The Little Letters - End of Week 1
WEEK 1 - SMALL GROUP STUDY GUIDE
INTRO
The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion. Feel free to add or subtract or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.
OPEN
Have you ever had an experience that was so out of this world amazing that you wondered later if it really happened? Met a hero, made a game-winning shot, ate the most amazing meal, traveled to an incredible location? What is something that helps you remember that experience?
HEAD
Read I John 1: 1-2 together and share any wisdom, insights, or questions in response to the reading.
How many times does John use the words “seen,” “heard,” or “touched” in the opening verses to his first letter? Why do you think it was so important to over-emphasize?
John says he’s writing this letter so that they may “fully share our joy”. What “joy” does he speak about and how might the false teachers, those proclaiming that Jesus wasn’t actually in the flesh, not have joy?
Gnostics, the false teachings, taught that knowledge was superior to anything else (see John 2: 4 as well). Why then do you think John emphasized “right living” in verses 7-10?
What does John say about sin in these opening chapters? Who sins? How is sin dealt with? And whose sins did Jesus atone for on the cross?
According to John, what is the difference between walking in the light versus the dark?
How do we avoid the false teachings of the anti-Christ and living in darkness? (See v. 28). What are some tangible practices that help us do what John recommends?
HEART
Have you had moments in your life where Jesus’ presence and/or intervention was undeniable to you?
If you are a follower of Jesus, why? What have you seen and heard that keeps you going?
Ancient tradition holds that John often greeted his congregants in Ephesus with the words, “Little Children, love one another.” When asked why he said that so much, he said, “Because it is the Lord’s command, and if this is all you do, it is enough.” As we get older, some of us tend to stop worrying and focusing on millions of things, and stick to what matters most. Why do you think John was so focused on “loving one another” as the greatest command for the followers of Christ?
HANDS
If it’s been some time since you wrote out the reasons for your faith, take some time this week to write down why you believe in Jesus? It’s ok if there are doubts, but think through why you go to church, why you seek fellowship with other believers, what are your reasons for the hope that you have, and what you would tell another person about the “why” of your faith.
WORDS TO LIVE BY
“Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.”
1 John 2:7-8 NLT
INTRO
The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion. Feel free to add or subtract or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.
OPEN
Have you ever had an experience that was so out of this world amazing that you wondered later if it really happened? Met a hero, made a game-winning shot, ate the most amazing meal, traveled to an incredible location? What is something that helps you remember that experience?
HEAD
Read I John 1: 1-2 together and share any wisdom, insights, or questions in response to the reading.
How many times does John use the words “seen,” “heard,” or “touched” in the opening verses to his first letter? Why do you think it was so important to over-emphasize?
John says he’s writing this letter so that they may “fully share our joy”. What “joy” does he speak about and how might the false teachers, those proclaiming that Jesus wasn’t actually in the flesh, not have joy?
Gnostics, the false teachings, taught that knowledge was superior to anything else (see John 2: 4 as well). Why then do you think John emphasized “right living” in verses 7-10?
What does John say about sin in these opening chapters? Who sins? How is sin dealt with? And whose sins did Jesus atone for on the cross?
According to John, what is the difference between walking in the light versus the dark?
How do we avoid the false teachings of the anti-Christ and living in darkness? (See v. 28). What are some tangible practices that help us do what John recommends?
HEART
Have you had moments in your life where Jesus’ presence and/or intervention was undeniable to you?
If you are a follower of Jesus, why? What have you seen and heard that keeps you going?
Ancient tradition holds that John often greeted his congregants in Ephesus with the words, “Little Children, love one another.” When asked why he said that so much, he said, “Because it is the Lord’s command, and if this is all you do, it is enough.” As we get older, some of us tend to stop worrying and focusing on millions of things, and stick to what matters most. Why do you think John was so focused on “loving one another” as the greatest command for the followers of Christ?
HANDS
If it’s been some time since you wrote out the reasons for your faith, take some time this week to write down why you believe in Jesus? It’s ok if there are doubts, but think through why you go to church, why you seek fellowship with other believers, what are your reasons for the hope that you have, and what you would tell another person about the “why” of your faith.
WORDS TO LIVE BY
“Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.”
1 John 2:7-8 NLT
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