1 John Bible Studies
1 John 1:5-2:2

The Key to Life

1 John 1:5-2:2

See the article on 1 John 1:5-2:2 for answers.

Bible Study Questions

A. What is God Really Like? (1 John 1:5)

And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

1. How would you answer someone who asked you to describe God? What difference does what you believe about God make in your life?

2. In review of 1 John 1:1-4, how would you summarize John’s perspective of the church of God?

3. What truth does John state about God in 1:5? Why might he use this one key word to summarize ‘the message we have heard from Him?”

4. What does it mean in 1:5 that ‘God is light?’ What does it mean when there is not darkness in Him at all? (Suggestion: use the illustration of the sun).

5. John in 1:5 infers people believe different things about God than that He is light. What other things do people believe about God?

6. Why do you think that John summarizes the message of God by stating that He is light rather than Him being love? What is the problem with those who believe that God is best defined by love?

B. What do we really believe? (1 John 1:6-10)

6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

7. What word is at the beginning of each of the verses 6-10?

8. How are the statements in 6, 8,10 the same?

9. In 1:6,8,10 John identifies faulty beliefs of so-called Christians. In the follow statements, see how the person’s perspectives are related to the verse. State the right perspective.

a. (6) You don’t need to worry about what they say in church. You believe Christ died for you, don’t you?  Well just come and have some fun at the party.

b. (8) What you do with your body doesn’t really matter. It is what you do with your pure spirit that makes the difference.

c. (10) Look at those sinners out there. I can’t understand why they are like that. They should be more like us.

10.  Rephrase 1 John 1:7 in your own words as clear as possible.

11.  On the basis of 1 John 1:7, how would you counsel a person who said that God would never expect a person to be holy like God.

12.  On the basis of 1:7, if a person said (rightly), ‘Once saved, always saved’ but lived as the world, how should you respond to them?

13.  What is biblical confession? Does this refer to confession that leads to salvation (What gives you the relationship with God) or confession that leads to maintaining ones relationship with God. Does it matter?

14.  If you would lead someone to the Lord, what truths in this passage could you point to and use to do it?

C. How can I find help? (1 John 2:1-2)

My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

15.  What does John call the readers of his letter in 2:1? What might that mean?

16.  Why does he say that he is writing to them here in 2:1? How does that differ from 1:4? Is there any connection between the two statements? If so, what is it?

17.  What recourse do we have if anyone sins? What does it mean that Jesus Christ is our ‘Advocate with the Father’?

18.  Look up the word propitiation in the dictionary. What does it mean? How does Christ appease the Father? How is this connected with God’s redemptive plan?

19.  Some people believe 1 John 2:2 speaks about God’s forgiveness of everyone. Is this what is being said here? How do you know?

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Special Reflection & Questions on "also for those of the whole world" (1 John 2:2).

Depending upon the understanding of your readers, one can get into a full discussion of the atonement. Limited atonement teaches that Christ was a propitiation only for those in God’s family. Further questions for this advanced group can be as follows.

20. Who is it said that Christ is the propitiation for (2:2)?

21. Why does John stress ‘but also for those of the whole world?”

22. What is the difference between unlimited and limited atonement? Does it make a difference? If so, how?

See the message on 1 John 1:5-2:2 for answers.