BIBLE STUDYING

[tenderhearted]

AUGUST 7TH LORD'S DAY

STUDY ON 1,2,3, JOHN

Week One:
2 Peter 1:16
1 John 1:1-3

Compare the opening statements . In what ways are these similar .
What is your respond when you read that John Actually saw, heard, and touched Jesus?

Why do you think John opening statement was important to the second generation believers to whom he was writing to?

What specific evidence have reassured you that the power and coming of Jesus is no "fairy tale".
On what do you base your belief in Jesus?

What message does John declare in V5 of 1 John 1. List as many characteristics of "light as you can"

What warning signals might you experience when you begin to walk in the darkness

what two promises do we receive if we walk in the light as God is in the light
V7 of 1 John 1

How does walking in the light make it easier for us to have fellowship with other believers.

What was the fellowship between John and Peter based on? What could be the basis of fellowship for you and other believers

Have you recently experienced a time when your fellowship with God and with another believer filled you with joy?

With the help of the Holy SPirit , what strategy will you plan for dealing with your sin so that you can experience intimacy with God.

List some specific things you can do to deepen your sharing and become more honest and encouraging in your relationship with other believers.

Read 1 John

1 What does the text establish about truth/light and falsehood/darkness?
About sin/purity and moral absolutes? About the Spirit? About Who Jesus is?

2. What are some of the truths that stand out to you

3. What does it mean to you and your relationship with God and with others?

4. Mediation? Write down a heart to heart prayer each day responding to God concerning any pionts that he spoke to you through His WOrd.

[tenderhearted]

Week two STUDY 1,2,3 JOHN

SESSION #2 1 JOHN 1:8-2:2

READ PSALMS 19:7 to 14

How do we tend to claim that we are with out sin?

According to V8 & 10, what are the implications of claiming sinlessness?

Being memerized with things of the world can keep us from being aware of the sin and what God wants of us? How?

How can we keep short accounts with God? What kind of practical habits can we build into our lives to cause turn our backs on sin and focus on Jesus?

What increases your fellowship with God? What decreases it? What can you do to experience the joy of his presence more continuously?

Day 1: Read 1 John 1:8-2:2
Read Psalms 32:1-5
Write out the words for sin.

Day 2: Read 1 John 1:8-2:2
Read Psalm 19

Compare the two passages.

Sometimes we sin for no other reason than personal weakness or insecurity?
What are some other reasons you can think of? What does it mean to you?

Day 3: Read 1 John 1:8-2:2
Read Proverbs 6:16-19
Compare the two passages.

Read Jeremiah 7:9-10
       Ecclesiastes 9:3
       Mark 7:21-23
       James 3:5-12
In what areas do you know you have a tendency toward sinfulness?
When was the last time sin surprised you. Describe the situation?

Some people who have been forgiven by God struggle with receiving that forgiveness or forgiving themselves. Is there an area in your life where you are experiencing this struggle?
Why do you think we have trouble believing and receiving grace?

Day 4
Think about how disagreements can affect your relationships?
How does reluctance to admit wrong doing widen the gap between you and those you love?
How does genuine apology close it?

How does our response to sin affect our relationship with God.
Write down examples from personal experiences.

Day 5: Prayerfully Read 1 John 1:8-2:2

If we sin Jesus will speak to the Father in our defence>
What picture does this description of Jesus brings to mind.
Who is accusing us?
Why is Jesus able to defend us?

[tenderhearted]

It has been a beautiful time and day.

For those who wish to follow along with the Bible study of 1 John. Here is week three and the homework I am in the process of completing of tomorrow nights study.:.......Lenore

WEEK 3

1 John 2:3-14

Mediation: Psalm 119:1-16

Review:

We are praying that God will speak to us through His Word. Our job as we look into His word is to listen for Him and to respond. We like to hear something God has impressed on you and perhaps some action you are taking in response.

Some reasons we win are rebellion, personal weakness or insecurity. Were you able to think of some other reasons?

Have you ever experienced a struggle receiving God's forgiveness. Why do you think this is?

We can liken sin to illness, although SIN IS NOT AN ILLNESS.  Example of Svend Robinson taking the expensive jewelry. When he apologized when he was caught stealing, said something in the line of I don't know what came over me.
The ROOT CAUSE HE DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE . Confessing and repenting from the surface symptoms isnt enough. We must deal with the Root.
Name some sins and consider the root causes that produces them.

HOMEWORK #1
Jot down any root sins you see in your life and sincerely ask God to do his work in your life in that area.
You may want to take some time at home to ask God to reveal these thing to you and submit yourself to God's treatment.

Study: 1 John 2:3-14
1. How does our passage describe the nature of our relationship with God?
2. What are the results of our relationship with God?

HOMEWORK #2

We are so blessed!
Sometimes it's right in our face and we don't see it. Blessing is what empowers us.
Our earthly fathers may have blessed us only very incomplete ways, but our Heavenly Father has blessed us immeasurably.

EPHESIANS 1:3

WE DON'T HAVE TO FEEL DEPRIVED IF WE LACK ANY EARTHLY BLESSINGS.
God himself has made up for it.

READ EPHESIANS 1:3-14
WRITE down all the ways in which God has blessed us.
Find a quiet spot and mediate on these blessings.
Write a prayer pouring out your heart to God in thankfulness for all He has done for you.

3. What is our motivation for obedience? Why is this so important? What are some of God's commands? Are these things burdensome? In what ways do we sometimes act as if they were?

HOMEWORK #3
We spent a lot of time talking about sin. If we do not understand the depth of our sinfulness before our holy God we will never under the wonder of what Christ has done for us and the magnitude of God's forgiveness.

