1 John Study Guide PDF

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CONTENT
This study guide was edited, and the study questions were written, by Brett
Baggett. The excerpts contained are from The ESV Study Bible, The New
City Catechism Devotional, as well as excerpts from sermons, books, and
articles by many pastors, authors, and theologians, both current and from
church history.
HOW TO USE IT
This 1 John Study Guide is designed to help you work through the Apostle
John’s first letter in 14 weeks (one week of introduction; 13 weeks of Bible
study). I hope this will be a great tool for personal study, small groups, and
leadership training of various kinds.
PURPOSE
My hope for this study guide is to equip the people of Jesus Christ to
understand, love, and obey the written Word of God. I believe when that
happens, they will more joyfully understand, love, and obey the Incarnate
Word of God—Jesus Christ the Righteous.
For God’s glory and the joy of all people,
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RECOMMENDED HELP FOR STUDYING 1 JOHN
From most technical to most accessible
Most Technical
1-3 John by Robert W. Yarbrough 

(Baker Exegetical Commentary on the NT)
Technical
The Letter of John by Colin G. Cruse 

(The Pillar New Testament Commentary) 
Technical but Accessible
1-3 John by Douglas Sean O’Donnell 

(Reformed Expository Commentary)
 
Accessible
Exalting Jesus in 1, 2, 3 John by Daniel Akin 

(Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary)
Most Accessible
1, 2, 3 John by John Calvin and Matthew Henry 

(The Crossway Classic Commentaries  
edited by Alister McGrath and J.I. Packer)
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1 JOHN
Jesus’ love changes everything
STUDY GUIDE
Study 0 - INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW - 8
Study 1 - THE JOY OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 1:1-4 - 11
Study 2 - THE LIGHT OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 1:5-10 - 14
Study 3 - THE ADVOCACY OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 2:1-11 - 18
Study 4 - THE TRIUMPH OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 2:12-17 - 23
Study 5 - THE ANOINTING OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 2:18-27 - 27
Study 6 - THE CONFIDENCE OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 2:28-3:10 - 30
Study 7 - THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 3:11-18 - 34
Study 8 - THE GREATNESS OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 3:19-24 - 37
Study 9 - THE PROTECTION OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 4:1-6 - 40
Study 10 - THE POWER OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 4:7-21 - 43
Study 11 - THE LIFE OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 5:1-5 - 47
Study 12 - THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 5:6-12 - 50
Study 13 - THE ASSURANCE OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 5:13-21 - 53
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Study 0
INTRODUCTION TO THE AUTHOR AND HIS LETTER

John was an ordinary young man following his father in the family trade as a
fisherman. Then one day, as Jesus walked by on the shores of Galilee, he called out to
John and his brother James. “Immediately,” Matthew writes, “they left the boat and
their father and followed him” (Matthew 4:22). Jesus called John into a relationship with
him—he trained him, served him, taught him, rebuked him, gave him authority as an
Apostle, and even entrusted his mother to John’s care as he was hanging on the cross.
In short, Jesus loved John.

