David Rudd

 

Small Group Questions for 1 John

Page history last edited by David 2 yrs ago

1 John 2:1-11

 

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for[a] the sins of the whole world.

 3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love[b] is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

 7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

 9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him[c] to make him stumble. 11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

 

  • Why would we want to know "how not to sin?"  Is this the kind of information that most people would want?  Why or why not? According to 1:8-10, who needs to learn how to stop sinning?  Would the "argument" of 1:8-10, be compelling for all people (even the unsaved)?
  • What do you think it means that Jesus "speaks to the Father in our defense?"  Why would Jesus be an effective "defense attorney" for us?  What evidence would he use to make his case?
  • What comes to mind when you hear the word "atonement"?
    • atonement -- satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends.
    • Who has been wronged?  Who needs to be satisfied?  To whom did Jesus pay our debt?
  •  If verse two explains how "salvation" happens, then verse three explains how to be certain of your salvation.  Does this verse answer the question, "How can I know if I'm saved?"  How?

     

     

  • In verses 4, 6, and 9; John explores three claims people make about their spirituality.  How do these claims interact with those made in 1:6, 1:8, and 1:10?  Are the character traits claimed, things we should pursue in our lives?  According to these passages, how can we know when these claims are true?  What do these principles teach us about the character traits of a "true disciple"?
  • Compare verses 9-11 with John 13:34-35.  Why do you think John calls this an "old" command?  Notice that he ties the "newness" of the command to his audience's experience with Jesus.  Why do you think their experience would make this a "new" command?
  • What are the specific characteristics John gives regarding those who walk in darkness and those who walk in light?  Which is to be preferred?
  • Discuss the significance of the following terms in 1 John:
    • Walk
    • Light
    • Love
    • Stumble
    • Darkness
    • Hate
  • What does all this mean to you?  How will you walk differently this week?

 

For Next Week:

  • Read and meditate on 1 John 2:12-17
  • Read the following passages and consider how they are related to 1 John 2:15-17:
  • Matthew 5:13-16
  • 1 Cor. 7:29-31
  • 1 Peter 2:11-12

 

1 John 2:12-17

 

 12I write to you, dear children,

      because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

 13I write to you, fathers,

      because you have known him who is from the beginning.

   I write to you, young men,

      because you have overcome the evil one.

   I write to you, dear children,

      because you have known the Father.

 14I write to you, fathers,

      because you have known him who is from the beginning.

   I write to you, young men,

      because you are strong,

      and the word of God lives in you,

      and you have overcome the evil one.

 

 15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

 

  • Introductory Material
    • Three Groups of People -- represent different levels of spiritual maturity.  The truths of 1 John are applicable to all, and the commands are valid for all.
    • Three Characteristics -- These are some of the marks of those who walk in the light.  They are perhaps identifiers of spiriual maturity.
      • sins have been forgiven -- motivated by hope not guilt
      • known God
      • overcome the evil one
    • "The Word of God lives in you"(see John 15 "abide/remain" is the same word as "lives") -- Our power comes from our relationship with Christ.  (Jesus as Word, John1 and 1 John 1:1)

 

The Love of the World

  • How would you define "LOVE"?
  • What might be a parrallel statement to "loving the world?" (eg. I love hot-dogs is not parallel to I love Marianne).
  • Read the three ways John defines "love of the world".  Give specific examples of what those things might be for someone in their 20s in West Michigan.  Is it possible to "do" or "have" the things of the world without "loving" them?  Why or why not?
  • Why do people get married? What's the difference between dating and being married? (snicker...) (MOVE TOWARD "TEMPORAL" vs. "PERMANENT" v.16-17)  Once you are married, do you date other people?  Why or why not?  How might the analogy of marriage be similar to verse 15?
  • What should be the Christian's relationship with the world?
    • Matthew 5:13-16
    • 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
    • 1 Peter 2:11-12
    • Titus 2:11-14
  • How does the marriage analogy inform our opinion on this issue?  Does a man never interact with other women once he is married?   Does the way he interacts change?  Are there "lines" of appropriate behavior?
  • The analogy breaks down when we talk about evangelism.  How do we interact with the world in such a way that we can be "relevant" but not "unfaithful"?  How do we know when to "ask for the question?"  (We usually wait too long.)
  • What do we need to do about this?

 

Matthew 5:13-16

13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

 

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

 29What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

 

1 Peter 2:11-12

11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

 

Titus 2:11-14

11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Love of the World part 2

 

"How do we live in the world appropriately without loving the things of the world?"

