1 john study guide pdf
This study guide provides an in-depth exploration of 1 John, helping believers deepen their understanding of fellowship, God’s love, and eternal life. It offers practical insights and encourages spiritual growth through reflective questions and biblical analysis.
Authorship and Purpose of 1 John
Traditionally, 1 John is attributed to John the Apostle, the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” Written to strengthen believers’ faith, it combats heresies like Gnosticism, emphasizing God’s love and Jesus’ divine nature. The study guide includes inductive questions and devotionals, fostering personal exploration without theological constraints, aiding believers in understanding fellowship, love, and eternal life through John’s teachings.
Key Themes: Fellowship, God’s Love, and Eternal Life
Central to 1 John are the themes of fellowship, God’s love, and eternal life. Fellowship emphasizes unity with God and believers, rooted in walking in the light. God’s love, demonstrated through Jesus’ sacrifice, transforms believers and calls them to love others; Eternal life is assured through faith in Jesus, offering hope and assurance. These themes interweave, providing a foundation for living a life pleasing to God and experiencing His presence now and forever.
Target Audience and Historical Context
1 John was written by the Apostle John to early Christian believers, addressing both new and established followers of Christ. The epistle was composed amid rising heresies, such as Gnosticism, which threatened the church’s doctrine. John sought to reassure believers of their faith, clarify the nature of Christ, and strengthen their understanding of God’s love and salvation. The historical context reflects a time of spiritual turmoil, making John’s message of assurance and truth-telling crucial for his audience.
Structure of 1 John
1 John is divided into five chapters, each addressing key themes: fellowship with God, Jesus as our Advocate, eternal life, God’s love, and faith in action.
Chapter 1 of 1 John introduces the theme of fellowship with God, emphasizing the declaration of the Word of life and eternal life in Jesus Christ. John highlights the importance of walking in the light to maintain fellowship with God, contrasting light and darkness. He addresses the reality of sin and the necessity of confession for restoring fellowship. The chapter establishes the foundational truth that God is light and that true fellowship requires a life of integrity and honesty before Him.
Chapter 2: Jesus as Our Advocate and the Command to Love
Chapter 2 emphasizes Jesus’ role as our Advocate, who intercedes for believers when they sin. John reinforces the command to love one another, highlighting that love is not new but rooted in God’s nature. He urges obedience to God’s commands as evidence of faith, stressing that those who know God will keep His word. The chapter also provides assurance of salvation through faith in Jesus, linking love and obedience as essential expressions of a genuine relationship with God.
Chapter 3: The Hope of Eternal Life and Sanctification
Chapter 3 highlights the hope of eternal life and the process of sanctification. John emphasizes that purification from sin is necessary for fellowship with God and that believers must live in the light. He assures believers of their identity as children of God and encourages them to live righteously, avoiding sin and imitating Christ’s holiness. The chapter also underscores the hope of Christ’s return and the future glorification of believers, reinforcing the assurance of eternal life for those who abide in Him.
Chapter 4: The Assurance of God’s Love and Overcoming the World
Chapter 4 emphasizes the assurance of God’s love and the victory believers have over the world. John teaches that God’s perfect love casts out fear and that believers can know they are His through obedience and love. He warns against false prophets and emphasizes the importance of testing spirits. The chapter highlights the triumph of faith in Jesus Christ, encouraging believers to stand firm in their confidence, knowing they belong to God and have overcome the world through Him.
Chapter 5: Faith, Prayer, and the Confidence of Believers
Chapter 5 focuses on the power of faith, prayer, and the confidence believers have in God. John emphasizes that true faith overcomes the world and that believers can have assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ. He encourages persistent prayer, knowing that God hears and answers the prayers of those who abide in Him. This chapter also highlights the confidence believers can have in their relationship with God, rooted in His love and the victory provided through Christ.
Fellowship with God
Fellowship with God is rooted in walking in the light, confessing sin, and trusting in Jesus as our Advocate. It restores relational intimacy and spiritual harmony.
Relationship vs. Fellowship: Understanding the Difference
A relationship with God is eternal and unchanging, established through salvation in Christ. Fellowship, however, is experiential and can be disrupted by sin.
