4:1-6. John tells his readers to not believe

every spirit, and to test them. How are they supposed to discern the difference between true and false spirits?

2. Where do we see the spirit of the antichrist (v. 3) today?

3. Why is it so important for Christians to test the spirits?

4. In verse 4 John writes a profound truth; that we are from God and have overcome the false spirits because God is greater than anything in this world. How do you think believers could keep this truth at the forefront of their minds?

5. Read 1 John 4:7-21. John uses the word love in some form more than 25 times in the next 15 verses. What is the connection between human love and God’s love?

47

6. God is love can sound very abstract. But John probably did not intend for it to be an abstract philosophical point. How does John move this idea from the abstract to reality? (v. 9-11)

7. What can our love, or lack of love, be taken as evidence of and why (v. 13-21)?

The Christian faith grows directly out of, and must directly express, the belief that in Jesus the Messiah, the one true God has revealed himself to be love incarnate. Those who hold this faith and embrace it as the means of their own hope and life must themselves reveal the selfsame fact before the watching world. Love incarnate must be the badge that the Christian community wears, the sign not only of who they are but who their God is. (NT Wright, The Early Christian letters for Everyone)

8. John says that the day of judgement is going to come, and that we should not live in fear of it. How does love drive out fear? (v. 16-18)

48

Sess

ion 5

- 1 J

ohn 4

9. “We love, because he first loved us” is one of the more well known verses in 1 John. How has experiencing God’s love for you given you the motivation and ability to love God and others in turn?

10. In verses 20 and 21 John once again tells his audience that we can not claim to love God and then hate others.While Christians are supposed to be loving to others, many of us have stories we could probably share about being hurt by others who were supposed to be loving. And some of us if we are honest might be able to remember times when we too were not loving. Some of our church experiences have been full of in fighting, gossip, snide remarks, and passive aggressive behaviour. Why do you think sometimes Christian groups often become un safe spaces characterized by the opposite of love?

49

PrayerPray that the reality of God’s life in you will be more and more evident to the people around you.

Share and pray about specific people you have trouble loving. Pray for them and for yourself that relationships may be built and mended, and that in all, Gods love will be shown.

Take It Home Ask yourself: What is the next right thing I know God wants me to do because of this?

This week as you have prayed about specific people you struggle to love, think of ways you might be able to show them Gods love. It might just be reaching out with a phone call, or it might be asking them to talk through your relationship with each other. It will probably not be easy, but seek a way to demonstrate the love that God has shown you, to them.

For your final week, consider sharing a meal together before your small group begins.

50

Sess

ion 5

- 1 J

ohn 4

Session 61 John 5

53

“Why can’t you just do what I asked you to do?” I heard that question many times growing up from my parents. It could be a simple request, such as eating breakfast, but for whatever reason I always thought I had a better way of doing things and didn’t follow their instructions. Many years later “why can’t you just do what I asked you to do?” has become a common question I find myself asking my kids.

Some of us for some reason really struggle at following instruction. Sometimes its simple instruction, sometimes more complicated. it might be because we think we know better than the person telling us what to do, or it might be because we don’t like the person asking us.

But John has some clear words about us not following Gods instructions for us. When we don’t we are demonstrating we don’t love God. Those who love God follow his commands.

Make a Connection

Did you ever get in trouble at

school or with your parents

growing up for not doing what

they asked? What motivated

you to not follow their

instruction?

54

Sess

ion 6

- 1 J

ohn 5

Dig Deep1. Read 1 John 5:1-12. What does John say is true about

those who believe that Jesus is the Messiah?

2. What do you think God’s commands are? Where do you find them?

3. John says that if we love God we would keep his commands, and that His commands are not burdensome. What do you think he means by that?

4. Probably some, or many, of us would say we find it difficult to keep Gods commandments. How do verses 4 and 5 expand on Johns meaning?

55

5. As mentioned in previous weeks, when John says the world he does not mean the physical stuff of our existence. Rather he is speaking about the source of temptation, that which distracts us from God, as well as an active evil power. The world resents that God came in the person of Jesus to restore and renew all of creation. With that in mind what does it mean for our faith to overcome the world?

6. What are the most troubling manifestations of the world (in John’s understanding of the world) in our own everyday world?

7. How can our faith then overcome these influences and forces around us?

8. Think of a situation right now in which it looks like good is losing. How does this section of John’s letter speak to that situation?

56

Sess

ion 6

- 1 J

ohn 5

9. What is the life that mars the difference between those who have the son and those who do not (v. 10-12)?

10. Read 1 John 5:13-21. Why does John say we can have confidence in our prayers (v13-15)?

11. Through this letter John has been leading us on a journey of understanding what is truly important: belief in Jesus the messiah , love god and others and to keep pure. Why do you think he concludes his letter with the line “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols?”

57

PrayerReread 1 John 5:13-15 together. Use John’s explanation as to why he writes as a guide to your prayers together. Beginning with expressions of gratitude towards God for who He is and including prayers of petition for those we know and love who may not know the goodness of God in their lives. Take some time sharing about people you know who nee to know Jesus the Messiah before you begin praying, and then pray for them to come to know the truth of God through our love for them.

Take It HomeAsk yourself: What is the next right thing I know God wants me to do because of this?

As this study concludes what has been the strongest lesson you have learned? What is the one or two things that really impacted you? Have you applied them into your daily life? If not take time this week applying what you have learned through this study, if you already have started to apply what you have been learning, keep going! There are many more steps to take in our journeys with God.

Spend some time discussing together what might be a good follow up study to this one to continue to lead you in a growing relationship with Christ.

58

Sess

ion 6

- 1 J

ohn 5