 

Matthew 5:13-16

13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

 

  • Consider what is the "primary element" which makes something what it is.  Salt = saltiness; A light = lightgiving; Salt that is not salty, is just sand.  A light that gives no light is not a light.
  • How do men treat salt which has lost its saltiness?
  • How do men respond to a light which gives light?
  • What is the "primary element" which makes a Christian a Christian?  What makes you different than the "world"?  What does it look like to lose that primary element?  What does it look like to use it?

 

1 Peter 2:11-12

11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

 

  • Consider four important aspects of this verse.
    • Sinful Desires
    • The Pagans
    • Living
    • Abstaining
  • From what are we to abstain?  Where are we to live?  What happens when we get these backwards?
    • Abstain -- Sinful Desires
    • Live -- Among the Pagans
    • NOT
      • Abstain from the Pagans
      • Live among the sinful desires
      • These are the two extremes Christians go to.
  • Do pagans need to be avoided in order to abstain from sinful desires?
  • How does the end of verse 12 connect this passage with Matthew 5:13-16?

 

Titus 2:11-14

11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

 

  • To what are we supposed to say, "no"?
    • Ungodliness -- not acting like God
    • Worldly Passions -- life without God
  • To what are we supposed to say, "yes"?
    • Self-Control -- Practice/Discipline
    • Upright -- Nothing to be ashamed of... No accusation can hold up (1 Peter says the accusations will come).
      • Christians should be the best at everything they do, not because they want to be liked, but because we want the one we represent to be liked.
    • Godly -- looking like God (Jn1) means looking like Jesus through the (Jn14) power of the Spirit means exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5)
  • Where does this happen? IN THIS PRESENT AGE (among the pagans?)
  • When does this happen? WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE GLORIOUS APPEARING (1 Peter 2:12)

 

HOPE. How we live IN the world MUST be critically tied to what believe ABOUT the world.

  • If this is all there is, i can live as i please.
  • If there is something more, i must consider the ramifications of that.

 

Titus 2:13 -- "while we wait for the blessed hope"

1 Peter 2:12 -- "on the day he visits us."

1 John 2:17 -- "the man who does the will of God lives forever".

 

The HOPE of the believer is that there is "MORE TO THIS LIFE".

 

VERSES ON HOPE:

  • Ephesians 1:18
  • Titus 1:2
  • Romans 8:24-25
  • Romans 15:13
  • Psalms 33:17-18
  • 1 Timothy 6:17
  • 1 Thes. 4:13
  • 1 Thes. 1:3
  • Colossians 1:5
  • Hebrews 11:1
  • 1 Peter 3:15

 

1 John 2:18-29

 

 

  • Read verse 18.  The coming of Antichrist is associated with the end of times.  John seems to indicate that already many "antichrists" have appeared on the screen.  What do you think John means by "antichrist"? (1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7)
  • Read verse 19.  It appears that John is suggesting that the antichrists came out of the church.  How would this be possible?

  • What do you think it means to have an "annointing from the Holy One?"  If we see ourselves in this verse, how is the annointing we have been given connected to our ability to "know all truth"?
  • Why does John say that the man who denies Christ is a "liar"?  What do you think it means to "deny" Christ?
  • Read Matthew 10:33.  The word "disowns" is the same as the word "deny".   Does this shed any light on the meaning of "denying" Christ?  Skim through the passage preceeding this passage.  What is the context in which Matthew is talking about "disowning" Christ?
  • Read Matthew 26:70,72.  Knowing the story in which these verses appear, would you say Peter was "antichrist"?  Why or why not?
  • In every passage we've looked at, those who deny Christ have full knowledge of who He is.  What is a situation that might cause you to act in a way that contradicts your knowledge of who Jesus is?  Why do we so easily get embarrassed about Jesus?
  • What is a setting that you want to "ACKNOWLEDGE" Jesus this week?

 

1 John 3:1-10

 

 

  • Read the passage as a group, having each person read one verse.
  • What are the things that stick out at you in this passage?
    • Key Words
    • Big Ideas
    • Contrasts
    • Patterns
  • All of these verses (and those beyond) are unpacking a big truth: "We are the children of God"
  • Describe the ideal family meal.  What does it look like, sound like, feel like?  What is the interaction like?
  • What are some of the behaviors and attitudes that show someone to be a "child of God"?
  • Tell a story that illustrates what it means to be live rightly.
  • Do verses 6-10 teach that a Christian can never sin?  Why or why not?  What do these verses teach regarding Christians and sin?
  • What do you think it means to "live in him"? (vs. 6).  Read John 15:4-8.  Do these verses add any insight to the idea of "living in Jesus"?
  • How does a relationship change (for better and worse) when you live with someone?  How would your relationship with Jesus change if you literally lived with Him?
  • How have you experienced God's lavishing of love recently?  Do you think you would live more like His child, if you felt His love more often?  Why or why not?
  • How can we intentionally position ourselves in places to experience God's love?