Not just in word, but in deed as well. John knew this; he knew the love of Jesus well.
When he wrote his eye-witness account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, he called
himself “the one that Jesus loved” (John. 13:23). Years after he witnessed Jesus
resurrect from the dead and ascend back to heaven, the Apostle John wrote a letter to
multiple churches in modern day turkey. Though he is writing to protect the church from
false teachers—from being swept away into Gnosticism—the main thrust of his letter is
this: I have experienced the love of Jesus; you can experience it as well. And once you
do, you will never be the same. Or you could say it another way:
Jesus’ love changes everything.
1. Read Matthew 4:18-22. What was John’s family business? What do you think it
would mean to leave your family business and follow Jesus in that day? How is
John being called to follow Jesus a great example of what it looks like to be a
Christian? What has following Jesus cost you?
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2. Read John 13:23. What do we learn about John’s perception of how Jesus felt
about him?
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3. Read John 19:26-27. What did Jesus entrust John with? What does this tell us
about Jesus and John’s relationship? What does this tell us about John’s love for
Jesus and love for those who belong to Jesus?
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4. Read Galatians 2:9. What did Paul have to say about the Apostle John? What does
he mean?
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5. Read Revelation 1:1-2. According to this passage, who wrote the book of
Revelation? What does this tell us about Jesus’ special purpose for the Apostle
John?
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6. Read Revelation 1:9. According to this passage, why was John exiled on the island
of Patmos? What does this tell us about John’s character?
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According to Church History,
John was boiled alive. Miraculously he didn’t die, and graciously he didn’t deny Jesus,
so he was exiled to the island of Patmos as penalty for preaching the gospel. Patmos is
a lonely, rough, and barren place in the middle of the sea, covered in sharp rocks and
harassed by high winds. John experienced all of this for the love of Jesus and His
church. This is where Jesus appeared to him and John wrote what we call the book of
Revelation.
Years later, John was released from prison on Patmos and he spent the
rest of his life preaching and teaching the gospel in and around
Ephesus.
When he was around 100 years old, he died. This was Jesus’ best friend on the earth;
this was the man Jesus entrusted His mother to; this was the man Jesus gave the
prophecy of Revelation to; this was the man Jesus gave authority as His Apostle; this is
a man that knows much of Jesus’ love. May we cling to his promises, obey his
commands, and believe what he teaches us about God, knowing ultimately that "no
prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were
carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).
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Study 1
1 JOHN 1:1-4 - THE JOY OF JESUS’ LOVE
THE TRINITY
“How many persons are there in God? There are three persons in the one true
and living God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are the same in
substance, equal in power and glory.” - New City Catechism, question 3
“The doctrine of the Trinity is crucial for the Christian because there is nothing
more important in all the world than knowing God. If God exists as one God in
three persons, if the one divine essence subsists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
if we are baptized into this triune name, then no Christian should want to be
ignorant of these Trinitarian realities. In the end, the Trinity matters because God
matters.” - Kevin DeYoung, commentary on The New City Catechism, question 3
1. Where was the “word of life,” “life,” and “eternal life” before he was manifested to
us? What does that mean? How does John 1:1-2 help clarify?
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2. What does John mean when he writes that Jesus was “made manifest to us”? How
does John 1:14 help clarify?
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3. What evidences does John repeatedly give to help us know that he actually knows
Jesus?
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4. Why does John say he’s proclaiming these truths in this letter? 
*Hint: look for the words “so that”
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5. What does it mean to have “fellowship” with the Father and the Son? How is this
more than simply knowing about the Father and the Son?
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6. Why do you think John emphasize both Jesus’ humanity and His deity at the
beginning of this letter (that Jesus is both truly God and truly man at the same
time)? How might we go astray if we do not affirm both truths?
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7. How does an encounter with Jesus fuel missions? Why does John want others to
share in the knowledge of Jesus? How can we grow to experience the same
motives?
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8. Some theologians maintain that the very purpose of life is to experience and
express joy in a relationship with God. Do you agree? What does it mean for joy to
be “complete”?
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IDOLATRY
“What is idolatry? Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator for
our hope and happiness, significance and security.” - The New City Catechism,
question 17
“The last verse of 1 John is, “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” John
has not mentioned idolatry by name once in the entire letter, so we have to
conclude one of two things. Either he is now, in the very last sentence, changing
the whole subject, or he is summarizing all he has been saying in the epistle
about living in the light (holiness), love, and truth. The latter seems more
reasonable—and these implications are also significant. John, in one brief
statement, is expressing in negative terms what he had spend the whole letter
putting in the positive. The must mean that the only way to walk in holiness,
love, and truth is to keep free from idols. They are mutually exclusive. Underlying
any failure to walk in holiness is some form of idolatry.”  
- Tim Keller, the Prodigal God Study Guide
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Study 2
1 JOHN 1:5-10 - THE LIGHT OF JESUS’ LOVE
FORGIVENESS OF SINS
“Does Christ’s death mean all our sins can be forgiven? Yes, because Christ’s
death on the cross fully paid the penalty for our sin, God graciously imputes
Christ’s righteousness to us as if it were our own and will remember our sins no
more.” 
- The New City Catechism, question 25
“Some years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer, my great concern was that
the surgeon would get it all. I wasn’t really interested in a cure that was only
partial. And when we think about Jesus bearing our sins, the mystery and the
wonder of the gospel is that he deals with all of them. He who was absolutely
perfect died in the place of sinners, identifying with us in our guilt and becoming
liable to our punishment. When Paul writes to the Corinthians, he tells them that
God was not counting their sins against them. And the reason for that is
because he was counting them against him. Jesus died not as a martyr, but as a
substitute. The invitation of the gospel is given to all, but the assurance of
forgiveness is only for those who are in Christ, whose sins have been counted to
him.”  
- Alistair Begg, The New City Catechism commentary on question 25
1. What does John mean when he writes, “this is the message we have heard from
him and proclaim to you” in the first half of verse 5?
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2. Why is it important to realize that the gospel message has not changed?
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3. What does John mean when he writes, “God is light, and in him there is no
darkness at all” in the second half of verse 5? Try and write say the same thing but
with different words or a different comparison.
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4. Light is a common theme in Scripture. How does the image of light help you
understand who God is?
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5. How does the truth that Jesus is “the light of the world” fuel missions around the
world?
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6. What is John getting at in verse 6?
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7. How has our culture come to take sin lightly? How do we do this in our own lives?
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10. Why is it important to get our idea of sin from what God says rather than from our
culture?
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11. What is John getting at in verses 9-10?
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12. What is the relationship between belief and action according to John? What do your
actions say about your relationship with Jesus?
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JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION

“What do justification and sanctification mean? Justification means our declared
righteousness before God, made possible by Christ’s death and resurrection for
us. Sanctification means our gradual, growing righteousness, made possible by
the Spirit’s work in us.” - The New City Catechism, question 32
“Please don’t get these backward. The whole world gets it all backward. Other
religions get it all backward, where our works and our efforts to overcome
imperfections might make us pleasing to God. You never can get there that way.
God reckons us as acceptable, makes us his children, counts us as righteous;
and because of that righteousness we then spend a lifetime becoming what we
already are.” 
- John Piper, commentary on The New City Catechism, question 32
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Study 3
1 JOHN 2:1-11 - THE ADVOCACY OF JESUS’ LOVE
PROPITIATION
“Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die? Since death is the
punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power
and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By his substitutionary atoning
death (propitiation), he alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgiveness
of sin, righteousness, and everlasting life.” - The New City Catechism, question 24
“The doctrine of…propitiation is precisely this: that God loved the objects of his
wrath so much that he gave his own Son to the end that he, by his blood, should
make provision for the removal of his wrath. It was Christ’s so to deal with the
wrath that the ‘loved’ would no longer be the objects of wrath, and love would
achieve it’s aim of making the children of ‘wrath’ the children of God’s good
pleasure.”  
- John Murray, The Atonement
1. What do we learn about John’s heart for the church by the way he addresses them
(“My little children”)?
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2. What is John’s hope for Christians as he writes this letter according to 1 John 2:1?
John says it in the negative; how could it be said in the positive?
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3. What does John mean in verse 1 by saying Christians “have an advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”? What does this tell us about the significance of
Jesus’ ascension to Heaven?
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4. What does John mean when he writes in verse 2, “He is the propitiation for our
sins”? How do Romans 3:25 and Hebrews 2:17 help clarify?
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5. What is John getting at in verse 3-5?
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6. How would you explain to your friends that obedience, as the Bible describes it, is
not a kill-joy, but something that actually produces joy?
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7. What is the relationship between obedience and assurance for the Christian? Does
John mean that we should trust in our performance to know whether or not we are
in Christ?
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8. What does John mean when he writes, “whoever says he abides in [Jesus] ought to
walk in the same way in which he walked” in verse 5?
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9. What does it mean to abide or remain in Christ? Read John 15:1-10 to help clarify.
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10. How is John’s command to love one another both old and new? How does this give
weight to John’s argument?
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11. What are some examples of love that you see throughout the Scriptures? How is
Jesus the perfect example of love for one another?
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12. What does John mean when he writes in 1 John 2:8, “The darkness is passing away
and the true light is already shining”?
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14. Why is hatred for a brother contrary to love for God? What does such hatred expose
about our hearts?
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15. How can you live out love for others in such a way that reveals your knowledge of
and love for God?
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JESUS, OUR ADVOCATE

