1. I John
Lesson 1

2. I John Author Chapter 1:1-4 Author
He was an eyewitness of Jesus’ life vs. 1
He heard, saw and touched the Word vs. 1
Proclaimed the eternal life manifested to him vs. 2
Had fellowship with the Father and Son vs.3
Desired others to have the same fellowship so their joy would be complete vs. 3-4
John is the author, though he is not named

3. I John Recipients
Believers: they say they have fellowship with Him (1:6) and confess their sins (1:9)
They already knew the truth (2:21)
There were false prophets trying to deceive them (2:26, 3:7)
John considered himself a father-figure to them calling them “little children” 7 times!

4. WHY John wrote John wrote so that his joy would be complete 1:4
He wrote about what he had seen, touched, looked at and heard from Jesus 1:1
He desired for others to have the same fellowship with the Father and Son 1:3
He wrote so they would not sin 2:1
Wrote a new and old commandment 2:7-8
Wrote to fathers, young men and children 2:12-14

5. WHY John wrote
He wrote to believers because they knew the truth, but some were trying to deceive them 2:21, 26
**He wrote so they would KNOW that they have eternal life** 5:13
Author’s purpose: to Know that they have eternal life, not sin and know the truth
Historical setting: between 85 & 95 AD, BEFORE Revelation.

6. I John 1 Key word in this chapter: Sin repeated 5 times
Jesus’ blood cleanses from all sin those who have fellowship with Him 1:7
Those denying their sin are deceived 1:8
Those who confess it are forgiven and cleansed 1:9

7. I John 2 Key words: Know and Abide mostly used
Wrote so that believers would not sin 2:1
But IF we sin, we have an Advocate 2:1
Is sin now a choice then?
Our sins have been forgiven 2:12
You can know you abide in Him by walking as He did 2:3,6
The one who loves his brother ABIDES in the Light 2:10
Don’t love the world 2:15

8. I John 2 Warning about antichrists in the world 2:18
Warning about deceivers 2:26
Encouragement to let what they had heard from the beginning, abide in them 2:24
Message: eternal life 1:2, 2:25
There is an anointing every believer has from the Holy One. It abides in you. 2:27
It teaches you truth: not lies 2:27

9. I John 3 Key Words: Sin and Know Sin is lawlessness 3:4
No one who abides in sin knows Him 3:6
Don’t be deceived: those who practice righteousness, are His children 3:7
Love shows that a person abides in life 3:14
No murderer has eternal life abiding in him 3:15
How did they know they would be like Jesus when He appears? 3:2
2 Cor. 3:18 Rom. 8:29

10. I John 4 Test the spirits to see if they are from God 4:1
Spirit of God contrasted with the spirit of the antichrist – false prophets 4:3
Jesus has come in the flesh 4:2 Gnosticism
Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God 4:7-8
God is love. We love because He first loved us 4:8, 19
By this we know that we abide in Him 4:13

11. I John 5 How can one know those born of God? 5:1 Love His children 5:1
Love: which equals keeping His commands 5:2
Overcome the world by faith 5:4
Believe the testimony about Jesus which equals eternal life 5:11
We have confidence in asking 5:14
Do not continue in sin 5:16-19
To know Jesus is to have life 5:20

12. 2 John John introduced himself as the elder vs. 1
The elect lady and her children are the recipients vs. 1
They are walking in the truth vs. 4
The commandment from the beginning is that they love one another vs. 5
Warning against deceivers, antichrists vs. 7
Jesus coming in the flesh vs. 7
Abide in the teaching of Christ vs. 9
John hoped to see them vs. 12

13. 2 John At A Glance Theme: Walk in Truth and love: don’t be deceived
Vs Abide in the Truth
Vs Walk in the Truth
Vs Abide in Christ’s Teaching
Vs Joy made full
Vs. 13 Fellow children greet you
For the church today: Know the truth and live in it. Watch yourselves, so you’re not deceived.

14. 3 John
The elder, to Gaius, a beloved brother who was walking in the truth vs. 1
No greater joy, than to hear of his children walking in the truth vs. 3
Gaius loved the church and ministered to the believers vs. 6-8
Diotrephes was a contrast to Gaius vs. 9
Didn’t acknowledge John’s authority
Accused them unjustly with wicked words
Did not receive the brethren
Forbade and cast out those who did vs. 10

15. 3 John Gaius was told to imitate good, not evil vs. 11
Demetrius was another good example to follow vs. 12
John hoped to visit soon vs. 14

16. 3 John At A Glance Theme: Support Fellow Workers for the Truth
Vs. 1 Love the Truth
Vs. 2-4 Future – children walking in the Truth
Vs. 5-8 Send & Support fellow workers with the Truth
Vs Call attention to deeds of unjust
Vs Imitate good, true testimony
Vs Personal interaction
Vs. 15 Peace