Home Page

I John 1

  1. What can you learn about John’s purpose in writing this letter?

 

  1. To whom was it written?

 

  1. During this period, many false teachers had emerged in the church.  What were some of their teachings that opposed the Apostle John’s message (the message of Christ)?

  

Do we still have a problem with false teachers?  Have you ever encountered false teaching?

 

What are some of the false teachings in the church today?

 

How should we deal with false teachers and teachings?

 

  1. Read I John 1:1-4.  Keeping in mind that John was addressing false doctrine, why do you believe he began his letter this way?

 

What is John establishing?

 

  1. According to these introductory verses, why should we believe John?

  

  1. In verse 3 John mentions fellowship.  What is your definition of fellowship?

  

What is your definition of Christian fellowship?

 

Why is Christian fellowship important?  Or is it?

 

  1. In verses 3 & 4, John gives two reasons for writing this letter.  What are they?  Do these reasons still apply to us?  How?

  

  1. Read vv 5-10.  John addresses the issue of fellowship with God.  John gives two tests to determine if we are truly in fellowship with Him.  What are these two tests?

  

Vv 5-7.

  

Vv 8-10.

  

  1. In verse 5, John addresses one of the problems in the church.  How would you paraphrase verse 5?

  

What does it mean to you when John says, “God is light”?

 

What does it mean to walk in darkness?

 

  1. According to verse 6 some were claiming to be in fellowship with God but also were walking in darkness.  John calls them liars.  Why?

  

Why is this claim impossible?

 

  1. What are the “benefits” of walking in the light?

  

  1. According to John, how important is our talk and how important is our walk?

  

  1. To what truth is John referring in verse 8?

  

  1. Verse 9 is one of the most often quoted scriptures.  What does it mean to you that we are to confess our sins?

  

What are the promises for those who confess their sins?

 

How have you experienced this forgiveness and purification?

  

How often do you confess your sins?

 

According to John’s letter, what does it mean if we do not confess our sins?

 

  1. Suppose you had a drinking problem and felt led to confess this sin before the church.  What benefits would you reap?

  

How comfortable would you be confessing your sins openly before the church?  Why?

 

What can we do to restore confession to its proper place?

 

  1. What are some of the ways we can claim to be without sin?

  

Why is this dangerous?

 

  1. After reading I John 1, how would you describe fellowship with Jesus?

 

What steps can the church take to restore fellowship with God?

 

With one another?