2: Fellowship through the Word of Life (1Jn 1:1-4)

The Basics

Setting

This short section if like a preface to the entire epistle. It tells us the origin, nature, content, and purpose of the message that the apostle is declaring. Much information and teaching is packed into these four verses. So take the time to think about the passage and its significance.

Key Verse

“The life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us” (1:2).

Did You Know…?

1.         Fellowship (1:3): “Hellenistic literature uses [this word] to describe partners in business, joint owners of a piece of property, or shareholders in a common enterprise.” ^9/307

Observation

Key Words/Phrases

Segment Analysis

1.   Compare verse 1-5 with John 1:1-18 and write down the similarities and the teachings behind them.

2.   To understand the first three verses, we need to read the sentence carefully first and see what it says.

2a. What is the content of the message that John is declaring?

2b. What is the nature of this message?

2c. What is the purpose for declaring this message?

3.   What does it mean that John has “heard,” “seen,” “looked upon,” “handled,” and is “bearing witness” to the Word of life?

4.   The sentence structure of verses 1-3 is quite unusual. It starts with the object, and we do not see the subject and verb until verse 3. This is what the sentence would be like if it was written another way. “We declare to you concerning the Word of life, which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen….” Why do you thing the author structured his sentence this way?

5.   What does the word “fellowship” mean? Read these N.T. passages in which the word is used and try to provide a definition based on these verses: Acts 2:42; 1Cor 1:9; 5:2 (NIV); 10:20; 2Cor 6:14; 8:4; 13:14 (NIV); Gal 2:9; Phil 1:5; 2:1; 3:10; Phm 6 (NASB).

6.   How does John’s description serve as a powerful defense against the denial that Jesus came in the flesh?

7.   Why is it important to us, the readers, that what the apostle declares is something he has seen, looked upon, and handled?

8a. What can we learn from John in his role as a witness?

8b. In what ways have you also seen, heard, and touched our Lord?

8c. The apostle bears witness to what he has seen. Do you bear witness to what you have seen? Write down things in your faith that you have seen, heard, and touched that you could witness to others about.

9.   Why is the message we have received and share with others the “Word of life”?

10a.           How does the writer have fellowship with his readers?

10b.           How is our fellowship with other believers also fellowship with God?

11. Think about or discuss ways we can have fellowship with one another and with God. You may refer to John’s epistles as your guide.