1 John: Faith and Fellowship Lesson Scripture: 1 John 1:1-10

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1 September 7, John: Faith and Fellowship Lesson Scripture: 1 John 1: HCSB Memory Verse But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 Dig Deeper? You can do additional reading and research on 1 John using the Intervarsity Commentary at: and Step by Step through the Week Monday: Begin your week of study by praying that the Holy Spirit would reveal God s truth to you and provide the wisdom you will need to obey God s word. Read and meditate on the 1 John 1:1-10. What words, phrases, or ideas stand out to you? What truth(s) could the Lord be revealing to you? FELLOWSHIP is a key word in the first chapter of 1 John and a theme throughout the epistle. This familiar Greek term, koinonia, meaning to share or have things in common, is first used in Acts 2:42 to describe the relationship among the members of the first church. In the occurrences that follow in the New Testament, koinonia or fellowship is also applied to the believer s relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Reread 1 John 1:10, then Acts 2:42 and Philippians 2:1-2. What do you observe about Christian fellowship in these verses? Reread 1 John 1:1-10. What do you need to be praying for based on the truth God has revealed to you?

2 Tuesday: Read 1 John 1:1-4. If possible, read the passage in two or three different versions of the Bible. Multiple versions are available at Observe: 1 John 1:1-4 What words or phrases in this passage indicate the writer was an authority on this subject? According to John, what are his two purposes for writing the letter? (Hint: so ) Locate the occurrences of the word life in this passage. What is John s message about life? Examine: 1 John 1:1-4 FIRST JOHN is an epistle (letter) written by the apostle John, who also wrote the gospel of John, the Revelation, and two other short letters included in the New Testament. John, who referred to himself as the disciple Jesus loved, revealed a special relationship between him and Jesus. Unlike the other gospel writers, John focuses less on a direct retelling of the life and ministry of the Lord and more on the deeper truths of discipleship and what it means to have an abiding relationship with Jesus. The book of 1 John and the gospel share many common themes, including Jesus as the Word, belief, faith, life, love, light, darkness, and eternal life. In many ways, the epistle serves as a commentary on the ideas first presented in the gospel. The epistle was likely written in the latter part of John s life and prior to his exile on Patmos; this would date 1 John between 80 and 90 AD. Although the recipients of the letter are not identified, John was a recognized leader in the Ephesian church during this period, which leads us to believe the congregation in Ephesus was his target audience. Apparently, this first-century church was experiencing doctrinal challenges within the congregation. John wrote his first epistle to combat teachings denying the truth about Jesus and heretical ideas about sin and salvation.

3 Along with the current passage, read John 1:1-14 and Genesis 1:1, In your own words, describe John s understanding of Jesus? Apply: 1 John 1:1-4 What evidence do you have that Jesus is Savior and Lord? Wednesday: Read 1 John 1:5-7. If possible, read the passage in two or three different versions of the Bible. Multiple versions are available at Observe: 1 John 1:5-7 According to these verses, what is the requirement for fellowship with God? What is the condition for fellowship with one another? What are the two spiritual benefits of walking in the light? Examine: 1 John 1:5-7 LIGHT AND DARKNESS: A crucial point the apostle John makes in the Gospel of John and 1, 2, and 3rd John is the difference between light and darkness. When John says "God is light," he is referring literally to God as illuminator. That is, as the illuminator--as the creator--as the generator of all that was, is, and ever will be. Of course, light not only reveals that which is hidden in darkness, but it also provides energy needed for the giving and sustaining of life. When the earth was dark and

