BOOK THAT DISCUSSES LIFE, LIGHT & LOVE Cards 108-113 BOOK THAT DISCUSSES LIFE, LIGHT & LOVE I JOHN This Epistle was written by John, the Son of Zebedee, the beloved Disciple, an Apostle of Jesus Christ. This Epistle, like the Epistle to the Hebrews, names neither its Author, nor the Persons to whom it is addressed, though it is very personal, as appears from the frequent use of “I” and “You”. From the beginning it has been recognized as a Circular Letter of the Apostle John to the Churches around Ephesus, to emphasize the Main Essentials of the Gospel, and to warn against appearing false doctrine which later produced a Corrupt and Paganized Form of Christianity. John wrote this Epistle that others might share his feeling of Fellowship, Companionship and Joy, in Christ and in the Father, and with one another. According to long received tradition, John made Jerusalem his headquarters, caring for Jesus’ Mother till her death, and, after the destruction of Jerusalem, made his residence at Ephesus, which by the close of the Apostolic generation had become the Geographic and Numerical Center of Christian Population. Here John lived to a great age, and wrote his Gospel, his Three Epistles and Book of Revelation.

BOOK THAT DISCUSSED LIFE, LIGHT & LOVE A. I JOHN B. II JOHN C. III JOHN I John calls Jesus the Word of Life—Jesus had promised us eternal life? True or False Eternal life is in God’s Son? True or False I John states that God is light—are we to walk in the light? Light as used in this book is a symbol of righteousness—is darkness a symbol of evil? I John shows we are to love our brother—are we to love the world? The world that we are not to love is made up of: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, the pride of life? True or False If you love the world is the love of the Father in you? God is Love—when we love God we keep His commandments? True or False Is baptism a commandment of God we must keep?

“…GOD IS LIGHT, AND IN HIM… IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL.” John wrote his Gospel account of Jesus’ life in order to bring readers to a belief in Christ (John 20:31). He directed this letter to people who were already Christians, outlining how that faith should affect a person’s life. God is light, he says: so walk in the light. He is spirit; so worship Him in the proper spirit. He is love; so demonstrate that love to others. Light stands for God’s Realm of Truth, Righteousness, Purity, Joy, Ineffable Glory. Darkness stands for this World of Error, Evil, Ignorance, Wickedness and Abode of the Lost.

“…GOD IS LIGHT, AND IN HIM… A. THERE ARE DARK CLOUDS B. IT IS ALWAYS NIGHT C. THERE IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL John wrote his Gospel account of Jesus’ life in order to bring readers to a belief in Christ? True or False John directed this letter to people who were already Christians? True or False John outlined in this letter how that faith should affect a person’s life? True or False John said God is light, so are we to walk in the light? John said God is a Spirit, so are we to worship Him in the proper spirit? Does proper spirit mean we are to talk and giggle during the worship service? Does proper spirit mean we shouldn’t pay any attention to what is going on and play on our cell phones? John said that God is love, so are we to demonstrate that love to others? Light stands for Evil and Error? Light stand for Truth, Righteousness, Purity, and Joy? Can you name a way you can be a true light for God?

“LOVE NOT… The love of the world and of God are not reconcilable. By “the World” is meant the ways of the world, its passions, pleasures and pursuits. This sinful world is comprehended under three heads: > THE LUST OF THE FLESH--- The desires which spring from the appetites and passions. > THE LUST OF THE EYES---- The desires that are aroused by appeals made to our eyes. > THE PRIDE OF LIFE----- The vain glory of the world; its foolish display. Being sensitive, greedy and boasting of ones own value nearly, but not quite, illustrate what is meant. THE WORLD…”

LOVE NOT…. A. THE CHURCH B. THE FAMILY C. THE WORLD 1. Is the love of the world and of God compatible? The three heads of this sinful world are: a. The lust of the f_________ b. The lust of the e_________ c. The lust of l_____________ Should we be careful what we see with our eyes? Should we be careful what we do with our hands and feet? Name a place your eyes, hands and feet should not be?