 

ASSIGNMENT:

  • Do verse by verse study in 1 John 3:11-24 (at least six verses)
  • Do practice verse together.  Demonstrate using Ebible.com.

 

 

1 John 3:11-24

 

 

Clear-Cut Commands in this Passage:

  1. Love one another
  2. Do not be like Cain
  3. Do not be surprised if the world hates you
  4. Lay down your life for your brothers
  5. Love with actions not words

 

Implications:

  1. Our love for one another should be:
    1. familial -- brotherly  (cain is the negative example)
    2. sacrificial
    3. clearly demonstrated
  2. We might not always be loved
    1. The world might hate us
    2. The reason is because we are different
    3. Moving from the realm of darkness/death to the realm of light/life means a significant life change
    4. Don't expect people in the world to exhibit that life change
  3. The World's Standard and Ours
    1. It's expected that the world will hate
    2. It's not accepted when brothers do

 

Contrasts:

  1. World -- Death -- Hate -- Words?
  2. Brothers -- Life -- Love -- Actions?

 

DISCUSSION:

  • What were some of your thoughts that resulted from the verse studies you did?
  • What are some of the themes that seemed to be repeated throughout the passage? (love, action, living in Christ)
  • Look at the list of "FIVE COMMANDS".  Which of these is the easiest to keep?  Which is the most difficult?  Why?
  • Together read Genesis 4:3-8.  What were Cain's biggest mistakes?  Why?
  • How might we sometimes act like Cain?
  • Talk about a time you have been tempted to compare yourself to someone else.  Have you ever "villainized" someone in your mind to make you feel better about yourself?  Did it work?
  • Why does John not expect people in the "world" to love?  What is different about a Christian that would make them a loving person?
  • Give a practical example of how verse 16 might be put into action. (lay down your life for your brother)
  • What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us love one another?  How can we allow the Spirit to have more control in our life?
  • What is something you can do this week to obey the five commands we talked about?

1 John 4:1-3

 

Key Words:

  • spirit(s)
  • Spirit
  • false prophets
  • Jesus Christ
  • antichrist

 

Implications:

  • The idea of "spirit" is an extension of chapter 3.  "We know it by the Spirit he gave us." (The Holy Spirit is a gift from God which confirms our life in Him).
  • The CONTRAST of this passage:
    • false prophets gone out into the world -- spirits which are from God
    • false spirits -- Holy Spirit
    • spirit of antichrist -- Spirit of God
  • The question or challenge of the passage deals with which spirit we will "believe".
  • How we tell the difference:
    • Spirit of God -- Jesus Christ has come in the flesh from God
    • spirit of antichrist -- does not acknowledge Jesus

 

Background:

  • Gnosticism claimed that Jesus could not have been God in flesh because flesh is evil.  Thus John was making it clear that anyone who made that specific distinction could not be trusted as a true teacher.
  • What is the gnosticism of today?  What are the lies about Jesus we are told now?  Pluralism?  Not really God?

 

Discussion:

  • For each of the following items, shout out what it is that provides the power for it to accomplish it's task:
    • Car (engine)
    • Canoe (paddle)
    • Steamboat (steam)
    • Paddleboat (paddle)
    • Motorboat (motor)
    • Covered Wagon (horses)
    • People...
  • When you think about the Holy Spirit. what are the first thoughts you have?  How do you think the Holy Spirit works in people's lives?
  • The word for spirit in the New Testament is "pneuma" which also means "breath" (think "pneumonia").   Would it be okay to call the Spirit of God the "breath of God?"  Why or why not?  How  might the idea of breathing shape our relationship with the Holy Spirit?
  • What do you think the "spirits" are that replace the Holy Spirit in our life?  (influences, urges, thoughts, desires, inclinations, other people, etc...)  Why do you think John compares these spirits to false teachers?
  • What are some false things people believe about Jesus? (didn't exist; wasn't God; just a good man; etc.)  If someone is being controlled by the Holy Spirit will they believe these things?  Why or why not?
  • The most important aspect of our relationship with Jesus is depending on Him for our salvation.  Our dependence of Him is significantly tied to the fact that He is God.  However, there are times when we choose to depend on ourselves rather than Him.  When we do this, we are in effect suggesting that we are more reliable, dependable, or powerful than Him.
  • How are ways we are tempted to rely on ourselves instead of God?
  • When we rely on ourselves instead of Jesus, what "spirit" are we listening to?
  • If you could list one or two things you think the Spirit of God is talking to you about, what would you say?  Why?
  • How can the group pray for you?

 

 

 

 

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