4 void (Genesis) God provided light. This light not only provided physical energy for the development of all life, including human beings, but it also provided spiritual direction ultimately through the person of Jesus Christ for the proper orientation of all life in obedience to God's Word. Accordingly, the message that Jesus Christ brings to this world is one that will bring light to the darkness of any heart. It is the Good News about the truth of God's love that is capable of overcoming any obstacle, no matter how dark. John's use of the word "darkness" refers to all that is opposed to God. This includes everything from the darkness of human sin to the dark power of the devil. By teaching us that "in God, there is no darkness at all," we are assured of God's total supremacy over sin. God is not touched by sin, though He endured the sin of all mankind by allowing his Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross. From this we know that God has overcome sin though He Himself is not corrupted by sin. In this way, God's light is shed upon the darkness of all sin, allowing human beings the opportunity to escape the dark grip of sin for the light of God's love. This is why (and how) "the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin"(1 John 1:7). (Gordon McClelland, Based on the definition of light in verse 5, what is the message about light and darkness in verses 6 and 7? Apply: 1 John 1:5-7 How do your brothers and sisters in Christ help you walk in God s light? Thursday: Read 1 John 1:8-10. If possible, read the passage from a different version of the Bible. Observe: 1 John 1:8-10 How many times does John use the word we in this passage? Who is we?

5 What are the consequences when we sin? (Hint: John mentions this twice in the passage) What are we to do when we sin? What will God do in return? Examine: 1 John 1:8-10 SIN: Here John refers to personal sin (Note: hamartian or missing the mark, in this case the mark is God s righteous standard), that which is committed every day by every human being. Because we have inherited a sin nature from Adam, we commit individual and personal sins, everything from seemingly innocent untruths to murder. Those who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ must pay the penalty for these personal sins, as well as inherited and imputed sin. However, believers have been freed from the eternal penalty of sin hell and spiritual death but now we also have the power to resist sinning. Now we can choose whether or not to commit personal sins because we have the power to resist sin through the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, sanctifying and convicting us of our sins when we do commit them (Romans 8:9-11). Once we confess our personal sins to God and ask forgiveness for them, we are restored to perfect fellowship and communion with Him. (Michael Houdmann, How do verses 8-10 relate to and explain the ideas John presents in verses 5-7? Apply: 1 John 1:8-10 You may not actually say I do not sin (that s delusional!), but how do you sometimes reflect that idea in your thoughts and actions? Friday: Read John 1:1-10 and the following devotional from Moody Bible Institute:

6 Dialogue in the Dark is not a typical exhibition. All the tour guides in this German exhibit are visually impaired. All the visitors are in the dark literally. Instead of relying on sight, visitors must use other senses as they navigate darkened galleries that replicate familiar environments like a grocery store. Wind, temperature, sounds, smells, and texture have increased importance for determining one's environment when sight can no longer be utilized. Similarly, John awakens our senses and nudges our curiosity in the opening lines of his letter. He emphasizes his eyewitness testimony: he has heard, seen, and even touched the Word of Life from the beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry (v 1). We reflect on another beginning when God spoke and it was; His word brought forth life; it was the word of life (Gen 1:1ff). It is shocking to hear that this eternal Word of Life has appeared (v 2); The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14). Notice John mentions seen, looked at, and appeared five times in the first two verses. He is astonished that the Life is no longer simply a word to be heard, but now someone to be seen. Jesus Himself is the Word of life about which John writes. In his Gospel, John refers to Jesus as the Word (cf. John 1:1-2, 14), and Jesus Himself claims to be the life (John 14:6). John's purpose for writing is to invite his readers into fellowship with the Word of life, with the Father and the Son whom He sent (v 3). Like Paul, John connects his readers' well-being with his personal joy (v 4; cf. Phil 2:2). Both John and Paul know that relationships are three-way: you, the other, and God, and that joy cannot be complete if those under your care (cf. I Peter 5:2) are stagnant in fellowship with Christ. The fellowship mentioned in verse 3 is the intimate relationship among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit which is shared by believers in Jesus. TODAY ALONG THE WAY Did you notice that John's own experience hearing, seeing, and touching Life in Jesus compels this letter? Consider how many times John uses words like proclaim and testify. In other words, John's mission is a natural and vibrant outflow of his personal encounter with Jesus. He is not merely proclaiming a message, but a person. Today, reflect on your personal relationship with Jesus and the joy it brings you to invite others into intimate fellowship with the Word of Life, Jesus Christ.