Purpose and Introduction of 1 John

To cause us to deepen our relationship with our holy God and others.

John uses the letter of 1 John to mold our concept of God and His people. By carefully describing salvation and its results in a Christian's life, John essentially defines what a Christian is. By clarifying the borders of our faith with the elements of truth, love and light, he enables us to discern where we are in our lives and carefully sets our focus on where we should and can be.

Truth is the right concept of God, Christ and man. Love is the way we imitate Christ in kindly relating to each other. Light is the reflection of holiness stemming from Christ dwelling in us through the Spirit of God. We wouldn't want a Christianity without these three elements as John has defined them. It would no longer in fact be what Jesus Christ taught and revealed to us. Because of this, we are exhorted to make sure that what we live out in our lives is consistent with how Jesus Christ revealed Himself to us.

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Chart Outline of 1 John

A. The Creation of God’s People	B. The Confirmation of God’s People	C. The Characteristics of God’s People	D. The Charge to God’s People
1 John 1:1-2:2	1 John 2:3-17	1 John 2:18-3:24	1 John 4-5
The entrance into His fellowship.	The evidence of our Christian fellowship.	The definition of our Christian fellowship.	The authority of our fellowship
Entrance & Enlightenment Our views on God’s purity (Light) significantly shape our salvation and sanctification.	Assurance of our Faith We need to look beyond a simple confession to strengthen the assurance of our salvation.	Critical Doctrines God places a boundary around God’s people called truths or doctrines.	Facing a Tough World We overcome by demonstrating true beliefs, good relationships and righteous behavior.

OUR MEETING WITH GOD

1 John – A Detail Outline

I.  THE CREATION OF GOD’S PEOPLE        {1 John 1:1-2:2}

                             A Meeting With God

A. The Possibility of Joining this Fellowship: Incarnation of  Christ                 1:1-4

B. The Process of Joining this Fellowship: Three Firm Truths                 1:5-2:2

II.  THE CONFIRMATION THAT WE ARE GOD’S PEOPLE        {1 John 2:3-2:17}

                             The Evidence Of Christian Fellowship             

A. Crisis of Confidence:  Assurance   2:3-11

B. The Growth of Faith 2:12-14

C. Choosing between Two Loves 2:15-17

III. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD’S PEOPLE        {1 John 2:18-3:24}

                             The Definition Of Our Fellowship

A.  Right Teaching: Confessing Christ                 2:18-27

B.  Right Living: Practicing God’s righteousness    2:28-3:12

C.  Right Loving:  Practice Christ’s love      3:10b-24 

IV.     THE CHARGE TO GOD’S PEOPLE              {1 John 4:1-5:21}

                             The Force Of Our Fellowship

A.  Let us Affirm Apostolic Teaching            4:1-6

B.  Let Us Love One Another              4:7-21

C.  Let us Overcome and Live Righteously        5:1-12

D.  Summary of Book               5:13-20

E.  ps:  The Greatest Threat To True Worship    5:21

Links to main 1 John articles OUR MEETING WITH GOD Outline and Overview of 1 John John's Method of Detecting Errror (1 John) A.) The Creation of God’s People (1 John 1:1-2:2) | Study Questions The Key to Life 1 John 1:5 What is God really like? Questions 1 John 1:6-10 what do we really believe? Questions 1 John 1:8-10 "Only a little won't matter" 1 John 2:1-2 How can I find help for my sin? Questions B.) The Confirmation of God’s People (1 John 2:3-17) | Study Questions Optimized for Growth (1 John 2:3-11) 1 John 2:3 Optimized for Growth (2:3-11: Part 1/4) Questions 1 John 2:4-5 Profession on Confession (Part 2/4) Questions 1 John 2:6-8 Profession on Relationship (Part 3/4) Questions 1 John 2:9-11 Profession on Spirituality (Part 4/4) Questions 1 John 2:12-14 Discipleship's Three Stages C.) The Character of God’s People (1 John 2:18-3:24) | Study Questions Growing in Confidence (1 John 2:28-3:10) 1 John 2:28 A. John’s Hope for a Christian 1 John 2:29-3:10 B. The Spheres of Life and Death 1 John 3:1-10 C. The Pathways to Death and Life 1 John 3:5,8 D. The Final Battle–When Life destroys Death Bible Study Questions on 1 John 2:28-3:10 D.) The Charge to God’s People (1 John 4-5) | Study Questions 1 John 4 God is Love: The Source of Love 4:7-21 Questions 1 John 5:14-15 Three Keys to Effective Prayer Questions Qualifications for Prayer (1 John 5:13-14) 1. Ask for Anything (1 John 5:14) 2. Seek according to God's Will (1 John 5:14) 3. Knock Until He Hears (1 John 5:15)  1 John 5:21 Understanding Life's Problems Questions A. The Source of Life’s Problems B. Understanding Idolatry C. Guard Yourselves: Being Delivered from Idols D. Describing Our Idols E.  Making Room for the Lord