READ LUKE 7:36-50

Picture yourself as the woman in this story.
Weep at Jesus' feet.
Love Him.
See how much you have been forgiven.
RE READ VERSES 47-50.
Write a response to God in your journal

4. What does our passage say about knowing God. 1 John 2:3-14. What things characterize the person who knows God. How does Jesus demonstrate these characteristics?

HOMEWORK #4

The word use for know in our passage is ginosko. Study the meaning and usage of this Greek work. Compare with other words for Know.

GREEK STRONG'S NUMBER 1097
VINES' EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF NEW TESTAMENT WORDS

READ 2 PETER 3:18
Ask the Lord to show you how to grow in knowing Him.

5.  It has been observed that while Jesus was on Earth, he never utilized any power that wasn't also available to us. He identified completely with our weakness and his deity was hidden. He spent much time in Scripture and in prayer getting instructions from the Father. He relied on the power of the Holy Spirit. We know He is God , not because no one else on Earth has the power to do the miracles He did, but because by the miracles, God testified that His claim was true.
Why is understanding this important as we consider the command to be like Christ?

HOMEWORK #5

John makes a strong statement 1 John 2:6.
What is it?
How did Jesus live?
Think of some passages.
READ: PHILIPPIANS 2:5-8, JOHN 6:38; JOHN 8:28-29,
Can you find some more.

5. What is the old/new commandment? V8 states its truth is seen in him [Christ} and you. In what ways have you seen Christians show the love of Christ? How do we show our love for God? What actions can we take so that the truth of love and light will be seen in us as it was in Christ? How can we better love each other? How do we show love for non believers around us and around the world? Persecuted Christians.

[tenderhearted]

August 21st HAPPY LORD'S DAY TO YOU ALL:

Here is Week Four of 1 John Bibles Study;

PRINT IT OUT AND FOLLOW ALONG.

Lenore
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

WEEK FOUR BIBLE  STUDY

PRAYERFUL BEGINNINGS:
Ask God to bless our study time together with discernment and enlightment
PSALM 119:17-24

LAST WEEK'S HOMEWORK: Review our findings together
-ROOT SINS - our struggle
-BLESSINGS -our empowerment through Christ
-depth of our SINFULNESS vs the wonder of Jesus' SACRIFICE
-growing in KNOWLEDGE THROUGH GOD
-"walk even as He walked" 1 John 2:16

WORD STUDY:  'WORD' AND 'TRUTH"

THIS WEEK PASSAGE: 1 John 2:15-17

1. A hard truth:
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".
-What does it mean to LOVE THE WORLD in this passage?
If we walk loving the world, the love of the Father is not in us.  WHY?
{SEE MATTHEW 6:24}

HOMEWORK:
Define the "world".
It is important to understand the use of the word in this context as it is different from the use of the same word in Ps: 24:1 and in Jn 3:16.
How does this fit with 2 Cor. 6:17?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE?

2: Values and valuable:
God's values/valuables verses the world's values/valuables.
What does the world see as so important and valuable compared to what the Word wants us to value?

HOMEWORK:
The Greek word "kosmos" is used for the world here. My NIV Study Bible  led me to a note in Rev 13:8 as follows:
"In the sense of the present world system, the ethically bad sense of the word refers to the order or arrangement under which Satan has organized the world of unbelieving mankind upon his cosmic principles of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure. This world system is imposing and powerful with military might, is often outwardly religious, scientific, cultured and elegant; but seething with national and commercial rivalries and ambitions, is upheld in any real crisis only by armed force, and is dominated by satanic principles.
HOW DO WE SEE THIS ACTED OUT ON THE PRESENT DAY STAGE?
HOW DOES IT AFFECT US AS INDIVIDUALS?

3.Things of the world:
- Lust of the flesh - senses/cravings
- Lust of the eyes - covetousness
- Pride of life - ambition, acclaim, boastfulness

LIST SOME SPECIFIC AND CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES OF THE ABOVE
'THINGS OF THE WORLD'

HOMEWORK:
Do a word study on "lust" and "pride"


4. Lust of the flesh:
Obsession with things that the world would have us believe we need to satisfy our senses: entertainment as an example.
DISCUSS THE PRESENT DAY EFFECTS OF JUST THIS ONE 'LUST OF THE FLESH' UPON SOCIETY!
Being mesmerized by the world and how easy it is for Satan to bait us into his way with seemly innocuous things.

HOMEWORK:
HOW DOES RECREATION {which recreates the body, mind and spirit} DIFFER FROM ENTERTAINMENT?
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE PULL OF WORLDLY ENTERTAINMENT?
WOULD YOU TAKE JESUS ALONG TO EVERYTHING YOU FIND ENTERTAINING?

5: Lust of the eyes:
Matthew Henry called the lust of the eyes "covetousness" Satan uses our eyes to attract us to sin. He said that being covetous costs us because:
-we lose the power of the Holy Spirit as we are too busy being covetous to listen to the Spirit's leading.
-we quench the Holy Spirit because we are allowing our thoughts to dwell on the lusts of the flesh instead of asking the Holy Spirit to hold every thought captive,
-we are cut off from God's word as we focus on the lust of the eyes instead of fastening our eyes on the wisdom and preciousness of God's word.

HOMEWORK:
READ 2 PETER 1:3 and ask God to show you HOW YOU CAN BATTLE THE PULL OF THIS WORLD'S PLEASURE THROUGH HIS HELP

6: Pride of Life:
Someone once said the PRIDE is the root of all sin?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
HOW DOES THIS MANIFEST ITSELF?

