Waipuna Chapel - Small Group Study - I John 2:3-14 Love Letter #4

Waipuna Chapel - Small Group Study - 1 John 2:3-14 – Love Letter #4

Before Small Group

1) Listen to the corresponding message either live or at www.waipunachapel.com. Or you can pick up a CD from church. 2) Pray and ask God for insight as you do your personal study. 3) Answer the questions as well as you can. Don’t look for a right answer, answer what you think.

Developing Character

Read: 1 John 2:3-14 3 we know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 but if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. 11 but whoever hates his brother are in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him. 12 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

There is a lot in here, let’s do our best to get as much truth out as possible, and have it permeate our hearts. You may have to look at some “helps” or resources, but you can do it! We will go through verse by verse… ready? Let’s do it! (This is the pastoral pep talk.)

3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 but if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:

What commands are we supposed to be obeying? (Try to list commands that Jesus gave)

Why is obedience connected with God’s love being made complete in us?

How does obedience to God’s commands fit with the grace that God gives us? What are your impressions on David’s view of following God’s commands? Psalm 119:1-19 Psalm 119:1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. 3 They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! 6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. 8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 12 Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. 13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. 17 Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word. 18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. 19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.

Verse 6 says: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. Is it even possible to walk as Jesus did? What do you think John means? (Don’t look this up. What do you think John means? If you don’t know, stop pray and ask God for help in understanding. Now write what you think he means.)

What is the old command? (Explain it) 7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard.

What is this new command? (Explain it) 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

We talked about forgiveness last week, but let’s talk some more about it. What kind of darkness are we in if we hate our brother? What does this do to us? What do these verses have to do with character? (Our internal thoughts matching our external words and actions.)

Why do you think John clarifies whom he is writing to? (vs. 12- 14) 12 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

What about the women? Is John ignoring them or is there another point of emphasis here? (You can look this one up)

Character: Living the same on the inside and outside. Forgiven so we forgive… Loved so we love… Filled with grace so we show grace.

On your own (don’t need to share this, though you are free to.)

What areas of your life are you living in contradiction? (Grace, forgiveness, love …)

What do you need to do about it? What do you want to do about it? What will you do about it?

Prayer for each other.