Living in the Light of God's Love
1 John Lesson One-1 John 1 You Are Living in the Light of a Glorious Savior 1. Being in the true light 2. Walking in the light 3. Getting rid of the darkness
Introduction Think back to a time when you were about ten years old. Share a special joy that came into your life at that time. What is the problem with most bursts of joy? In John 10:10 Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” What can we always anticipate as we grow closer to our Savior?
Studying God's Word In the 1980s, movie-actress-turned-author Shirley MacLaine wrote books about finding God within herself. Her New Age thinking was undisguised in such books as Dancing in the Light and Out on a Limb. John wrote this epistle at a time when similar anti-Christian, "new age" thinking was beginning to seep into the church under the banner of Gnosticism. Gnostics believed matter was inherently evil. The spirit could "dance in the light" if it rose above matter. They would not accept the Bible's teaching that the Word became flesh.
Being in the true light Read 1 John 1:1-4 1
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have observed and our hands have touched regarding the Word of Life—2 the life appeared, and we have seen it. We testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We are proclaiming what we have seen and heard also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. 4 We write these things to you so that our joy may be complete. 1. What do the words "that which was from the beginning" teach us about Jesus? (1:1; see John 1:1 and Revelation 1:8,17,18.)
2. What were the disciples actually able to do with their hands, eyes, and ears when the risen Lord and Savior appeared to them? (1:1,2) List the verbs in verse 2. (Also read Luke 24:39.) © 1997 Northwestern Publishing House. Reprinted by permission.