9: Eternal Life in Jesus Christ (1Jn 5:1-21)

The Basics

Setting

In the final chapter of his epistle, John turns our focus to the Lord Jesus Christ again. Through faith in the Son of God, about whom God has given testimony, we may receive eternal life. This is the gift and promise for those who are born of God, who love God, who abide in God, and who have fellowship with God.

Key Verse

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life” (5:20).

Observation

Outline

(5:1-5)

(5:1-3)

(5:4-5)

(5:6-12)

(5:13-21)

(5:13)

(5:14-16)

(5:17-21)

Key Words/Phrases

General Analysis

1.   According to this passage, what are the fruits of believing in Christ?

Segment Analysis

5:1-5

1.         What does the word “Christ” mean? How does your belief that Jesus is the Christ manifest in your daily life?

2.         Why do we often think that God’s commandments are burden-some? Why are they, in fact, not burdensome?

3.         How does our belief in the Lord Jesus enable us to overcome the world? Define “world.”

5:6-12

4.         How did Jesus come by water and blood?

5.         How does the Spirit bear witness?

6.         What does it mean that the Spirit, the water, and the blood, agree as one?

7a.       Why is God’s testimony so important?

7b.       In what ways do we often value men’s witness more than God’s witness?

8a.       How does God’s giving of eternal life serve as a testimony?

8b.       How is this testimony related to water, blood, and the Spirit?

5:14-21

9.         What does it mean to believe in the name of the Son of God?

10a.     Record the occurrences of the word “know.” According to this passage, what can we be confident about?

10b.     On what basis is this confidence built?

10c.     When does such confidence become a false sense of security? 

11a.     What is “sin leading to death”?

11b.     Do you pray for your brother who has sinned? Why is it important to do so?

12.       What can we learn from 18-21 about God’s children and the children of the wicked one?

13a.     Why does John emphasize that God is true?

13b.     What is the connection between 21 and 20?

13c.     How does 21 relate to the entire epistle?