HOMEWORK:
Look up passages concerning "pride" and do or review your word study on it.
WHAT DOES IT SPEAK TO IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?
Humbly ask God to turn the searchlight of His truth into every corner of your heart and help you see where "pride goes before a fall"

[31 passages in reference to pride]

7. The Fleeting vs The Eternal:
"The world and its desire pass away but the man that does the will of God lives forever"
[1 John 2:17 NIV]
Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
WHAT LEADS TO RENEWAL AND FULFILLMENT?
GIVE EXAMPLES OF PURSUITS THAT HAVE ETERNAL VALUE.

HOMEWORK:
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP ONE ANOTHER CONTINUALLY VALUE WHAT GOD VALUES RATHER THAN WHAT THE WORLD VALUES?
FIND PASSAGES TO SUPPORT YOUR EXAMPLE?
WHAT ETERNAL PURSUITS HAS GOD LAID ON YOUR HEART TO FOLLOW THIS SEASON OF YOUR LIFE.

FOR YOUR PERSONAL JOURNAL:

8. WARNING:

THIS WORLD IS GOING TO PASS AWAY:

As believers in the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have been forgiven, we know the Father and His Word lives in us and YET OUR LIVES CAN BE UNFRUITFUL IF WE GIVE OUR HEARTS OVER TO TRANSITORY PURSUITS OF THIS WORLD?

DO YOU SEE A SPECIFIC WARNING FOR YOU IN VS. 17?

WHAT CAN YOU DO ON A DAILY BASIS TO BETTER OBEY THE WILL OF GOD??

PRAYERFULLY ASK GOD TO GUIDE YOU AS YOU WORK THROUGH THIS QUESTION.

Our only hope in this life is to submit to God and immerse ourselves daily in Him.


 
 

[vernecarty]

August 21st HAPPY LORD'S DAY TO YOU ALL:

Here is Week Four of 1 John Bibles Study;

PRINT IT OUT AND FOLLOW ALONG.

Lenore
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

WEEK FOUR BIBLE  STUDY

PRAYERFUL BEGINNINGS:
Ask God to bless our study time together with discernment and enlightment
PSALM 119:17-24

LAST WEEK'S HOMEWORK: Review our findings together
-ROOT SINS - our struggle
-BLESSINGS -our empowerment through Christ
-depth of our SINFULNESS vs the wonder of Jesus' SACRIFICE
-growing in KNOWLEDGE THROUGH GOD
-"walk even as He walked" 1 John 2:16

WORD STUDY:  'WORD' AND 'TRUTH"

THIS WEEK PASSAGE: 1 John 2:15-17

1. A hard truth:
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".
-What does it mean to LOVE THE WORLD in this passage?
If we walk loving the world, the love of the Father is not in us.  WHY?
{SEE MATTHEW 6:24}

HOMEWORK:
Define the "world".
It is important to understand the use of the word in this context as it is different from the use of the same word in Ps: 24:1 and in Jn 3:16.
How does this fit with 2 Cor. 6:17?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE?

2: Values and valuable:
God's values/valuables verses the world's values/valuables.
What does the world see as so important and valuable compared to what the Word wants us to value?

HOMEWORK:
The Greek word "kosmos" is used for the world here. My NIV Study Bible  led me to a note in Rev 13:8 as follows:
"In the sense of the present world system, the ethically bad sense of the word refers to the order or arrangement under which Satan has organized the world of unbelieving mankind upon his cosmic principles of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure. This world system is imposing and powerful with military might, is often outwardly religious, scientific, cultured and elegant; but seething with national and commercial rivalries and ambitions, is upheld in any real crisis only by armed force, and is dominated by satanic principles.
HOW DO WE SEE THIS ACTED OUT ON THE PRESENT DAY STAGE?
HOW DOES IT AFFECT US AS INDIVIDUALS?

3.Things of the world:
- Lust of the flesh - senses/cravings
- Lust of the eyes - covetousness
- Pride of life - ambition, acclaim, boastfulness

LIST SOME SPECIFIC AND CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES OF THE ABOVE
'THINGS OF THE WORLD'

HOMEWORK:
Do a word study on "lust" and "pride"


4. Lust of the flesh:
Obsession with things that the world would have us believe we need to satisfy our senses: entertainment as an example.
DISCUSS THE PRESENT DAY EFFECTS OF JUST THIS ONE 'LUST OF THE FLESH' UPON SOCIETY!
Being mesmerized by the world and how easy it is for Satan to bait us into his way with seemly innocuous things.

HOMEWORK:
HOW DOES RECREATION {which recreates the body, mind and spirit} DIFFER FROM ENTERTAINMENT?
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE PULL OF WORLDLY ENTERTAINMENT?
WOULD YOU TAKE JESUS ALONG TO EVERYTHING YOU FIND ENTERTAINING?

5: Lust of the eyes:
Matthew Henry called the lust of the eyes "covetousness" Satan uses our eyes to attract us to sin. He said that being covetous costs us because:
-we lose the power of the Holy Spirit as we are too busy being covetous to listen to the Spirit's leading.
-we quench the Holy Spirit because we are allowing our thoughts to dwell on the lusts of the flesh instead of asking the Holy Spirit to hold every thought captive,
-we are cut off from God's word as we focus on the lust of the eyes instead of fastening our eyes on the wisdom and preciousness of God's word.

HOMEWORK:
READ 2 PETER 1:3 and ask God to show you HOW YOU CAN BATTLE THE PULL OF THIS WORLD'S PLEASURE THROUGH HIS HELP

6: Pride of Life:
Someone once said the PRIDE is the root of all sin?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
HOW DOES THIS MANIFEST ITSELF?