“Of what advantage to us is Christ’s ascension? Christ physically ascended on
our behalf, just as he came down to earth physically on our account, and he is
now advocating for us in the presence of his Father, preparing a place for us,
and also sends us his Spirit.”  
“How shall we understand [Jesus’] present work for us in heaven?
Surely the answer is that Christ is our attorney and his portfolio is his
propitiation. He stands before his Father in heaven, and every time we sin, he
doesn't make a new propitiation. He doesn't die again and again. Instead he
opens his portfolio and lays the exhibits of Good Friday on the bench before the
Judge. Photographs of the crown of thorns, the lashing, the mocking soldiers,
the agonies of the cross, and the final cry of victory: It is finished.
The advocacy of Christ and the propitiation of Christ are part of one saving
work, because the portfolio of Christ the advocate is Christ the propitiator. What
he pleads on our behalf in heaven is the ongoing effects of his own death. And
John (in 1 John 2:1-2) means for this double role of Christ to keep us from
despairing when we fall into sin.”  
- John Piper, Jesus Christ Is an Advocate for Sinners
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Study 4
1 JOHN 2:12-17 - THE TRIUMPH OF JESUS’ LOVE
JESUS, THE REDEEMING RENEWER

“What else does Christ’s death redeem? Christ’s death is the beginning of the
redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as he powerfully directs
all things for his own glory and creation’s good.” - The New City Catechism,
question 26
“Jesus is a Redeemer, that is his name; he came into the world on this very
business, to redeem his people, to redeem them from all iniquity (Titus 2: 14),
from this present evil world, from our vain conversations. He hath shed his
precious blood to purchase us, we are bought with a price (1 Cor. 6: 20). We are
none of our own, we are his, the purchase of his blood; and we may be
confident that he dearly loves us, for he dearly bought us; and if he had not
dearly loved us, he would never have given himself for us (Gal. 2:20). That was
the highest testimony of his love; he loved us, and washed us from our sins in
his blood (Rev. 1:5). He will redeem us from the wrath to come.”  
- John Bunyan
1. What does John say is true of all God’s children in verses 12 and the end of 13 and
what does he mean?
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2. Why is it important to reflect on what we have in Christ, as John does in this

section?
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3. What does John say is true of all fathers (those who are older) in verses 13-14 and
what does he mean?
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4. What does John say is true of all young men in verses 13-14 and what does he
mean?
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5. In what sense do Christians have “victory over the evil one”? How does this give
you encouragement and hope?
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6. How should we understand what John means by “the world” in verse 15, according
to his own clarification in verse 16?
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7. In light of verse 16, what is John getting at in verse 15? What’s another way you
could say the same thing John is saying?
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8. How should we understand what John means by “the world” in verse 15, according
to his own clarification in verse 16? What are some ways that worldliness is often
misunderstood?
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9. How does John’s negative definition of “the world” help us see how great the
gospel is according to John 3:16?
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10. Spend some time reflecting on “the lusts of the flesh," “the desires of the eyes,” and
“pride in possessions.” Read 1 Peter 2:11. What serious things can you do to
abstain from “the world” which wage war against your soul?
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11. How does Jesus set an example for how to resist each of these temptations? How
does he do it in Matthew 4 when tempted by Satan?
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12. John argues that the pleasures of this world are fleeting. How do you see this in
today’s culture? In your own life?
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DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD

“Nobody buys stock in a company that is sure to go bankrupt. Nobody sets up
house in a sinking ship. No reasonable person would lay up treasure where moth
and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal, would they? The world is
passing away! To set your heart on it is only asking for heartache and misery in
the end.
That’s not all: Not only is the world passing away, but also the lusts of it. If you
share the desires of the world, you will pass away. You will not only lose your
treasure. You will lose your life. If you love the world, it will pass away and take
you with it. “The world passes away and the lust of it.”  
- John Piper, Do Not Love the World
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Study 5
1 JOHN 2:18-27 - THE ANOINTING OF JESUS’ LOVE
THE LAST HOUR

