Studies in 1 John Introduction

This bible study is written by Grace Chong, who is starting a PHD in Waikato University. She studied the book of John as part of her quiet time and became excited about the book and so she wrote this study.

Watch this video as an overview of the book of 1 John.

If you are interested in preparing a bible study, Mark Day gives some tips.

Study 1: 1 John 1 and 2

Read 1 John 1 and 2 quickly together.
http://tscfhamilton.tumblr.com/post/147283629845/1-john-1
http://tscfhamilton.tumblr.com/post/147283867165/1-john-2

How does John describe Jesus?
What does the passage say about Jesus?
What does knowing Christ bring?
Later in this letter 1 John 5:6-13, John describes how Jesus Christ came by the water and the blood. What do you think he means?
I John begins with the need to testify about what he has experienced.
If your friend asks you about Jesus, what would you say?

Fun challenge: Explain the gospel in a minute.

Word studies
Which words are unclear? How would you explain them to someone else? For example: sin, appropriation, advocate, commandment. How are these words used in 1 John 1, 2.

Manuscript bible study-Contrasts
Colour these contrasts
light and dark
truth and lie/deceive
love and hate
Summarize how the passage contrasts these ideas.
How could we apply these to our lives. For example: What does the passage say about walking in the light and in the darkness? How would we do it?

Esther ex Wellington OCFer gives pitfalls to avoid, pros and cons and how to prepare a manuscript bible study.

Study 2 A close reading of 1 John 2. Demonstrating the Snapchat Campaign.

One of the reasons we are doing a Snapchat campaign of 1 John is to get people to write out, examine closely and remember 1 John ie own 1 John for themselves. As we read the text as a group, the Spirit can re-form us to embody the Scriptures. https://nz.pinterest.com/tscfh/1-john-snapchat-campaign/

In pairs, pick a section of 1 John 2 and write it out.
Read it closely with another person (Taken from https://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/reading_lit.html)

I. First Impressions: What is the first thing you notice about the passage? What is the second thing? Do the two things you noticed complement each other? Or contradict each other? What mood does the passage create in you? Why? II. Vocabulary and Diction: Which words do you notice first? Why? What is noteworthy about this diction? How do the important words relate to one another? Do any words seem oddly used to you? Why? Do any words have double meanings? Do they have extra connotations? Look up any unfamiliar words. For a pre-20th century text, look in the Oxford English Dictionary for possible outdated meanings. (The OED can only be accessed by students with a subscription or from a library computer that has a subscription. Otherwise, you should find a copy in the local library.) III. Discerning Patterns: Does an image here remind you of an image elsewhere in the book? Where? What's the connection? How might this image fit into the pattern of the book as a whole? Could this passage symbolize the entire work? Could this passage serve as a microcosm--a little picture--of what's taking place in the whole work? What is the sentence rhythm like? Short and choppy? Long and flowing? Does it build on itself or stay at an even pace? What is the style like? Look at the punctuation. Is there anything unusual about it? Is there any repetition within the passage? What is the effect of that repetition? How many types of writing are in the passage? (For example, narration, description, argument, dialogue, rhymed or alliterative poetry, etc.) Can you identify paradoxes in the author's thought or subject? What is left out or kept silent? What would you expect the author to talk about that the author avoided? IV. Point of View and Characterization: How does the passage make us react or think about any characters or events within the narrative? Are there colors, sounds, physical description that appeals to the senses? Does this imagery form a pattern? Why might the author have chosen that color, sound or physical description? Who speaks in the passage? To whom does he or she speak? Does the narrator have a limited or partial point of view? Or does the narrator appear to be omniscient, and he knows things the characters couldn't possibly know? (For example, omniscient narrators might mention future historical events, events taking place "off stage," the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters, and so on).

Place your poster in an interesting, creative manner. Snapchat it.

Try to do this everyday while we are studying 1 John either with the same verse or different verses each day. Be prepared to explain the verse to anyone who sees it on snapchat.

Try to apply 1 John to your life as an individual and as a group.

Study 3: 1 John 3

Read 1 John 3
http://tscfhamilton.tumblr.com/post/147284051520/1-john-3

Observe -> Interpret -> Apply Method

A quick introduction to the OIA method

Observe: Using mindmaps
*Create a mindmap of the ideas and themes in this passage, showing the links and highlighting the key themes. Here is an example of a mindmap of 1John 2

Taken from http://www.xmind.net/m/6hhm/

Interpret: Big Idea Challenge
*Use post it notes to record the big ideas and put it on a poster.
*Sum up what you've learnt as a #twitter post in less than 140 characters.

Apply
*How can the principle of "prefect love drives out fear" help you overcome your fears?
*How does the Cain and Abel story illustrate the 2 basic categories of humanity?
*Why is Christ's death on the cross the supreme example of love?
*How have you and those in church sought to love those with material needs?
* In what practical ways might we lay down our lives for each other?

Study 4: 1 John 4

Swedish Method
Read 1 John 4
http://tscfhamilton.tumblr.com/post/147286417690/1-john-4

Take turns to discuss highlights, questions and applications from the passage.

A light bulb: This should be something that ‘shines’ from the passage—whatever impacts most, or draws attention.

A question mark: Anything that is difficult to understand in the text, or a question the reader would like to ask the writer of the passage or the Lord.

An arrow: A personal application for the reader’s life

Further discussion
Deception Vs discernment
* What is the characteristics of false teachers and their teachings that John is exposing in these verses?
* What are the signs of the last hour?
*To deny that Jesus is Christ is to deny that the man Jesus is the eternal divine Christ -- the God-man
Why is John so harsh towards those who believe and teach this view?
* Why is there such a great need for Christians to be discerning?
*What test does John give us for determining whether a person's teaching is from the Spirit of God or the Spirit of the anti-Christ?
*How we be sure of the truth?

Study 5: 1 John 5

Read 1 John 5
http://tscfhamilton.tumblr.com/post/147286705315/1-john-5

Use the Swedish Method
Take turns to discuss highlights, questions and applications from the passage.

A light bulb: This should be something that ‘shines’ from the passage—whatever impacts most, or draws attention.

A question mark: Anything that is difficult to understand in the text, or a question the reader would like to ask the writer of the passage or the Lord.

An arrow: A personal application for the reader’s life

Added discussion questions reflecting on what we have learnt so far:

*How does John's assurances in the book of 1 John help us deal with times of doubt?

*Why would obedience to God's commands affect our confidence in prayer?

*Why do you think John reduces the commandments to a single command to be obeyed?

*How would you counsel someone who lacked assurance that he/she was a Christian?

Study 6 Second and Third John

Read 2 John
http://tscfhamilton.tumblr.com/post/147286825170/2-john
Introduction of 2 John

Read 3 John
http://tscfhamilton.tumblr.com/post/147286893350/3-john
Introduction of 3 John

Discussion:

How would you show love to one another as a group?

How does hospitality show that love and what benefits are there of having the Knighton Road flat? How can everyone contribute to it being a place to show love to one another?

Practical application:

Write a postcard encouraging someone you know.