HOMEWORK:
Look up passages concerning "pride" and do or review your word study on it.
WHAT DOES IT SPEAK TO IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?
Humbly ask God to turn the searchlight of His truth into every corner of your heart and help you see where "pride goes before a fall"

[31 passages in reference to pride]

7. The Fleeting vs The Eternal:
"The world and its desire pass away but the man that does the will of God lives forever"
[1 John 2:17 NIV]
Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
WHAT LEADS TO RENEWAL AND FULFILLMENT?
GIVE EXAMPLES OF PURSUITS THAT HAVE ETERNAL VALUE.

HOMEWORK:
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP ONE ANOTHER CONTINUALLY VALUE WHAT GOD VALUES RATHER THAN WHAT THE WORLD VALUES?
FIND PASSAGES TO SUPPORT YOUR EXAMPLE?
WHAT ETERNAL PURSUITS HAS GOD LAID ON YOUR HEART TO FOLLOW THIS SEASON OF YOUR LIFE.

FOR YOUR PERSONAL JOURNAL:

8. WARNING:

THIS WORLD IS GOING TO PASS AWAY:

As believers in the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have been forgiven, we know the Father and His Word lives in us and YET OUR LIVES CAN BE UNFRUITFUL IF WE GIVE OUR HEARTS OVER TO TRANSITORY PURSUITS OF THIS WORLD?

DO YOU SEE A SPECIFIC WARNING FOR YOU IN VS. 17?

WHAT CAN YOU DO ON A DAILY BASIS TO BETTER OBEY THE WILL OF GOD??

PRAYERFULLY ASK GOD TO GUIDE YOU AS YOU WORK THROUGH THIS QUESTION.

Our only hope in this life is to submit to God and immerse ourselves daily in Him.


 
 

Thanks for sharing this message Lenore.  I read all of it and it is thought-provoking. Soemtimes we Christians have a hard time distinguishing bwtween the beauty of God's physical creation, and the evil and corrupt world system that constantly seeks to ensnare us and suborn our affections. Good post.
Verne

p.s  I missed the message today as I had to talk to the Junior-high kids about Uganda- where, how big, how many people, bordering countries, and praying for Mama Jackie and the home for AIDS orphans...
I also had the pleasure of finally meeting Eric Seward, a man who really stood up to George in the early days and paid the price of integrity...

[Oscar]

Verne,

You said,

I also had the pleasure of finally meeting Eric Seward, a man who really stood up to George in the early days and paid the price of integrity...

I cannot recall having heard that name before.  Perhaps the events to which you refer happened after my sojourn in the assembly system.

If it would not be violating a confidence, tell us what you are referring to.

Thomas Maddux

[vernecarty]

Verne,

You said,
I cannot recall having heard that name before.  Perhaps the events to which you refer happened after my sojourn in the assembly system.

If it would not be violating a confidence, tell us what you are referring to.

Thomas Maddux

Eric and Joy Seward were in the Tuscola assembly in the very early days Tom. I had heard the name, along with the Winnaborgs, as ones who had ultimately spotted George for the wolf he was. George was apparently able to rally the support of the other men against them and they left. I was quite astonished when Eric told me that George actually married him and Joy. I did not feel so bad about being baptized by the man, although I plan on having that re-done. 
Apparently Eric and Joy at some point attended the brethren church (Stratford Park Bible Chapel) we are now attending and I had no idea that he once actually lived in Champaign.
They were visiting there this past Sunday.
Eric is a brother with a noble and wonderful spirit and I was impressed with him immediately. I hope we can get to talk a bit more about the early history. I think I could learn a lot from the man. If any folk from the Tuscola assembly still reads and has more information please chime in.
After meeting Eric in person, I again felt a tremendous sadness over the way we slandered and besmirched the reputation of men like these. May God have mercy on us for our sin. Some of us simply did not know any better.There has been wonderful reconciliation with some of the Springfield folk who were around back then.
Eric said the last time he tried to talk to George he hung up the phone  on him; he still wants to talk with him...he is a better man than I....

How long, Lord...?
Verne


p.s. Men like Eric Seward and Bob Winnaborg and their witness are critical to our proper understanding of the assembly era and what happened to us. They put the lie to the idiot notion that no one could really know George for what he truly was.
It shows how remarkably foolish some folk are who after all that was disclosed and knowing the history of this place, could tell us smugly about George being "the Lord's servant"??!!
There were others like Chuck Miller and John Malone who had discernment.
We need to acknowledge our spiritual weakness, timidity and immaturity, not make excuses!

p.p.s. O.K folks, I am not bashing folk becasue we were deceived by Geftakys- afterall I was also!
I am simply saying that after the information came out, along with his ex-communication and reflection on our own part of what we personally knew about the assemblies, to get on a public BB and proclaim him "The Lord's servant" means you are a total dimwit...
Those continuing to enable and receive him are certainly cursed with a curse....

 

[tenderhearted]

PRINT AND FOLLOW ALONG(I know I am early, but I was emailed the lesson this week)
God Bless you this weekend . Lenore

BIBLE STUDY #5                                                                             AUGUST 22, 2005

 

PRAYERFUL BEGINNINGS:  Psalm 119:33-40

                                                      Read & Pray for His guidance and leading tonight.

 

LAST WEEK’S HOMEWORK:     

Meditation:  1 John 2:15-17

 

Do not love the world or anything in the world.

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For everything in the world –

the cravings of sinful man,

the lust of his eyes

and the boasting of what he has and does –

comes not from the Father

but from the world.

The world and its desires pass away,

but the man who does the will of God

lives forever.



Share truths that you found to be a special blessing.
=========================================


STICK TO THE ORIGINAL - IGNORE “THE NEW & IMPROVED” TEACHINGS!