“The last hour began with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (cf. Heb.
1:2); his second coming could occur at any time (Acts 2:17; 1 Corinthians 7:29–
31; 2 Timothy 3:1).” - The ESV Study Bible, 1 John 2:18 note
1. What does John mean when he writes, “It is the last hour” in verse 18? How does
Hebrews 1:1-3 help clarify?
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2. In the simplest terms, what should the words “antichrist” and “antichrists” bring to
mind in verse 18? How does John define a way to spot one who is antichrist,
according to verse 22?
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3. Why do some who profess to be Christians end up walking away from Jesus and
His church, according to verse 19? When they “went out” what becomes “plain”?
How does Philippians 1:6 help clarify.
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4. Why do true Christians never ultimately fall away from Jesus and his Church,
according to verse 20? *Hint: look for the word “but” and what follows
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5. What does John mean when he writes, “you have been anointed by the Holy One”?
How do Isaiah 61:1 and 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 help clarify?
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7. What does John mean, concerning false teachings, that “you have no need that
anyone should teach you” in verse 27?
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8. What is the role of human teachers in the church, since all believers have been
given the Spirit of God? *Hint: remember how John repeated in various forms “what
you have heard from the beginning”
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9. What is John getting at in the second half of verse 27, beginning with “but as his
anointing…”? How does Jude 3 help clarify?
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ANOINTED
“‘Anointed by the Holy One’ probably means being regenerated by the Holy
Spirit. In the Old Testament, physical anointing with oil (Exodus 28:41; 1 Samuel
16:13) was an outward sign of the inward transforming and empowering work of
the Holy Spirit (see Isaiah 61:1 and 2 Corinthians 1:21).” - The ESV Study Bible, 1
John 2:20 note
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Study 6
1 JOHN 2:28-3:10 - THE CONFIDENCE OF JESUS’ LOVE
ADOPTION
“The doctrine of Adoption means that the true and living God, the Creator of the
heavens and the earth, by grace has made believers members of his family with
all the rights and responsibilities that go with that status.”  
- Gavin Ortlund, Adopted by the Living God
“If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how
much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his
Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and
prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand
Christianity very well at all. . . . ‘Father’ is the Christian name for God.” - J.I.
Packer, Knowing God
1. In light of what we’ve seen in 1 John so far, what does John mean when he writes,
“Abide in him” in verse 28? Why is “abiding” important in the Christian life? How is
abiding different from “getting saved”?
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2. What is the result of Christians who “abide in him” according to the second half of
verse 28? How do you think you will react when you first see Jesus revealed in all
His glory? What are some things that might cause someone to be ashamed at His
appearing?
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3. What is John getting at in verse 29? How could you say the same thing in a
different way?
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4. How can we clearly see “what kind of love the Father has given to us” in 1 John
3:1?
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5. Why do you think John writes, “and so we are” in verse 1?
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6. What does John mean when he writes, “the reason why the world does not know us
is that it did not know him”? How does John 15:18 help clarify?
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7. What is John getting at in verse 2? How does Philippians 3:20-21 help clarify?
______________________________________________________________________________
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8. What is John getting at in verse 3? How should the promise of seeing Jesus in the
future inspire Christians to live holy lives here and now? Why is seeking to live a holy
life the natural response to hope of the gospel?
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9. How does John define sin in verse 4? How does the Bible’s definition of sin help us
understand the gospel?
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10. Why did Jesus appear according to verse 5 and what does John mean?
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11. What is John not getting at in verses 6-10? What is he getting at? *Hint: notice the
words “makes a practice” in verses 8-9. How does 1 John 2:1 help clarify?
______________________________________________________________________________
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12. What is the Devil’s work, according to verse 8? How does Jesus’ work “destroy the
works of the Devil”?
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13. How is it evident who are children of God and who are children of the Devil,
according to verse 10?
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GLORIFICATION
“What does Christ’s resurrection mean for us? Christ triumphed over sin and
death by being physically resurrected, so that all who trust in him are raised to
new life in this world and to everlasting life in the world to come. Just as we will
one day be resurrected, so this world will one day be restored. But those who
do not trust in Christ will be raised to everlasting death.”  
“The whole creation will have been delivered from the bondage of corruption
and will be enjoying “the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Rom. 8: 21).
Everything will be glorified, even nature itself. And that seems to me to be the
biblical teaching about the eternal state: that what we call heaven is life in this
perfect world as God intended humanity to live it. When He put Adam in
Paradise at the beginning Adam fell, and all fell with him, but men and women
are meant to live in the body, and will live in a glorified body in a glorified world,
and God will be with them.” - Martyn Lloyd-Jones
33
Study 7
1 JOHN 3:11-18 - THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS’ LOVE
THE FINAL FORM OF HATE

“Think how we feel when we see someone we love ravaged by unwise actions or
relationships. Do we respond with benign tolerance as we might toward
strangers? Far from it…Anger isn’t the opposite of love. Hate is, and the final
form of hate is indifference.” - Becky Pippert, Hope Has it’s Reasons
1. What does John getting at in verse 11? How does John 13:35 help clarify?
______________________________________________________________________________
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2. How does John use Cain (Genesis 4:1-16) to exhort his readers to love in verse 12?
How is the world like Cain?
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3. Why should we not be surprised “that the world hates you” as John writes in verse
13?
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4. What is John getting at in verse 14? How could the same thing be said in different
words?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. In what sense are “murder” and “hate” that John writes about in verse 15 the same
thing?
______________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. How do we know what love is, according to verse 16? How would you define love,
given what John says here? Why does the love of Jesus compel us to especially
love other Christians?
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______________________________________________________________________________
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7. How does John show us that love is far more than just a feeling in verses 17-18?
______________________________________________________________________________
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WHAT LOVE IS
“Love is willing self-sacrifice for the good of another that does not require
reciprocation or that the person being loved is deserving.
Christ was willing to go to the cross and carry our sin precisely because there
was nothing that we could ever do to earn, achieve, or deserve the love of God. If
you are interested only in loving people who are deserving, the reality is that you
are not motivated by love for them but by love for yourself. Love does its best
work when the other person is undeserving. It is in these moments that love is
most needed. It is in these moments that love is protective and preventative. It
stays the course while refusing to quit or to get down and get dirty and give way
to things that are anything but love.” - Paul Tripp, What Did You Expect?
36
 
