Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the epistle of 1 John. I feel a great sense of urgency to publish them because I’m not sure how much time we have left on this big, blue marble. Thank you for reading them. I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, mid to late summer 2010, things are still looking pretty bleak with the economy and unemployment, BP finally thinks they’ve stopped the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, and many people I know personally are experiencing difficulties of mega-crisis proportions – including my own diagnosis of breast cancer. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked…Stacey
Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 3 of 1 John. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
3:1 – The Father lavishes His love on us by giving us His name.
Can you think of any special significance with regard to God bestowing a name within scripture?
3:2 – I love this verse! The honor of seeing Jesus is something I look forward to. Do you?
3:3 – What hope is John referring to? I believe he is talking about being privileged to be a child of God and honored with the hope of seeing Jesus.
see 2 Timothy 4:8.
3:4 – Everyone breaks the law because everyone sins. Sin is lawlessness. Therefore, the man of lawlessness referred to in scripture could also be called the man of sin.
3:5 – Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins. He has accomplished His part. We need to acknowledge His sacrifice for us and accept the forgiveness He offers. Have you done this? If not, take a moment to pray the prayer on the left. Then seek out a Christian friend or church Pastor to help guide you in getting to know Jesus.
3:6 – If we live in Him, we won’t keep on sinning because knowing Him changes us. If we continue to sin, it’s a good indication that we don’t know him.
3:7 – John commands us not to let anyone lead us astray. We can recognize a righteous man because he will do what is right.
3:8 – We can recognize a sinful man by his sinful behavior. This is why Jesus came: to destroy sin.
3:9 – Why do you think John is reiterating what he said in verse 6?
3:10 – John wanted to be sure that we would recognize righteous men and sinful men so that we wouldn’t be led astray.
How do you rate yourself on this scale? Do you do what is right? Do you love your brother?
3:11 – Loving one another is crucial. This refers to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Can you find other scriptures that teach about loving your brother?
3:12 – We’re commanded not to be like Cain. Why? Could we belong to Jesus and murder a brother? Do you remember the Biblical teaching that a man can commit murder with hatred? Find that reference. What does this teach you?
3:13 – The world will hate believers. Why do you think that is?
3:14 – We can have the assurance that Christ’s life is in us if we love our brothers. Do you have Christ’s life in you? Remember that we can all be unlovable at times. It’s not their behavior that makes us love others. It’s Christ loving them through us. Let Christ love others through you. If you struggle with this, pray that He will do this supernaturally through you.
3:15 – Hatred is murder. Those who hate do not have eternal life in them.
3:16-17 – demonstrating agape.
3:16 – We’ve been told several times to love our brothers. Now we’re told how to love our brothers: by laying down our lives for our brothers as Jesus laid down His life for us. This speaks of sacrifice, which can come in many forms. Can you name a few things you might sacrifice for a brother?
3:17 – Here’s one practical way to sacrifice for a brother: see to his physical needs.
3:18 – Here’s another great verse! Let’s not pay lip service and say we love each other. Let’s show it! How are you showing it?
3:19-20 – God knows if we’re just paying lip service. He knows the motivation of our hearts. He knows if we are loving in truth.
How do you know that you belong to the truth?
3:21 – I struggle with this verse because scripture teaches that the heart is deceitful. What do you think this verse means? You may want to examine it with the verses that follow.
3:22 – This verse implies that we receive what we ask of Him because we are obedient and do what pleases him – which would indicate that we are asking of Him in alignment with His will for us.
3:23 – We are to believe in the name of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. We are also to love one another.
3:24 – He lives in the one who obeys His commands. We know that He lives in us because of the Spirit he gave us. What evidence do you have that the Spirit lives in you?
• First John instructs us in how to live a life of love. Like First Peter, it also llustrates several life lessons and warnings for Christians. What is God teaching you in this chapter of scripture? How will you apply it to your life this week?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?
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