HOPE: from the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit

Apr-May 2020

8am and 10am congregations

 

The three letters of John (1, 2, 3 John) are rich with insight and encouragement for our current coronavirus climate.

We will follow the below programme; Growth Group questions are also below.

 

Date

First Reading

Second Reading

Apr 19

1 John 1:1 – 2:2

Apr 26

1 John 2:3-27

2 John 1-6

May 3

1 John 2:28 – 3:24

-

May 10

1 John 4:1-6

2 John 7-11

May 17

1 John 4:7 – 5:5

3 John 1-8

May 24

1 John 5:5-21 

3 John 9-12

 

1 John 1:1 - 2:2

i. In your experience:
  • What things help you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?
  • What things get in the way of focusing on Jesus?
ii. In the Gospels, what are some of the things that show Jesus was:
  • truly & fully human
  • truly & fully God
iii. Compare John Gospel 1: 1-18 with the first five verses of 1 John.  
  • What themes do they have in common?
  • What do these passages teach us about Jesus?
iv. What place does self-examination leading to confession of sin have in your life?
 

1 John 2:3-27 & 2 John 6

1. If you had only three sentences to sum up what a Christian needs to know during the coronavirus pandemic, what would they be and why?
 
2. What do you learn about the church John is writing to from 1st Jn 2:12-14 (also compare 1:1-4)?
 
3. Re-read 1st John 2:3-11, 15-27. John draws several sharp contrasts. List them out and the reasons why each of the two realities are incompatible.
 
4. Compare 2nd Jn 5-6 with 1st Jn 2:7-11. What is similar? Why might this be significant?
 
5. What enters your mind when you hear "antichrist"? Reading 1st John 2:18-19, as well as 4:1-3, what is the bible's description? Give some examples of 'antichrist' teaching and behaviour.
 
6. What does it mean for you as an individual and us as Wellspring to "walk just as Jesus walked" (1st Jn 2:6)? Spend some time discussing application and then pray for one another, asking the Holy Spirit to apply this verse especially to members of your group and to our church.

 

1 John 2:28 - 3:24

i. When you imagine yourself as a "son" or "daughter" of God "the Father", which words or images immediately leap to mind? Why do you think this is so?

ii. According to this passage, how would you answer the question, 'Who are the children of God?' 

iii. According to this passage, how would you answer the question, 'What do the the children of God do?' 

iv. What does it mean that (3:6), "everyone who remains in Jesus does not sin"? Start by exploring what that does not mean.

 

1 John 4:1-6 & 2 John 7-11

1. If you have them, tell of two experiences when you (or someone you know) 'heard from a spirit': one positive, one negative.

2. Compare 4:1-6 to 1 Corinthians 12:1-3. In what kind of circumstances can you imagine this 'Jesus test' being significant?
3. Re-read the entirety of 2 John. What about it has links to 1 John?

4. In what ways would you like prayer to appropriate 4:4 to your life now, in the midst of coronavirus? 

 

3 John 1-8 & 1 John 4.7 - 5.4
 
1. In 3 John (verses 3 & 4) John commends the Christians he is writing to, for their fidelity to the truth and walking in truth.  
  • What does it mean to be faithful to and walk in truth?
  • Can you think of examples where people are and are not doing these things?
  • How do we encourage one another in this way, and rebuke when necessary?
2. In 3 John 8 we read the Christians John is writing to are told that they can be co-workers for the truth.
  • In what ways can all Christians be fulfil this role?
 
3.  What do we learn about the love of God in 1 John 4?
  • How is God’s love for us to the source of our love?
  • How do our responsibility and the role of the Holy Spirit fit together?
 
4.  Several times in 1 John he repeats Jesus’ command to love one another.  
  • Why do we not always find it easy to love our brothers and sisters in Christ?
 
5.  What place does God’s judgment have in your life as a Christian?
 
 
1 John 5:5-21 and 3 John 9-12
1. What are some things in your life that you find life-giving?
 
2. Are there times when you struggle to believe that God hears your prayers? Furthermore, how expectant are you that God will answer what you pray for?
 
3. Spend some time discussing your prayer life for others, and consider whether this could be an area of growth for you.

4. What idols do you have in your life that make it hard to experience eternal life with God?