Study 8
1 JOHN 3:19-24 - THE GREATNESS OF JESUS’ LOVE

GOD IS PLEASED WITH YOUR OBEDIENCE, CHRISTIAN
“It is terribly confusing when people say that the only righteousness that has any
value is the imputed righteousness of Christ. I agree that justification is not
grounded on any of our righteousness, but only the righteousness of Christ
imputed to us. But sometimes people are careless and speak disparagingly of all
human righteousness, as if there were no such thing that pleased God. They
often cite Isaiah 64:6, which says our righteousness is as filthy rags. . . [But]
when my sons do what I tell them to do—I do not call their obedience ‘filthy
rags’ even if it is not perfect. Neither does God. All the more because he himself
is ‘working in us that which is pleasing in his sight’ (Hebrews 13:21). He does
not call his own, Spirit-wrought fruit, ‘rags.’”  
- John Piper, Future Grace
“The person of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works are
also accepted in him; not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable
and unreproveable in God’s sight; but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is
pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied by
many weaknesses and imperfections.” - The Westminster Confession of Faith,
16.6
1. What do you think John is getting at in verses 19-20? Where should we ultimately
look for confidence?
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2. What do you think John means when he writes, “God is greater than our heart” in
verse 20?
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3. What do you think John does not mean about prayer in verse 21-22? What do you
think he does mean? How does James 4:2-3 help clarify?
______________________________________________________________________________
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4. What does God command of us, according to verse 23? What does it mean to
“believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ”? How do John 1:12 and Acts 10:43
help clarify?
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______________________________________________________________________________
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5. What does “abiding in him” consist of according to the first part of verse 24?
______________________________________________________________________________
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6. How do we God abides in us according to the second half of verse 24? How does
Romans 8:15-16 help clarify?
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WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF JESUS
“What is faith in Jesus Christ? Faith in Jesus Christ is acknowledging the truth of
everything that God has revealed in his Word, trusting in him, and also receiving
and resting on him alone for salvation as he is offered to us in the gospel.”  
“Upon the whole, the best, and clearest, and most perfect definition of justifying
faith, and most according to the Scripture, that I can think of, is this, faith is the
soul’s entirely embracing the revelation of Jesus Christ as our Saviour. The word
embrace is a metaphorical expression; but I think it is much clearer than any
proper expression whatsoever; it is called believing, because believing is the first
act of the soul in embracing a narration or revelation: and embracing, when
conversant about a revelation or thing declared, is more properly called
believing, than loving or choosing. If it were conversant about a person only, it
would be more properly called loving. If it were conversant about a gift, an
inheritance, or reward, it would more properly be called receiving or accepting.”
- Jonathan Edwards
39
Study 9
1 JOHN 4:1-6 - THE PROTECTION OF JESUS’ LOVE

FALSE PROPHETS
“The Bible has a great deal to say about false teachers and false prophets. In
the Old Testament, prophets whose prophecies turned out to be false were to be
put to death. According to the New Testament, they are to be exposed, removed
from the church, and no longer even to be greeted by believers.
The Apostle Paul warned Timothy that some with ‘itching ears’ would
'accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.’ [2 Timothy 4:3]
He warned Titus of those who would upset the church and its families by
‘teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.’ [Titus 1:11] Peter’s
words to the church are especially directed to the rise of false teachers: ‘But
false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers
among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the
Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.’ [2 Peter
2:1]
For this reason, James warned, ‘Not many of you should become teachers, my
brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.'
[James 3:1]
Those are sober words, and false teachers are in real trouble. That was true in
the first century as the church began, and it is certainly true now. The difference
now is the velocity with which false teachings can be disseminated. Today’s
church cannot remain faithful if it tolerates false teachers and leaves their
teachings uncorrected and unconfronted.” - Albert Mohler, False Prophets, False
Teachers, and Real Trouble
1. Why is it important to remember, “many false prophets have gone out into the
world”? How do you think we are to, according to verse 1, “test the spirits to see
whether they are from God” according to verse 6? *Hint: when John says “We” in
verse 6, he is most likely speaking of the Apostles who authoritatively spoke/wrote for
Jesus to the churches.
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2. What is one clear and simple way to spot a false prophet/antichrist, according to
verse 2-3?
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3. When is it appropriate to call out false prophets? How can pastors be rigorous to
protect the flock without spending all their time simply exposing other people?
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4. What do you think John is getting at in verse 4?
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5. What do you think John is getting at in verse 5? Try and restate the same thing with
different words.
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______________________________________________________________________________
6. What is John getting at in verse 6? Why is it important to listen to the Prophets and
Apostles, according to verse 6? What does this mean for those who refuse to pay
careful attention to what the Bible says?
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APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY
“[An Apostle is] one chosen and sent with a special commission as the fully
authorized representative of the sender. By calling the twelve men whom He
chose out of the wider circle of disciples by the name ‘apostles’ and not merely
‘messengers’ or ‘heralds,’ Jesus thus made it clear that they were to be His
delegates whom He would send with the commission to teach and to act in His
name and on His authority. That this was indeed what He meant is shown by the
whole history of His dealings with the Twelve.” - Norval Geldenhuys, Supreme
Authority: The Authority of the Lord, His Apostles and the New Testament
42
Study 10
1 JOHN 4:7-21 - THE POWER OF JESUS’ LOVE

