Scripture Reference:
- 1 John 2:3-17
Our lesson today links our obedience with our love of God. Jesus says in Matthew 22:37 and Luke 10:27 that we are to love the Lord with all our hearts, and our neighbor as ourself. Jesus adds in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
What new element does Jesus add in John 13:34?
In our scripture today, John relates our knowledge of God to our love for God. What does verse 4 say we will do if we love God and know Him.
If we claim to know God, but don’t keep His. commandments, what does verse 4 say we are?
How does verse 9 express a similar thought with the examples of light and darkness?
John Stott expresses it this way, “Moral obedience is, if we claim to know Christ, we obey His commands. Social obedience means we love God and love our fellow believers.”
How does observing Jesus’ life in The Gospels help us to understand obedience to the Father and love for others? (John 13:34)
What do verses 10-11 teach us about how we relate to others in this world?
Verses 12-14 address three groups. John Stott suggests that this isn’t physical age or maturity, but addresses where people are spiritually.
“Little children” refers to new believers. What promise does verse 12 give to new believers?
What do verses 13-14 say about fathers? In verse 13, young men are addressed, because they have overcome evil.
Verses 15-17 address the love of the world versus love for the Father.
What choice does verse 15 give us? Why do the three things mentioned in verse 3:16 — lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, the pride of life — distort our love for the Father? What promise are we given in verse 17 if we do the will of the Father?
“The claim to be a Christian is…knowing God (verse 4), living in Christ (verse 6), being in the light (verse9).” — John Stott
As we go through life, why is it vital to show others what it means by “our example”?
IN CLOSING —
If we claim to be a Christian, we must keep God’s commandments and love our neighbors as ourself.
Thank you for joining in this study. Please let me know if you have any questions.
— Pastor John