Abide test 2
What do you think it means to "love the world"? Note the three categories John mentions in verse 16 and give an example for each.
1) lust of the flesh (sensuality) 2) lust of the eyes (coveting) 3) pride of life (possessions)
Two believing women in your small group hold radically different political views. They are constantly in conflict. How would you counsel them to live in the light of 1 John 2:9-11?
Everyone has different opinions and respect that, you should also love her as Jesus loves you
Look up Matthew 7:21-23. How does Jesus use the concept of "knowing" in this passage? What does He mean to communicate by His use of the term?
It means having a relationship with
What warning does John give in these verses? Summarize his thoughts.
The world is passing away, do not love it and the world wont be here forever
How does keeping God's Word perfect (verb) His love in us (1 John 2:5)? Does John mean we will become perfect? Why or why not?
This means we will be complete
What do you think John wants to communicate in 1 John 2:3-17? What theme does he continue from the previous section
Walking in light vs walking in darkness/ giving us his commandments to show how to live our lives
Now connect the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:15-20 to 1 John 2:3-6. What would both Jesus and John say is one test we can use to discern whether someone's profession of faith is genuine?
bearing fruit/faith showing God's command
why is it a lie to claim to know God without obeying Him?
because if we love Him then we would want to keep His commandments
John offers a test in 1 John 2:3-6 for proving that we truly know "Jesus Christ, the righteous" (v.1). What is the test?
by keeping his commandments
According to 1 John 2:9-11, how can we test who is "in the light"?
by seeing who they love and hate
Within the context of a community of believers, who would be a "child"? A "young man"? A "father"?
child is a new believer ; young man = saved for a while ; father = spiritual mature
Now look back at Matthew 7:15-20. Note the context of Jesus's remarks about whom He "knows." To whom will Jesus say, "I never knew you" (v. 15)?
false teachers
Why do you think John addresses these three groups specifically? Does he mean these terms literally or figuratively?
figuratively
In 1 John 2:8-11, John returns to the contrasting images of light and darkness. What new pair of contrasting terms does he also introduce?
love and hate
What contrasting pair of ideas does John explore in these verses?
love of the world and the love of the father
Three ways to use the law
mirror - we see ourselves against what God commands restraint - boundaries that help us live in community path - shows us what is pleasing to the Lord
What does agape mean?
unconditional love, selfless
How do we relate to the law?
you want to obey God when you are a child of God ; to love God, is to love God's law ; the law is the means by which we grow in completeness and holyness
