1 John

Lesson 11 John 1:1-10

Bible

This study is centered on the first of three letters written by the Apostle John. John’s letters actually make a fitting tie-in to the study of living a Holy life that was incorporated in the Daniel222.com Leviticus study.

For our introductory lesson, although we will be bouncing in and out of several chapters in this book, read 1 John 1:1-10 in preparation for the questions below:

  1. What is the purpose John states for writing this letter, and why does he feel this letter is so important to the believers who make up the church? (See 1 John 5:13.)
  2. What are the two primary focuses of John’s first letter? (See 1 John 1:5, 4:8, and 4:16.)
  3. Read the following verses and list the things that Christians are NOT to do in order to live a Holy life.
    1. 1 John 2:15
    2. 1 John 4:1
    3. 1 John 5:21
  4. Read 1 John 1:1-4 and the Gospel of John 1:1-3. To whom, or to what, is John referring when he refers to the "word of life" and "the life appeared" in these opening verses of his first letter?
  5. In 1 John 1:1-4, what evidence does John give that Christ is real? (Hint: there are three.)

Can you imagine what it must have been like to live, teach, and travel with Jesus? It is first-hand evidence that Jesus is real, and John wants us to know this—again, so that we may know that we are saved and have eternal life, not death. In 1 John 3:14, John writes, "we know that we have passed from death to life." What a glorious and comforting message, the Gospel, the Good News, is: that despite our sins, by putting our faith in Jesus, we can know that we have eternal life.

Bonus Question:

  1. The three claims in 1 John 1:5-10 were also being made by the Gnostics of John’s day. However, in addition, they claimed that they knew a higher truth and had a deeper wisdom that went beyond the scriptures. Do we have groups today who believe as the Gnostics did? Can you list a belief that these groups might have today that John’s letter is addressing? (For example, it was common in John’s day for people to believe that God did not create the earth, because the earth contains evil. Thus the earth could not have been formed by the spoken word of God. Many were led astray by this doctrine. Is this happening today?) See if you can identify some false doctrines and half-truths that are introducing apostasy into today’s Church.

Have a great week everyone!

In Christ,

Wes

[2021]

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