KNOWING GOD
“Knowing God is a matter of personal dealing, as is all direct acquaintance with
personal beings. Knowing God is more than knowing about him; it is a matter of
dealing with him as he opens up to you, and being dealt with by him as he takes
knowledge of you. Knowing about him is a necessary precondition of trusting in
him (‘how could they have faith in one they had never heard of?’ [Romans 10:4
NEB]), but the width of our knowledge about him is no gauge of the depth of our
knowledge of him.
John Owen and John Calvin knew more theology than John Bunyan or Billy
Bray, but who would deny that the latter pair knew their God every bit as well as
the former? (All four, of course, were beavers for the Bible, which counts for far
more anyway than a formal theological training.) If the decisive factor was
notional correctness, then obviously the most learned biblical scholars would
know God better than anyone else. But it is not; you can have all the right
notions in your head without ever tasting in your heart the realities to which they
refer; and a simple Bible-reader and sermon-hearer who is full of the Holy Spirit
will develop a far deeper acquaintance with his God and Saviour than a more
learned scholar who is content with being theologically correct. The reason is
that the former will deal with God regarding the practical application of truth to
his life, whereas the latter will not.” - J.I. Packer, Knowing God
1. What does John not mean in verse 7, given the definition of love in 1 John 3:16?
What does he mean?
______________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the difference between knowing about God and knowing God (verses 7-8)?
What is a test for whether or not someone actually knows God, according to verses
7-8?
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3. What does John mean when writes, “God is love” in verse 8? Is this the sum total of
God? What is the danger if we minimize our understanding of God to only one
attribute?
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4. How has God “made manifest among us” his love, according to verse 9?
______________________________________________________________________________
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5. How do we know what truly loving someone looks like according to verse 10? What,
again, does it mean that Jesus is “the propitiation for our sins”?
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6. What do you think John is getting at in verses 11-12?
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7. According to verses 13-16, what evidences are given for knowing that we “abide in
[God] and he in us”?
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8. In verse 16, John writes, “So we have come to know and believe the love that God
has for us.” What external evidence do we have that God loves us, according to 1
John 4:10? What internal evidence do we have that God loves us, according to
Romans 5:5?
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9. What do you think John is getting at in verses 17-18?
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10. What does verse 19 tell us about why we even love God at all? What does this
reveal about the gospel?
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11. Though John has already made many statements like this, why do you think he
writes, again, what he does in verses 20-21?
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THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

“What happens after death to those not united to Christ by faith? At the day of
judgment they will receive the fearful but just sentence of condemnation
pronounced against them. They will be cast out from the favorable presence of
God, into hell, to be justly and grievously punished, forever.” - The New City
Catechism, question 28
“Painful as the subject of hell is, it is one about which I dare not, cannot, must
not be silent. Who would desire to speak of hell-fire if God had not spoken of it?
When God has spoken of it so plainly, who can safely hold his peace? . . . I
know that some do not believe there is any hell at all. They think it impossible
there can be such a place. They call it inconsistent with the mercy of God. They
say it is too awful an idea to be really true. The devil of course rejoices in the
views of such people. They help his kingdom mightily. They are preaching up his
old favourite doctrine, ‘ye shall not surely die.’ . . . There is but one point to be
settled, ‘what says the word of God.’ Do you believe the Bible? Then depend
upon it, hell is real and true. It is as true as heaven— as true as justification by
faith— as true as the fact that Christ died upon the cross— as true as the Dead
Sea. There is not a fact or doctrine which you may not lawfully doubt if you
doubt hell. Disbelieve hell, and you unscrew, unsettle, and unpin everything in
Scripture. You may as well throw your Bible aside at once. From ‘no hell’ to ‘no
God’ there is but a series of steps.” - J.C. Ryle, Consider Your Ways
46
Study 11
1 JOHN 5:1-5 - THE LIFE OF JESUS’ LOVE

*Slavery to sin vs. Slavery to righteousness (Rom. 6)*
NEW BIRTH; REGENERATION; BEING BORN AGAIN

“Regeneration is the divine work of God the Holy Spirit upon the minds and
souls of fallen people, by which the Spirit quickens those who are spiritually
dead and makes them spiritually alive. This supernatural work rescues that
person from his bondage to sin and his moral inability to incline himself towards
the things of God. Regeneration, by being a supernatural work, is obviously a
work that cannot be accomplished by natural man on his own. If it were a
natural work, it would not require the intervention of God the Holy Spirit.” - R.C.
Sproul, The New Birth
“What happens in the new birth? I will try to put the answer in three
statements. . . (1) What happens in the new birth is not getting new religion but
getting new life. (2) What happens in the new birth is not merely affirming the
supernatural in Jesus but experiencing the supernatural in yourself. (3) What
happens in the new birth is not the improvement of your old human nature but
the creation of a new human nature — a nature that is really you, and is forgiven
and cleansed; and a nature that is really new, and is being formed by the
indwelling Spirit of God.” - John Piper, What Happens in The New Birth?
1. What does the first half of verse 1 tell us about why someone comes to believe
Jesus is the Christ?
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2. What does John have to say in the second half of verse 1 about those who claim to
love God but are indifferent toward the church?
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3. According to verse 2, what is a sure way to “love children of God” (i.e. other
Christians)?
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4. According to the first half of verse 3, what is a sure way to love God? How does
John 14:15 help clarify?
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5. What do we learn about the commandments of God, for Christians, in the second
half of verse 3? How does Deuteronomy 30:11-14 help clarify?
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6. How does clarify what he means by “the world” in 1 John 1:15-17? Why do
Christians “overcome the world” according to the first part of verse 4? How do
Christians “overcome the world” according to the end of verse 4 and the whole of
verse 5?
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CHRISTIANS, SLAVES TO RIGHTEOUSNESS