THIS WEEK’S PASSAGE:  1 John 2: 18-27

 
INTRODUCTION:

 

 “Little Children”  - John addresses the readers in a very tender fashion, calling them “My little children.”  He sets the scene of life as in an intimate family setting with God as our Father and we as the children.  He portrays our sins as a child’s offense against his Father which is then dealt with as a family matter.  The child’s offense is covered by Jesus, the Son of God, the Righteous One, who is now the “one who speaks to the Father in our defense.”  John leads us across the threshold of the Father’s house and helps us to feel at home there. (Paraphrased from the NIV Study Bible’s introduction to 1 John.)   

 

John, in his role of older brother/uncle/leader/mentor writes to “his little children” to warn them that these are hard times and there are people and new religions (such as  Gnostics) arising who will seek to lead them astray.

                                                         

1 John 2:18-19- ANTICHRISTS:     

 

Barclay explains that the antichrist can mean either an open opponent of Christ or one who subtly tries to take the place of Christ from within the church and the Christian community.

(William Barclay, The Letter of John & Jude, Philadelphia: Westminister, 1976, p.61)

 

Unger explains that these antichrists are the forerunners of the Antichrist, “a sinister demon-inspired leader who will rise to dominate the world in the end-time, persecute the saints, seek to destroy the Jew and banish the name of God and His Christ from the earth and thus take over.”

            -(Merrrill Unger, Unger’s Bible Dictionary, Chicago: Moody, 1957, p.68).

 

1. What time is it?
  Who is coming?
 Who is already here? 

John feared them then, some  2000 years ago,      who would those people be in this present day?
 What shows that  these people are not and never were genuine Christians?
  What counter-Christian ways  of thinking might tend to make their way into our minds and affect our relationships  and actions (both within and outside the church?)

                                                                                                           
1 John 2: 20-21 - REASSURANCE:

In all his writing, John consistently contrasts the complete truthfulness of the Father against the persistent lies of the “father of lies”; that being Satan.  Dee Brestin, in her study of 1,2,3 John points out that “the lies of the antichrists are not confined to the cult member that approaches your door or stops you  in the airport.  If we believe that the spirit of the Antichrist is that limited, we are apt to be deceived..”  John tells us clearly in 1John 5:19 that “the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”   We must be ever on guard against his wiles.

 

2.  What assurance does John give his readers?
  What does vs 20 say about “the anointing of the Holy Spirit”?  Discuss this in light of 2 Cor 1:21.

 

1 John 2:22-23 - THE ULTIMATE LIE

The ultimate lie denies the true identity of Jesus (Jehovah saves)  the Christ (the Messiah) and that His death and resurrection was the complete and absolute atonement for the sins of all mankind.

This denial of Jesus is prevalent today, just as it was back in the time of John.

 

3. Apart from cults, how do we see the ultimate lie in our present day society?

 

 4.  If someone says “I don’t believe everything you believe about Jesus but I believe everything you believe about God.” -
          why would this be an impossible statement    according to 1 John 2:23.

 
5. “....whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.”

    The Greek word for acknowledge means “to become fully acquainted with.”
  How does this differ from merely identifying Jesus as the demon did in Mark 1:23-24?

 

1 John 2:24-27 - REMAIN IN HIM

Every translation of the our Bibles tells us to remain in Him in one word or another:  “remain”     (abide - KJV,RSV; live continually - Phillips; rooted in Him, knit to Him - AMP)

6.  What practical advice do you think John would give to ensure that you remain in     Him in our daily life in 2005?

 

HOMEWORK:

 

1.         If someone came to you with a new and improved version of the Gospel, how would you respond?
 Could you explain clearly and lovingly the key points of the Gospel message as taught by the apostles?
 See if you can give a clear one-minute presentation by answering the following questions.
 Feel free to present it next week as if you were actually answering a non-believer using the following questions:

            What is the nature of God?

 

            What is humanity’s basic problem?

 

            What is God’s solution?

 

            What must a person do to be made right with God?

 
2.         Throughout his letter, John gives several warning signs to help us guard against false teachers and against those who claim to be Christians but are counterfeit.  What is the warning sign in each of the following verses:

 

            2:4

 

            2:9       

 

            2:15

 

            2:19

 

            2:22

 

            2:23

 

            3:10

 

            4:3

 

            4:5

 

            4:6

 

            4:20

 

3.   What have you learned (when we “learn”, we gain “knowledge” – keep in mind the

       meaning of “knowledge” we discovered) so far in this study that can be applied to

       your life right now to help you stand in the evil day? 

 

4.  Read 1 John 2:24-27.  Re-read it and consider how to “remain” in Christ.

 

Word study:  Greek word  “meno”:


Greek Strong's Number: 3306

Transliteration: meno

Phonetic Pronunciation: men'-o

Root: a root word

Cross Reference: TDNT - 4:574,581

Part of Speech: v

Vines Words: Abide, Abode, Continue, Continuance, Dwell, Dwellers, Dwelling, Endure, Enduring, Remain, Stand, Standing, Stood, Tarry

 

 

Usage Notes:

 

English Words used in KJV:

abide 61
remain 16
dwell 15
continue 11
tarry 9
endure 3
misc 5
[Total Count: 120]

 

1) to remain, abide

1a) in reference to place

1a1) to sojourn, tarry
1a2) not to depart

1a2a) to continue to be present
1a2b) to be held, kept, continually

1b) in reference to time

1b1) to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure

1b1a) of persons, to survive, live

1c) in reference to state or condition

1c1) to remain as one, not to become another or different

2) to wait for, await one

 

-         Highlight the meanings that are most applicable in our context.

