1. Survey of 1 John

2. I. General information

3. New Testament General Letters
James through Jude

4. Author John as guided by the Holy Spirit
Was one of the original 12 apostles.
Was one of the inner circle of the apostles (Peter, James, & John).
Was the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” John 13:23

5. Near the end of the 1st century, John was exiled to the island of Patmos.
John authored five books of the New Testament.
• John
• 1 John
• 2 John
• 3 John
• Revelation

6. To Whom Written
“It is not addressed to any one individual or church, but, like the gospel of John, it is universal. John frequently covers subjects and then comes back to the same topic.”

7. Why it was written
1. So that John could share his joy in the fellowship of God
2. To keep them from sin
3. To lead them to an assurance of salvation
4. To warn them against error

8. Brief outline John wrote in order that Christians might have:
Chap. 1 – victory over sin
Chap. 2 – victory over Satan
Chap. 3 – victory of righteous living

9. Chap. 4 – victory of love
Chap. 5 – victory of faith which overcomes the world

10. II. Expanded outline of 1 John

11. Chapter One.
a. Introduction-I: 1-4.
b. Conditions for Fellowship with God-1 :5-7.
c. Sin and Forgiveness for Christians-1 :8-10.

12. Chapter Two.
a. Our Advocate with the Father-2: 1-2.
b. Tests of a Christian-2:3-6.
c. New and Old Commandments-2:7-11.
d. Instructions to Children, Young Men, and Fathers-2:12-14.
e. Love Not the World-2:15-17.
f. Warnings Against Antichrists-2:18-29.

13. Chapter Three.
a. We are Children of God-3:1-2.
b. Origin and Characteristics of Sinful Conduct-3:3-12.
c. Love and Hatred Contrasted-3:13-24.

14. Chapter Four. a. The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error in Contrast-4: 1-6. b. God' Lave-4: 7-11 c. God’s love perfected in us – 4:12-14 d. Love’s influence in our lives – 4:15-21

15. a. Tests of Faith and Love-5:1-12.
Chapter 5
a. Tests of Faith and Love-5:1-12.
b. Another Purpose of the Epistle-5:13-15.
c. The Sin unto Death-5: 16-17
d. Divine Assurances-5:18-21
(Bob Winton)

16. III. Some key passages from 1 John

17. 1 Jn. 1:7-9
[7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

18. 1 Jn. 2:1-2
[1] My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: [2] And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

19. 1 Jn. 2:3-4
[3] And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. [4] He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

20. 1 Jn. 2 :15-17
[15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

21. 1 Jn. 3:1-3
[1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. [2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. [3] And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

22. 1 Jn. 3:18
[18] My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

23. 1 Jn. 4:1
[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

24. 1 Jn. 4:7-8
[7] Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. [8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

25. 1 Jn. 5:16
[16] If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.

26. 1 Jn. 5:21
[21] Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

27. Conclusion
1 Jn. 5:3
[3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.