“In Jesus, we are no longer under the law, but that does not mean lawlessness.
Freedom from the law is liberty from sin’s dominion and the law’s condemnation
(Rom. 6:14). To not be under the law means we are not under the old covenant,
an era of disobedience. . .
Practically speaking, this means freedom from slavery to the law (and therefore
sin) is slavery to obedience and righteousness (Rom. 6:16–19). Paul explores
this truth in [Romans 6], noting that those who are in Christ have Him as their
master now, and their obedience to Him leads to righteousness and life. Let us
be clear—the Apostle is not saying that we earn our redemption. Nothing we
can do, even with God’s help, is good enough to secure our place in the
kingdom. . . Our justification gives us the kingdom citizenship that cannot be
lost, and as we live in Christ, the Lord begins to make us godly even now in
preparation for the perfect godliness we will enjoy in the age to come. John
Calvin comments, ‘We are not freed from the bondage of the law that we may
sin; for the law does not lose its dominion, until the grace of God restores us to
him, in order to renew us in righteousness: and it is hence impossible that we
should be subject to sin, when the grace of God reigns in us.’”
- R.C Sproul, Slaves to Righteousness
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Study 12
1 JOHN 5:6-12 - THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS’ LOVE

THE INTERNAL TESTIMONY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
“The testimony of the Spirit is more excellent than all reason. For as God alone
is a fit witness of Himself in His Word, so also the Word will not find acceptance
in men’s hearts before it is sealed by the inward testimony of the Spirit. The
same Spirit therefore who has spoken through the mouths of the prophets must
penetrate into our hearts to persuade us that they faithfully proclaimed what had
been divinely commanded…because until He illumines their minds, they ever
waver among many doubts! . . .
Therefore illumined by [the Spirit’s] power, we believe neither by our own nor
by anyone else’s judgment that Scripture is from God; but above human
judgment we affirm with utter certainty (just as if we were gazing upon the
majesty of God Himself) that it has flowed to us from the very mouth of God by
the ministry of men.”
- John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion
1. What do you think John means that Jesus came by “water and the blood” in verse
6 especially regarding God giving testimony to the truth of Jesus? How does Mark
1:9-11 and Mark 15:39 help clarify?
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2. What do you think John means when he writes, “And the Spirit is the one who
testifies” in the second half of verse 6? How do John 16:8-10 and 1 Corinthians
2:9-12 help clarify?
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3. What do you think John is getting at in verse 9?
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4. Why does someone believe in Jesus for salvation, according to the first half of
verse 10? If someone does not believe the testimony of God, what does he say
about God according to the second half of verse 10?
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5. What is this testimony of God according to verse 11?
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6. How does John show us verse 12 the necessity of “having the Son”? How can we
“have the Son”?
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ETERNAL LIFE
“What hope does everlasting life hold for us? It reminds us that this present
fallen world is not all there is; soon we will live with and enjoy God forever in the
new city, in the new heaven and the new earth, where we will be fully and forever
freed from all sin and will inhabit renewed, resurrection bodies in a renewed,
restored creation.” - The New City Catechism, question 52
“Let us settle it then in our minds, for one thing, that the future happiness of
those who are saved is eternal. However little we may understand it, it is
something which will have no end: it will never cease, never grow old, never
decay, never die. At God’s “right hand are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11).
Once landed in paradise, the saints of God shall go out no more. The inheritance
is “incorruptible, undefiled, and fadeth not away.” They shall “receive a crown of
glory that fadeth not away” (1 Pet. 1: 4; 5: 4). Their warfare is accomplished;
their fight is over; their work is done. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst
any more. They are travelling on towards an “eternal weight of glory,” towards a
home which shall never be broken up, a meeting without a parting, a family
gathering without a separation, a day without night. Faith shall be swallowed up
in sight, and hope in certainty. They shall see as they have been seen, and know
as they have been known, and “be for ever with the Lord.” I do not wonder that
the apostle Paul adds, “Comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess 4:17–
18).” - J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion
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Study 13
1 JOHN 5:13-21 - THE ASSURANCE OF JESUS’ LOVE

THE HIDDEN WILL OF GOD AND THE REVEALED WILL OF GOD
“We must consider the various ways that the Word of God speaks of the will of
the Lord, and one particularly important aspect of this instruction is the
distinction between the hidden will of God and the revealed will of God. We find
this distinction made in [this] passage: “The secret things belong to the LORD
our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children
forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). Our
Creator has revealed some things to us about His plans, attributes, and
character, but He has not told us everything…
God’s revealed will is also known as His will of precept (or preceptive will)
because it contains His commandments or precepts. This will tells us what is
pleasing to the Lord in and of itself, and it reflects His eternal holy character
(Psalm 119:105; 143:10). If we want to please God, this revealed will must be
our guide.
Understanding this distinction can give us great peace as we seek God’s will
in particular circumstances. We need not worry excessively that we are not
where the Lord wants us or that we will fail to be where the Lord wants us, for
our future will work out according to the secret will of the Lord, and we know
God has good plans for His people (Jeremiah 29:11). All we need to concern
ourselves with is our Creator’s revealed will. As long as we seek to obey Him, we
can do what is pleasing to Him wherever we are.” - R.C. Sproul, God’s Will, Hidden
and Revealed
1. What is the first reason John gives for “[writing] these things to [us]” according to
the first half of verse 13?
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2. What is the second reason, which proceeds from the first, John gives for “[writing]
these things to [us]” according to the second half of verse 13? What does this show
us about John’s pastoral heart for Christians?
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3. What level of confidence should we have going to God the Father in prayer
according to verses 14-15? Does this mean we have to have God’s will for the
future figured out before we pray? If not, was does John mean when he writes,
“according to his will” at the end of verse 14?
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4. What is John getting at when he writes, “sin not leading to death” and “sin that
leads to death” in verses 16-17?
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______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. How does verse 16 encourage us to pray for the holiness of other Christian
brothers and sisters?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Who is John talking about when he writes, “everyone who has been born of God” in
the first part of verse 18? Who is John talking about when he writes, “but he who
was born of God protects him” in the second part of verse 18?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
54
7. How does it bring comfort to your soul to realize Jesus protects you as a Christian,
and, ultimately, the evil one cannot touch you, according to verse 18?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
8. How is verse 19 both an encouragement for Christians and also motivation to tell
others the gospel and plead with them to trust Jesus?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
9. According to the entire letter of 1 John, what would you say is this “understanding”
John writes that “the Son of God have given us” in the first part of verse 20? What
does this understanding lead to, according to the second part of verse 20?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
10. What does John proclaim about Jesus’ identity at the very end of verse 20?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
55
11. In what way is verse 21 a summary of John’s entire letter?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
SIN THAT LEADS TO DEATH

