1 John Step #3; Chapter 2
The commandment is love
This week, we will read 1 John 2 each day, and answer the corresponding questions:
Day 1:
▲ Make a general summary statement/paraphrase of what you think this chapter is about.
Day 2:
↑ What does this teach me about God?
Day 3:
↓ What does this teach me about man/humanity?
Day 4:
† What does this teach me about Christ (or how does this point me to Christ?
Day 5:
✓How can I apply this to my life?
Questions to consider for application:
How does John's command to love one another challenge your current attitudes and actions towards others? (1 John 2:7-11)
How can we balance the command not to love the world while still living in it and engaging with non-believers?
What practical steps can you take to avoid the allure of worldly desires?
What are some contemporary situations or teachings that you believe John would label as "antichrist"?
Day 6/7:
Use the extra day to check cross-references, look up any word definitions you may want to understand better, and check study notes and commentaries to see how your interpretation compares to what others have said.
*Do this only after you have answered the above questions and attempted to interpret with the help of the Holy Spirit. If we rely on study notes and commentaries, we will never learn to deeply engage with the text and “rightly divide” it ourselves.
↑ First John might be one of the exceptions to this rule. It is a trickier book, and we may need the insights from others to aid our understanding as we go.
→ Challenge:
Continue memorizing 1 John 5:1-5
5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Accountability Questions to Consider:
How have I practiced joy this week?
Have I taken care of the temple of the Holy Spirit with rest, sleep, exercise, healthy eating, etc.?
Have I shared my faith recently? Have I prayed for opportunities to share with others?
Go Deeper:
Five Minute Sermon - 1 John 2
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Open our eyes to see clearly. Help us to understand your Word. Lead us into all truth; keep us from deception. Help us to walk in the light, to have fellowship with you, and your people. Please help us to love you and others because you have first loved us! Thank you for who you are— we give you all glory, honor, and praise!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Blessings 🤍