While relationship is based on positional righteousness, fellowship depends on practical holiness and walking in the light.
Confession of sin restores fellowship, but not the relationship, which remains secure in Christ.
Confession and Forgiveness: Restoring Fellowship
Confession of sin is essential for restoring fellowship with God, as taught in 1 John 1:9. When believers acknowledge their sins, God faithfully forgives and cleanses them, renewing their walk with Him.
This restoration allows believers to enjoy unbroken communion with God and others, fulfilling the purpose of Christian fellowship.
Such confession is not a one-time event but a continuous part of the Christian life, ensuring intimacy with God remains unbroken.
The Role of Jesus as Our Advocate
Jesus serves as our Advocate before God, interceding on behalf of believers when they sin. As mentioned in 1 John 2:1, His advocacy ensures forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father.
Through His sacrifice, Christ removes the barrier of sin, enabling believers to maintain fellowship with God.
This role underscores Jesus’ loving commitment to His followers, providing assurance of divine mercy and grace.
The Identity of Believers
The Apostle John teaches that believers are children of God, called to live in truth and love. This identity is rooted in a personal relationship with Christ.
How to Know You Are a Child of God
According to 1 John, assurance of being a child of God comes through believing in Jesus Christ and obeying His commands. John emphasizes that true belief is demonstrated by love for others and a life lived in truth. Practical steps include prayer, confession of sin, and walking in the light. The indwelling Spirit also testifies to our identity as God’s children. This relationship brings joy, peace, and confidence in God’s love, empowering believers to live victoriously.
Obedience and Love as Marks of a Believer
In 1 John, believers are marked by obedience to God’s commands and love for others. John emphasizes that love is not merely emotional but demonstrated through actions. Believers are called to walk in the light, keeping God’s commandments, and to love sacrificially, as Jesus loved. This love reflects God’s nature and assures believers of their identity in Christ. Obedience and love are not burdensome but expressions of a transformed heart, bringing joy and confidence in one’s relationship with God.
The New Commandment of Love
Jesus introduced a new commandment: to love one another as He loved us. This sacrificial, selfless love reflects God’s nature and is central to Christian living, uniting believers in Christ.
Walking in the Light and Loving Others
Walking in the light involves living a life of truth, transparency, and moral integrity, reflecting God’s holiness. It is a call to forsake sin and embrace righteousness, ensuring unbroken fellowship with God.
Loving others is a direct commandment from Jesus, demonstrated through selfless acts and genuine care. By walking in the light, believers are empowered to love others as Christ loved them, fostering unity and authenticity in their relationships.
The Sacrificial Nature of God’s Love
Godb1s love is profoundly sacrificial, demonstrated through Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for humanity. This selfless act reveals the depth of God’s mercy and grace, providing forgiveness and reconciliation. The sacrifice of Jesus underscores the commandment to love others sacrificially, mirroring God’s love. Believers are called to reflect this love in their actions, serving as a testament to God’s transformative power in their lives. This sacrificial love is both a gift and a responsibility, shaping how believers interact with the world.
Assurance of Salvation
Assurance of salvation in 1 John is rooted in faith and prayer, offering believers confidence in eternal life through trust in God’s promises and His enduring love.
Tests of Assurance: Obedience, Love, and Victory Over Sin
In 1 John, assurance of salvation is confirmed through obedience to God’s commands, demonstrating love for Him and others, and overcoming sin. Believers who walk in the light, confess their sins, and trust in Jesus as their Advocate experience victory over sin. This victory brings confidence in their eternal life and fosters a deeper relationship with God. By living out these principles, Christians can gain assurance of their salvation and abide in God’s love.
Practical Steps to Maintain Assurance
To maintain assurance of salvation, believers should consistently practice prayer, confess sins, and trust in Jesus as their Advocate. Daily engagement with Scripture, walking in obedience, and abiding in God’s love are essential. Fellowship with other believers and living a life of love and service also strengthen assurance. By these practical steps, Christians can continually experience the confidence of their salvation and deepen their relationship with God, trusting in His faithfulness and grace.