-         Read the following cross references and jot down insights on the command to remain in Christ:  John 15:1-10, John 14:15-17.

-         Write a prayer asking God to help you to abide in him in a more complete way, considering some concrete things you can do to accomplish this.

       

[tenderhearted]

Hi All:

Here is Bible Study #6.

Instead of being a week behind, you will now be caught up to the Study Group.

PRINT AND FOLLOW ALONG...IF YOU HAVE AN SPECIAL INSIGHT ...??

STUDY #6: 1 JOHN 2:28-3:10
 

INTRODUCTION:

 

Meditation/Prayer:  Psalm 119:41-56

 

HOMEWORK:  Chose a thought or two from Psalm 119:41-56 and pray it to God each day in preparation for your study time.  Then, pray it again at the end, asking God to help you apply those things He lays on your heart.

 

Review:  Read 1John 2:18-27

 

Homework Discussion:

 

1.      Read John 15:1-10.  Share something that became meaningful to you while studying about abiding in Christ.

2.      What are some concrete ways you can abide/remain in Christ more fully?

3.      A prevalent attitude among church-goers is “trust the professionals.”  Why is this so dangerous?

 

STUDY:  1 JOHN 2:28-3:10:  (Read)

 

FROM ANDREW MURRAY:  He often prayed, "May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love, and joy of God's presence and may not a moment without the entire surrender of my self as a vessel for Him to fill full of His Spirit and His love."
Abiding in Christ was the cornerstone to Andrew Murray's life and ministry. He writes: "Abide in Jesus: your life in Him will lead you to that fellowship with God in which the only true knowledge of God is to be had. His love, His power, His infinite glory will, as you abide in Jesus, be so revealed as it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive." 

 

1.      Do you ever wonder how you will give account to Jesus?  Will you be confident or ashamed?  According to verse 28, how can we be confident?

2.      Compare again with John 15:1-10:  What is the ONLY way a branch can bear fruit?  What is the ONLY way we can do “what is right”?  Discuss those things we do on our own and expect him to bless as compared to the things we trust the Lord to accomplish through us.  Can you give concrete examples?

HOMEWORK: 

Spend some time with the Lord meditating on John 15:1-10 and 1 John 2:28-29.  Ask Him to show you those things He has in mind for you and write down your response to Him.  You may want to plan in a practical way how you can obey Him in this. 

3.      According to 1 John 3:1-3, who are we?  Who are we not?  What will we be?  What do we need to do now as a result? 

4.      How do these thoughts affect how we need to relate to non-believers?  Read John 15:18-25. 

HOMEWORK:  Verse1 says, “… The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”  Find some passages in the New Testament that show us how “the world” related to Jesus.  Read again John15:18-25.  Does this passage make you feel uncomfortable as it does me?  Jot down some of the points of discomfort in your journal and commit them to the Lord.  Ask Him to help you deal with these things. 

Now see if you can find some passages showing our responsibility to non-believers.  What should my attitude, action and response to them be?  I am anxious to see what you find.   

5.      I look forward to heaven for many reasons.  I want to see Jesus.  When I look into scripture, I pray, “Show me Jesus.”  Then I will see Him face to face.  It’s enough to make me cry.  Another reason is that I will be like Him.  I also long to be free from sin and its effects (although by faith freedom from sin is already in process.)  Romans 8:20-21 says, “…everything on earth was subjected to God’s curse.  All creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.”   Read 1 John 3:3-10. 

6.      For Session #2, we did a word study on different Hebrew words denoting sin in Psalm 32.  Let’s take a look at the Greek word used in 1 John. 

Transliteration: hamartano

Phonetic Pronunciation: ham-ar-tan'-o

Root: perhaps from <G1> (as a negative particle) and the base of <G3313>

Cross Reference: TDNT - 1:267,44

Part of Speech: v

Vines Words: Sin, Trespass

 

 

Usage Notes:

 

English Words used in KJV:

sin 38
trespass 3
offend 1
for your faults 1
[Total Count: 43]

 

1) to be without a share in

2) to miss the mark

3) to err, be mistaken

4) to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong

5) to wander from the law of God, violate God's law, sin

 

HOMEWORK:  Highlight the meanings of the word that express the meaning of the word in our text.  How is sin defined in this passage?  In your journal, write a summary of 1 John 3:3-10.  What is John really saying here? 

       

[tenderhearted]

September 5th

I am apologizing in advance, because this week study is a long one. So there will be a Part I and a Part II of STUDY NUMBER 7 of 1 John. ..............Lenore

PART ONE STUDY #7

STUDY #7:  1 JOHN 3:11-24 


INTRODUCTION

Meditation/Prayer:  Psalm 119:57-80

Read 1 John 3:11-24



HOMEWORK:   At the beginning of your daily study, read Psalm 119:81-96. 

                                        Write down in your journal as a prayer those verses you would

                                         like to pray back to God. 



REVIEW/HOMEWORK DISCUSSION:



1.    Discuss the following homework assignment from this past week:

Verse1 says, ". The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him."  Find some passages in the New Testament that show us how "the world" related to Jesus.  Read again John15:18-25.  Does this passage make you feel uncomfortable as it does me?  Jot down some of the points of discomfort in your journal and commit them to the Lord.  Ask Him to help you deal with these things.



Now see if you can find some passages showing our responsibility to non-believers.  What should my attitude, action and response to them be?  I am anxious to see what you find.   



2.    Read John 15:1-12 and discuss the following questions: 

- What actions on our part are shown here as conditions of a fruitful life?

        - What is God's part in our bearing fruit?

            - Briefly discuss any insights on each action.