“[1 John 5:16] is a very difficult passage, primarily because it is not exactly
clear what exactly John means by the sin leading to death. The death spoken of
refers to eternal death; thus, it seems likely John understands there to be at
least one unforgiveable sin. Various possibilities for this sin have been
suggested, such as the unpardonable blasphemy of the Holy Spirit mentioned
by Jesus Himself (Mark 3:28–30). Others mention a persistent refusal to hear the
Gospel. While it is difficult to be sure, these various possibilities cannot be
strictly separated. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is commonly understood as a
conscious denial of His work in the ministry of Jesus even when the person
making such a denial knows better. Final apostasy certainly would qualify in this
category, for apostasy can be committed only by those who have some
knowledge of truth already. Such blasphemy would naturally result in a heart
unwilling to respond in faith to the Gospel.
John’s apparent implication that a brother can commit this sin does not mean it
is possible for an elect child of God to fall away. The term “brother” can be used
of any professing Christian, whether or not the person has saving faith. Clearly
John knows that true believers will not commit the sin that leads to death.
Though we may sin, believers will not persist in unrepentant sin that leads to a
final hardening of the heart (1 John 5:18).” - R.C. Sproul, Sin That Leads to Death
56
FINAL QUESTION: Look back through the entire letter and all of your answers. What
was new? What was convicting? What was encouraging?
NEW: ________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
CONVICTING: ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
ENCOURAGING: ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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2

1-3 John by Robert W. Yarbrough

The Letter of John by Colin G. Cruse

Technical but Accessible

1-3 John by Douglas Sean O’Donnell

Exalting Jesus in 1, 2, 3 John by Daniel Akin

1, 2, 3 John by John Calvin and Matthew Henry

Study 0 - INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW - 8

Study 1 - THE JOY OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 1:1-4 - 11

Study 2 - THE LIGHT OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 1:5-10 - 14

Study 3 - THE ADVOCACY OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 2:1-11 - 18

Study 4 - THE TRIUMPH OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 2:12-17 - 23

Study 5 - THE ANOINTING OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 2:18-27 - 27

Study 6 - THE CONFIDENCE OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 2:28-3:10 - 30

Study 7 - THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 3:11-18 - 34

Study 8 - THE GREATNESS OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 3:19-24 - 37

Study 9 - THE PROTECTION OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 4:1-6 - 40

Study 10 - THE POWER OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 4:7-21 - 43

Study 11 - THE LIFE OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 5:1-5 - 47

Study 12 - THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 5:6-12 - 50

Study 13 - THE ASSURANCE OF JESUS’ LOVE: 1 John 5:13-21 - 53

INTRODUCTION TO THE AUTHOR AND HIS LETTER

In short, Jesus loved John.

1 JOHN 1:1-4 - THE JOY OF JESUS’ LOVE

1 JOHN 1:5-10 - THE LIGHT OF JESUS’ LOVE

6. What is John getting at in verse 6?

8. What is John getting at in verse 7?

9. What is John getting at in verse 8?

JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION

1 JOHN 2:1-11 - THE ADVOCACY OF JESUS’ LOVE

5. What is John getting at in verse 3-5?

13. What is John getting at in verses 10-11?

JESUS, OUR ADVOCATE

1 JOHN 2:12-17 - THE TRIUMPH OF JESUS’ LOVE

JESUS, THE REDEEMING RENEWER

2. Why is it important to reflect on what we have in Christ, as John does in this

DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD

1 JOHN 2:18-27 - THE ANOINTING OF JESUS’ LOVE

THE LAST HOUR

6. What is John getting at in verses 23-25?

1 JOHN 2:28-3:10 - THE CONFIDENCE OF JESUS’ LOVE

5. Why do you think John writes, “and so we are” in verse 1?

1 JOHN 3:11-18 - THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS’ LOVE

THE FINAL FORM OF HATE

1 JOHN 3:19-24 - THE GREATNESS OF JESUS’ LOVE

1 JOHN 4:1-6 - THE PROTECTION OF JESUS’ LOVE

4. What do you think John is getting at in verse 4?

1 JOHN 4:7-21 - THE POWER OF JESUS’ LOVE

6. What do you think John is getting at in verses 11-12?

9. What do you think John is getting at in verses 17-18?

THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

1 JOHN 5:1-5 - THE LIFE OF JESUS’ LOVE

NEW BIRTH; REGENERATION; BEING BORN AGAIN

CHRISTIANS, SLAVES TO RIGHTEOUSNESS

- R.C Sproul, Slaves to Righteousness

1 JOHN 5:6-12 - THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS’ LOVE

- John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion

5. What is this testimony of God according to verse 11?

1 JOHN 5:13-21 - THE ASSURANCE OF JESUS’ LOVE

SIN THAT LEADS TO DEATH

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