I John 2 Small Group

Attention Getter: 2 truths and a lie

Reasoning behind our attention getter: 1 Jn 5:13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Some of you in this room and in youth group may be genuine believers. Others are not. Some of you only come to this because your parents make you.

But this is the question that all of you should be asking:

Do you know if you have eternal life, are you absolutely sure? Well, this book is written so that you may know with certainty the answer to that question. In this second chapter we will see signs to tell if you are a true believer…or not. I want you at the outset to be asking yourself, do I possess these characteristics?

You all are in this place, youth ministry. But you being here no more makes you a Christian, than me standing in my garage makes me a car. You are not a Christian by blood/heritage and you are not a Christian by location.

Let’s start our time in the word by first praying and asking God to make the text clear to us.

Now let’s remind ourselves about this letter as you open your Bibles to chapter 2.

Who is writing this letter and to whom is he writing?

Written by the Apostle John and it is written to professing believers who are being led astray by false teachers.

What is this letter about and chapter 2 about?

This letter is about tests to determine true faith in Christ.

In Chapter 1 we saw the first 2 tests of true fellowship. A proper view of Christ in 1 Jn 1:1-4 and a proper view of sin in v.5-10.

Can someone please share w/the group the characteristic of Christ that John emphasized in verses 1-4 of chapter 1?

-Flesh, manifest, physical body…the humanity of Christ

Can someone please share w/the group what view of sin we should have according to verses 5-10?

-Confess and Forsake

Chapter 2 includes three tests: obedience, love, and belief.

Obedience to God’s commandments.

Love for Christians and not the world.

Confess (to say and believe the same as God) about who Jesus is, namely his deity. That’s what is meant by the term “Christ”. It is not Jesus’ last name. It is a title of deity, godhood.

In addition to tests of genuine faith, it also includes a few promises for believers:

We may have confidence in the Lord’s coming (v.28)

We have an anointing of the Holy Spirit who leads us to right understanding and knowledge of the truth (v.27)

Eternal life (v.25)

Forgiveness of sins (v.12)

Knowing Jesus, personally, intimately and being known by Him (v.2-3)

When and Where was it written?

Written in about AD 90 from Ephesus. John as the last living apostle exercised apostolic leadership over the churches of Asia Minor to which these believers belonged.

Why was it written/what is the purpose of the writing?

1. Joy ( 1 Jn 1:4). To experience that we must believe (1 Jn 3:23)

2. Holiness (1 Jn2:1). To experience that we must love (1 Jn 3:23)

3. Assurance (1 Jn 5:13). To experience that we must obey (1 Jn 3:24)

Now, let’s read 1 John 2

Let’s take some time to make some observations about the chapter: Go ahead and take a few minutes and try to notice things like words that are repeated, the 5 w’s: who, what, when, where, why, important topics, etc.