   

3.    A quote on John 15:4 taken from the NIV Study Bible to help us understand how

      to ABIDE IN/REMAIN IN/DWELL IN/BE UNITED/ABIDE VITALLY

      UNITED WITH CHRIST:



To remain in Christ is, on the one hand, to have no known sin unjudged and unconfessed, no interest into which He is not brought, no life which He cannot share.  On the other hand, the "remaining" one takes all burdens to Him, and draws all wisdom, life, and strength from Him.  It is not unceasing consciousness of these things, and of Him, but nothing is allowed in the life which separates us from Him.



            If I look to anyone or anything other than Christ to meet any of these needs in my

            life, then that other person or thing is taking the place of God in my life.  What is

            that called?



            Read Exodus 20:4 and Jeremiah 17:5-10.  In what ways are we guilty of

            committing idolatry?



HOMEWORK:  Meditate again on Exodus 20:4 and Jeremiah 17:5-10.  Spend some time with the Lord and ask Him to show you in what ways you are guilty of idolatry.  Write a response to Him in your journal and ask him to help you fully abide in Christ.  Jot down any specific things that come to mind.  Read 1 John 3:11-24 and outline/paraphrase in your journal what this text says about what our true worship of God needs to be like.         



       3.  Read 1 John 1:7-9.  The NIV Study Bible note on 1 John 1:7 states,

            To walk in the light is to live in fellowship with the Father and the son.   Sin   

            interrupts fellowship but cannot change the relationship.  Confession restores

            fellowship and immeditate confession keeps the fellowship unbroken.



According to verse 7, what is the condition to this being the case about a person?

How would you actively go about or not go about "purifying" yourself?

 

In Linguistic Key to the New Testament, Fritz Rienecker comments,

 

The conditional clauses in vv.7,9 introduce the hypothesis of present and continuous Christian life, "on the supposition that we are walking or confessing" (Abbott, 372).  "Walking in the light" is the conscious and sustained endeavor to live a life in conformity with the revelation of God, who is "light," esp. as that revelation has been made finally and completely in Jesus Christ, and this is the necessary condition of fellowship (Brooke).

 



HOMEWORK:  In part, "Remaining" happens by being fully focused on God and His Word.  Meditate on Phil. 4:4-8.  Ask the Lord to show you from this passage how you can better do this.   



   4.  Consider Jonah, Asa (2 Chronicles 14-16, esp. ch.16), and Amaziah

        (2 Chronicles 25:1-2, 14-24, 2 Kings14:8-14) for examples of people who

         were compromised in their obedience, and consequently in their "abiding."  Think

        of some good examples of people who obeyed God, esp. when it was difficult.

       What fears might they have had?  Did their fears come true?  What was the ultimate

        outcome? 

[tenderhearted]

Part 2 out of Three (sorry I had to split it further)


STUDY:  1 JOHN 3:11-24 - read passage



    1.    From verses 11-15:

            (a)    Read Genesis 4:4-7 to better understand the reference to Cain.  What did the Lord tell Cain to do to overcome his anger?  What did God warn would happen to if Cain disobeyed the Lord and did it actually happen?  What was the real reason Cain murdered his brother? 



            (b)    How does verse 13 relate to Cain's murder of Abel? Does it help you to understand why people in the world may be hateful toward you and reject you?

                    Likewise, does this help you to understand why it is so serious when a believer hates another believer?  Whom do they really hate?



            (c)    What is the acid test that shows if a person has spiritual (eternal) life (verses 14-15)



    2.    From verses 16-19:

            (a)    How does John Describe "love" in verse 16-18.  Give specific examples of how this kind of love fits your life circumstances.

            (b)    Pratical application of "love".  Menno Simons (founder of the Mennonite movement 1539) said:

                   

                    True evangelical faith cannot lie dormant.

                    It clothes the naked.

                    It feeds the hungry.

                    It comforts the sorrowful.

                    It shelters the destitute.

                    It serves those that seek to harm it.

                    It binds up that which is wounded,

                    It has become all things to all men.

                   

                    In what ways can the above statements become true in our lives?

 

(a)    What ideas or principles are helpful in balancing your needs with the needs of others so that you do not shut up your compassion or be blind to their needs in the face of so much suffering, eg.: Katrina's victims?

 

(b)   Okay, here it is, finally what we've all been waiting for in our study of an epistle by the beloved disciple:  a word study on the word "love".  Let me note that every time John uses the words love, loves, loved, etc. in his epistles it is a translation of agapao or agape.  (The only exception is in 3 John 9:  ".but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us."  Here the word is philoproteno, ".to be fond of being first, i.e. ambitious of distinction: -love to have the preeminence.")

 

Not very long ago I was put to shame because I was putting something fun I wanted to do ahead of what God might have been telling me to do with my time.  Really it boiled down to me not trusting Him with my need (desire?) for pleasure.  Why?  Essentially I was accusing Him of evil intent (God is a hard taskmaster who is out to spoil my fun.) As grow in our trust in His deep love for us, we can say with David, 

 

"You will show me the path of life;

in Your presence is fullness of joy

at  Your right Hand there are pleasures

forevermore."

   

                      (Psalm 16:11)

 

As we abide in Him, may His love fill us and empower us.  May our love for Him overflow. 

 

We need father love.  It is what affirms us and it is what empowers us.  Some who   don't feel they have it go to great lengths and even illicit means to get it.  Some have chosen to let themselves be driven to despair and break-down because they were deprived of it.  Our earthly fathers are at best an imperfect representation of the perfect standard our Father shows us in His Word about His love.  May we let His love sink deep into our hearts and realize the enormous blessings He gives us.  And as it does, may we realize the vital role of love in our lives in God's family and in the world. 

