Epistles of John Discussion Questions

What clues do we have for who the writer is, and what are the possibilities.

The i

The author is called the elder, and and the language and style.

They are identical to the Gospel of John.

Possibly John the son of Zebedee, or an early disciple known as John the Elder.

How old is John when he writes these?

In his old age.

Why is it important if the audience that an early writer is writing to is Jewish believers or Gentile believers?(Open-ended)

What motivated John to write these letters?

A group of people in the churches had broken off from the churches,

did not recognize Jesus as Israel’s messiah,

or as the Son of God.

Why was 2 John written?

He writes to a house church and warns about these people who are coming to seek validation.

Why was 3 John written?

To a leader of one of the house churches to welcome legitimate missionaries.

The leader of the church, Diotraphenes was acting like a jerk and rejecting anyone associated with John.

What does John assure everyone?

That God is still with those who adhere to the truth.

How come the video goes over 2 & 3 John first?

Understanding these brief books will help us understand was going on and why he wrote the first book.

What is 1 John more like than a letter?

A poetic sermon.

What is John’s goal?

To stay faithful to what they already know.

Who does John apply the word God to?

To both the Father and the Son.

What is the process that John explains using the words we and you?

He is explaining that the apostles saw and touches the Son, and therefore have seen and touched God.

The had fellowship with God, and we can have that to.

This is what was being shared to the next generation producing fellowship.

What does the word fellowship mean?

Participation or sharing.

What is the first message?

God is Light.

What is the explanation of this message?

In order to walk with God in a relationship, we need to walk in the light.

We can do this by keeping Jesus’ commandments, which is hard.

When we do, God will cover us with grace and help us start again.

What is the commandment of Jesus that is walking in the light?

To love each other like Jesus loved us.

If God’s light is already now shining through Jesus and the world’s night is passing away which means?

That believers need to not love the world and have victory over it.

Things like pride, and sexual corruption.

What does John call the ones who deny Jesus?

anti-messiahs or Antichrists.

What does John say that those who still have the truth of Jesus?

They are loved by God and considered His children.

When they live and do righteousness,

Which is loving everyone like He loved us.

What is the second message of the apostles?

That God is love.

that we should love one another.

We should avoid hatred.

How is love defined for a believer?

To lay down or give up your life for someone.

This is what Jesus did.

Do you think it is only laying down your physical life for one another? Why or why not?

What does John call the ones who reject Jesus as messiah and why?

False speaker or prophets, because they claim to speak for God.

What is the test to know what a false speakers/ prophets is?

If their message does not focus on Jesus as the crucified Son of Jod, they do not speak for God.

What does John say God’s true children will focus their whole lives on and why?

The cross of Jesus Christ, because only there do we see God’s true heart and love for us.

True understanding of this love is what compels us to love others in this same way.

This love will drive out fear and angst.

What does John mean that you can have victory over the world?

That God is so in love and crazy about you, despite all of your deepest flaws and failures.

When a believer embraces this message, it gives them eternal life.

what is the climactic conclusion of Johns’s 1st letter?