ETERNAL LIFE IS IN HIS SON (JESUS) God gives us eternal life through His Son. We know that we have it because we know that we have a new life. “Know” is one of the key words of this Epistle. We that we Know God (2:3). We know that we are in Him (2:5). We know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him (3:2). These things have I written that you may know that you have Eternal Life (5:13) Eternal Life, begins when a person becomes a Christian, and Never Ends. It is a Life of Divine Quality and Endless Duration. Assurance of it is the object of this Epistle. HIS SON (JESUS)

ETERNAL LIFE IS IN A. BEING A CHRISTIAN B. HIS SON C. BOTH OF THE ABOVE Eternal Life begins when a person becomes a Christian? True or False Eternal Life never ends? True or False God gives us eternal life through His Son. True or False What did God’s son do for us to give us eternal life? When Jesus appears again did John say we will be life Him? Johns’ main theme in this epistle is “know”? True or False John wrote this epistle that we may know that we have Eternal Life? True or False What does Eternal Life mean to you?

BOOK THAT SHOWS WE CANNOT HELP FALSE TEACHERS II JOHN The Second Epistle of John was written as a result of information which had come to the apostle regarding the children of the faithful sister addressed in it. He had heard that certain of her children were “Walking in truth,” and he wrote to rejoice with her in this; to admonish her to persist in the same manner of life; and to avoid the seductions of the false teachers regularly coming her way. This letter cautions the Elect Lady to be on her guard, and refuse Hospitality to such Teachers. The warning is prefaced an exhortation to Love (5,6), as if to indicate that the Practice of Christian Love does not mean that we should give encouragement to Enemies of the Truth.

BOOK THAT SHOWS WE CANNOT HELP FALSE TEACHERS A. I JOHN B. II JOHN C. III JOHN The Second Epistle of John was written to an Elect Lady? True or False The Elect Ladies children were “walking in truth”? True or False This letter cautions the Elect Lady to be on her guard about False Teachers? True or False Did John tell her to refuse hospitality to False Teacher? As a Christian are we to be mean and ugly to people who do not teach God’s word? We must first become a friend of a false teacher and then try to teach them the word of God? True or False As we become a friend of a false teacher we are to praise and give glory to them in their false teaching? What do you look for in a friend? Should we ever encourage enemies of the Truth? What can you do to teach someone the word of the Lord?

BOOK THAT SHOWS WE ARE TO HELP TEACHER OF THE TRUTH III JOHN Third John was addressed to Gaius, a name of frequent mention in the New Testament, and one, therefore, not possible to identify with certainty. Whether one of three men named “Gaius,” or a man by this name not elsewhere mentioned or referred to in the New Testament, we have no means of knowing. He appears to have been neither an elder nor a deacon in the congregation where he worshipped, but a man of benevolence, of some financial standing, and greatly devoted to the truth. Third John was written, (a) for the purpose of commending Gaius for his faithfulness, fidelity, and hospitality shown to missionaries which had come his way, to encourage him to continue in this grace and not be deterred by the opposition which had risen; (b) to rebuke Diotrephes for his arrogance, love of pre-eminence, and perverseness; (c) to commend Demetrius, a faithful disciple, who Gaius is admonished to imitate. Three persons are thus dealt with in this brief letter; Gaius, the dependable disciple, liberal, hospitable, devoted; Diotrephes, a church boss, domination, boastful, proud; Demetrius, commended by all, humble, kindly, worthy. These are representative types of men often observed in the church today.

BOOK THAT SHOWS WE ARE TO HELP TEACHERS OF THE TRUTH A. I JOHN B. II JOHN C. III JOHN Third John was addressed to who? Is Gaius a frequently mention name in the New Testament? Are we certain which Gaius this was? Do we know if Gaius was an elder or deacon? Was Gaius known for helping people and devoted to the truth? Did Gaius show hospitality to missionaries? Was John in this letter encouraging Gaius to continue in this grace to others? John also in this letter rebuked Diotrephes for being a dominating church boss, boastful and proud? True or False John commend Demetrius a humble, kindly, worthy man? True or False Which one of these men do you want to be like? Name a way you can be kind and humble.