7: Beloved Children of God (2) (1Jn 3:11-24)
The Basics
Setting
In the previous study, we
contemplated on the marvelous love of God, who has called us His children. We
also learned that those who are born of God do not live in sin. They practice
righteousness in the likeness of the Father who has given them birth. In this
study, we will look at how the children of God also live a life of love.
Key Verse
“By this we know love, because He
laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the
brethren” (3:16).
Observation
Outline
(3:11-15)
(3:16-18)
(3:19-24)
Key Words/Phrases
General Analysis
1. Go
through the entire passage and record the reasons for loving our brothers and
sisters.
Segment Analysis
3:11-15
1. Do we sometimes have an attitude like that of Cain? What
causes such an attitude?
2. What is the “world” in verse 13?
3. What kind of life and death does verse 14 refer to?
4. Why is hatred equivalent to murder?
3:16-18
5a. How should we lay down our lives for
our brethren?
5b. As we try to love others, we will
surely encounter hatred from those who belong to the world. How then can we
love in such a hostile world?
6a. Think of some real-life examples in which we only love in word
and tongue.
6b. What does it mean to love in deed and
in truth?
6c. How does loving in deed and in truth
fulfill the spirit of laying down our lives for our brethren?
7. List the needs of those around you that you have overlooked
in the past, and that you want to meet through your love now. List as many as
possible.
3:19-24
8. What does this paragraph say
about the following:
8a. Confidence in heart
8b. Confidence in prayer
8c. Confidence in abiding
9. Explain the teaching of verses 19-21.
10. Compare the commandments in 23 with Mt 22:34-40.
11a. According to verse 24, what are the two ways by which we can
know that we abide in God and He in us?
11b. How is the Spirit an evidence of God’s
abiding in us?
