Walking in the Light: 1 John 4:7-21
These questions are written to be used during our house church meetings. If you find yourself unable or attend a gathering this week we encourage you to use these questions at home to sink more deeply into this series.
Background Information: This is the first of 3 letters that are written by the apostle John, one of Jesus’ chosen 12 disciples. He is identified as the elder, and is overseeing a network of house churches made up mostly of Jewish followers of Jesus. John wrote this in roughly 90 AD when he was the last living original disciple/apostle of Jesus. During this time, the church is going through a crisis of people breaking off these churches and no longer acknowledging Jesus as messiah or son of God and are causing hostility among those who remain in the church. Gnosticism, a teaching and thought that greatly varied from the gospel of Jesus, had begun to set its roots in the church and taught that it is about what you know not who you know. It emphasized that salvation comes through knowledge. It also taught that things physical are evil therefore Jesus did not have a physical body, he was a phantom spirit. Since only the spirit matters, anything you do physically doesn’t matter. John writes this letter to call Christians back to truth, obedience, and devotion.
Opening Question: How do you think most people you know define the word love?
Read and Reflect: Read 1 John 4:7-21
Take a moment to get your bearings; look at the surrounding stories by reading the subtitles around this week’s passage. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or definitions for new words and ideas. Listening to other translations of the Bible can both clarify and enrich the meanings of these readings.
Discussion:
1. What is your initial reaction to what is happening in this passage(s)? What questions do you have?
2. John stresses God's love as the basis of our love (4:10). Why is it important to see God's love as the basis of our love for Him and how does impact our assurance of his promises to us?
4. Thinking about your response to the opening question and the discussion since, how do most people's notions of love differ from what Scripture teaches about God's love?
Go Deeper: (optional for the group or to reflect on personally at home)
5. In 4:7, John speaks of Christians as those who are "born of God" and refers to the new spiritual brith we receive from the Holy Spirit. What does John also say about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives in relation to God's love?
Prayer:
Pray for the families in your house church and the people on your Top Five cards.
Announcements:
Next week is another dinner and discussion, read 1 John 5:1-12 and write down any thoughts or questions that come up.
During the month of June, all House Churches will gather together at the Henson's home for House Church Summer Sessions to learn and grow through the teaching series, Rooted. Each week the the Henson's will provide the main course and a different House Church will help bring sides, drinks and desserts to share for the meal.
May 28th is a baptism Sunday!! After the service we will celebrate with a taco lunch, sign up at the link to bring a side, drinks, or dessert. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094aabaf2ba0fbce9-baptism#/
Check out our previous sermons in the app.
Background Information: This is the first of 3 letters that are written by the apostle John, one of Jesus’ chosen 12 disciples. He is identified as the elder, and is overseeing a network of house churches made up mostly of Jewish followers of Jesus. John wrote this in roughly 90 AD when he was the last living original disciple/apostle of Jesus. During this time, the church is going through a crisis of people breaking off these churches and no longer acknowledging Jesus as messiah or son of God and are causing hostility among those who remain in the church. Gnosticism, a teaching and thought that greatly varied from the gospel of Jesus, had begun to set its roots in the church and taught that it is about what you know not who you know. It emphasized that salvation comes through knowledge. It also taught that things physical are evil therefore Jesus did not have a physical body, he was a phantom spirit. Since only the spirit matters, anything you do physically doesn’t matter. John writes this letter to call Christians back to truth, obedience, and devotion.
Opening Question: How do you think most people you know define the word love?
Read and Reflect: Read 1 John 4:7-21
Take a moment to get your bearings; look at the surrounding stories by reading the subtitles around this week’s passage. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or definitions for new words and ideas. Listening to other translations of the Bible can both clarify and enrich the meanings of these readings.
Discussion:
1. What is your initial reaction to what is happening in this passage(s)? What questions do you have?
2. John stresses God's love as the basis of our love (4:10). Why is it important to see God's love as the basis of our love for Him and how does impact our assurance of his promises to us?
- "While in any culture various definitions of love vie for acceptance, for John's readers there is a central and defining image: Christ's death for others." - Robert W. Yarbrough
4. Thinking about your response to the opening question and the discussion since, how do most people's notions of love differ from what Scripture teaches about God's love?
Go Deeper: (optional for the group or to reflect on personally at home)
5. In 4:7, John speaks of Christians as those who are "born of God" and refers to the new spiritual brith we receive from the Holy Spirit. What does John also say about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives in relation to God's love?
Prayer:
Pray for the families in your house church and the people on your Top Five cards.
Announcements:
Next week is another dinner and discussion, read 1 John 5:1-12 and write down any thoughts or questions that come up.
During the month of June, all House Churches will gather together at the Henson's home for House Church Summer Sessions to learn and grow through the teaching series, Rooted. Each week the the Henson's will provide the main course and a different House Church will help bring sides, drinks and desserts to share for the meal.
- 6/7 - Sugar Land
- 6/14 - Richmond
- 6/21 - North Katy
- 6/28 - West Katy
May 28th is a baptism Sunday!! After the service we will celebrate with a taco lunch, sign up at the link to bring a side, drinks, or dessert. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094aabaf2ba0fbce9-baptism#/
Check out our previous sermons in the app.
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