3: Walking in the Light (1Jn 1:5-2:2)

The Basics

Setting

The introduction of the epistle ended with the fellowship with God as the purpose of the epistle. This section goes into descriptions of the members of this fellowship (God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the believers) and the condition for entering into the fellowship

Key Verse

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1:7).

Did You Know…?

1.         Advocate (2:1): “The Greek word (parakletos) translated “advocate” literally means “one called to one’s side,” or a helper. In New Testament days the word was used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, or counsel, for the defense.” 2/42

Observation

Outline

(1:5-7)

(1:8-10)

(2:1-2)

Key Words/Phrases

General Analysis

1.   What kind of lie is meant in these verses?

1a. 1:6

1b. 1:8

1c. 1:10

2.   What is taught about Jesus Christ in this section?

3.   What are the requirements, according to this section, for fellowship with God?

Segment Analysis

1:5-7

1a.       What does darkness refer to?

1b.       What does it mean that God is light?

2.         Have you ever felt that you lived in darkness and lie? What was it like?

3a.       How do we walk in the light?

3b.       How is walking in the light fellowship with God and with one another?

4.         What does verse 6 teach us about saying and doing?

5.         How does Jesus enable our fellowship with God and with one another?

1:8-10

6.         What does this paragraph teach us about God’s character? What does it have to do with forgiveness?

7a.       Why would a person say he is without sin?

7b.       Why does God make confession of sins a condition for forgiveness and cleansing?

2:1-2

8.         What is the significance of the author’s statement “…these things I write to you, so that you may not sin”?

9a.       What does an “advocate” do?

9b.       How is Jesus our advocate?

9c.       Does Christ’s advocacy mean that our sins are automatically forgiven whenever we sin against God?

10a.     What is propitiation?

10b.     How is God the propitiation for the sins of the whole world?