A Study of the First Epistle of John
Please read this epistle five (5) times before you do the following studies:
I. Background Study
(1) Who is the writer of this epistle? Give reasons.
(2) To whom is this letter addressed? Give reasons.
(3) From where is this letter written?
(4) Approximately when is this letter written?
(5) Can you give a brief history of John’s life?
II. Analysis Study
(1) What is the purpose of this letter? How would you relate it to the Gospel according to John??
(2) How would you divide this letter in the simplest way?
(3) What is the unique character of John’s writings? Compare him with James, Peter and Paul.
III. Fact-finding Study
(1) Who is the Word of Life? How does John describe Him? (Compare 1 John 1:1-2 with John 1:1-18)
(2) What does fellowship mean in this letter? And what is the basis of Christian fellowship?
(3) What is the message that John has heard from the Lord and declared to the believers? Find out the various
applications of light in the Scriptures.
(4) What makes our fellowship real?
(5) What should be our attitude towards sin? View it from different directions.
(6) In what sense is Jesus Christ our advocate with the Father?
(7) What should be our attitude towards the whole matter of commandments in God’s Word?
(8) What is the old commandment which is also new? Why is it both old and new?
(9) What is the acid test of being in darkness or in light? And what is the respective consequence of being in
darkness or being in light?
(10) How are God’s children classified according to John? What are the characteristics of each?
(11) How do we know that this is the last hour?
(12) Who are the people whom John warns us against? What are the marks of these people?
(13) What is the dual safeguard against antichrists?
(14) How do we abide in Christ? And what is the effect of such abiding?
(15) What has the love of the Father bestowed upon us?
(16) What is our hope? And how should that hope affect us?
(17) What particular family resemblance does a child of God bear to the heavenly Father?
(18) What is the definition of sin which John gives?
(19) How are the children of God and the children of the devil manifested?
(20) How would you explain 3:6, 9 with 2:1,2?
(21) How do we know that we have passed from death to life? Compare with John 5:24.
(22) By what do we know real love? And how ought we to love one another?
(23) How does our heart relate to God?
(24) How do we prove the spirits?
(25) How do we overcome the spirit of the antichrist?
(26) How do we distinguish the spirit of truth from the spirit of error?
(27) Why must we love one another?
(28) What is the sign of being perfected in love?
(29) How do we know we love the children of God?
(30) What gives us victory over the world?
(31) What are the three witnesses that join in one?
(32) What is the witness that God puts within us who believe?
(33) What is our boldness before God?
(34) What should be our attitude towards a brother who sins?
(35) What are the three Christian certainties with which John concludes his letter?
IV. In-depth Study
(1) In what respect is John’s ministry different from that of Paul and of Peter? Why is his ministry especially
relevant to our time?
(2) Do a thorough study on fellowship.
(3) Study the life of abiding according to John.
(4) Study the way John defines sin, the world, and antichrist as well as righteousness, light and love.
Brother I've started doing a study on a personal Bible study on I John a few months ago! I'm using the way that you recommended through starting reading w reading through 5 times dividing it by phrases etc. I was amazed at how much I'd overlooked just reading it without breaking it down. thanks for posting both the Bible study methods and these questions. Blessings brother.
ReplyDeleteJust saw this comment after sending out the note about studying 1st John together. Encouraged to see this!
DeleteMakes me think
ReplyDelete