 

HOMEWORK:

This week, let's take a really good look at the meaning and use of "love".  This word study should be a really good place to start.  It is my prayer that as we do, I, and you, and we would better come to understand and appreciate God's love and come to love God better, and to come to love each other and others better.

 

Spend as much time as you need to (even several days) reading through the word study and studying the verses in their contexts.  Get a grasp on the revolutionary message of such love.  Write down insights and prayers in your journal as you go. 

 

 

Greek Strong's Number: 25

Transliteration: agapao

Phonetic Pronunciation: ag-ap-ah'-o

Root: perhaps from agan (much) [or cf <H5689> ]

Cross Reference: TDNT - 1:21,5

Part of Speech: v

Vines Words: Beloved, Love





Usage Notes:



English Words used in KJV:

love 135
beloved 7
[Total Count: 142]



1) of persons

1a) to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly

2) of things

2a) to be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing

[tenderhearted]

Part 3 of Study #7 of 1 John


Vine's:



1.  AGAPAO . and the corresponding noun agape . present "the characteristic word of Christianity, and since the Spirit of revelation has used it to express ideas previously unknown, enquiry into its use .throws but little light upon its distinctive meaning in the N.T..

"Agape and agapao are used in the N.T.

(a)    to describe the attitude of God toward His Son, John 17:26; the human race, generally, John 3:16; Rom 5:8; and to such as believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, particularly, John 14:21;

(b)   to convey His will to His children concerning their attitude one toward another, John 13:34, and toward all men, 1 Thess. 3:12; 1 Cor. 16:14; 2 Pet. 1:7;

(c)    to express the essential nature of God, 1 John 4:8.

"Love can be known only from the actions it prompts.  Gods love is seen in the gift of His Son, 1 John 4:9, 10.  But obviously this is not the love of complacency, or affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in its objects, Rom. 5:8.  It was an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself, compare deut. 7:7,8.



"Love had its perfect expression among men in the Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. 5:14;  Eph. 2:4; 3:19; 5:2; Christian love is the fruit of His Spirit in the Christian, Gal.5:22.



"Christian love has God for its primary object, and expresses itself first of all in implicit obedience to His commandments, John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10; 1 John 2:5; 5:3; 2 John 6.  Self-will, that is, self-pleasing, is the negation of love to God. 

"Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered.  Love seeks the welfare of all, Rom. 15:2, and works no ill to any, 13:8-10;  love seeks opportunity to do good to 'all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith,' Gal. 6:10.  See further 1 Cor. 13 and Col. 3:12-14."



In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant love and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential love in them towards the Giver, and a practical love towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver.



2.  PHILEO is to be distinguished from agapao in this, that phileo more nearly represents tender affection . the distinction between the two verbs remains, and the are never used indiscriminately in the same passage; if each is used with reference to the same objects . each word retains its distinctive and essential character.  Phileo is never used in a command to men to love God; it is, however, used as a warning in 1 Cor. 16:22; agapao is used instead, e.g. Matt. 22:37; Luke 10:27; Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor 8:3; 1 Pet. 1:8; 1 John 4:21.  The distinction between the two verbs finds a conspicuous instance in the narrative of John 21:15-17.  The context itself indicates that agapao in the first two questions suggests the love that values and esteems (compare Rev. 12:11).  It is an unselfish love, ready to serve.  The use of phileo in Peter's answers and the Lord's third question, conveys the thought of cherishing the Object above all else, of manifesting an affection characterized by constancy, from the motive of the highest veneration .



Again, to love (phileo) life, from an undue desire to preserve it, forgetful of the real object of living, meets with the Lord's reproof, John 12:25.  On the contrary, to love life (agapao) as used in 1 Pet. 3:10, is to consult the true interests of living.  Here the word phileo would be quite inappropriate

 3.     From verses 19-24:

              (a)    Do you ever doubt your assurance of salvation?

                  How do the following verses reassure us when the Accuser comes against us?

                          3:18-19

 

                          3:24

 

                          4:13

 

                       If after the above verses, you heart still condemns you, take comfort from verse 3:19-20.  John Stott (The Epistles of John, Leicester, England: Intervarsity, 1960, pp. 145-46) commented:

 

                        "However firmly grounded the Christian's assurance is, his heart may sometimes need reassurance...Sometimes the accusations of our 'conscience' will be true accusations, and sometimes they will be false, inspired by the 'the accuser of our brethren' (Rev 12:10)...Our conscience is by no means infallible; its condemnation may often be unjust.  We can, therefore, appeal from our conscience to God who is greater and more knowledgeable.  Indeed, he knows all things, including our secrets motives and deepest resolves, and it is implied, will be more merciful towards us than our own heart."

                (b)    What promises are given here in this passage?

 

 

                (c)    Are there conditions to these promises: if so, what are they?

 

(d)  Prayerfully set one goal for yourself for the next week that will help you  love in action and in truth.  Be specific.  Perhaps you are even willing to be accountable to the group for putting this goal into action.

[brian]

this is the kind of information that could more easily be linked to like this:

http://www.bibletruths.net/Archives/BTAR123.htm

then if people want to read it they can quite easily by just clicking the link, but if they are not interested they don't have to wade through it on the bb. as a general rule, its a bad idea to copy over more than a few lines from another source onto a bb. its better for everyone if you just link to it.

[tenderhearted]

this is the kind of information that could more easily be linked to like this:

http://www.bibletruths.net/Archives/BTAR123.htm

then if people want to read it they can quite easily by just clicking the link, but if they are not interested they don't have to wade through it on the bb. as a general rule, its a bad idea to copy over more than a few lines from another source onto a bb. its better for everyone if you just link to it.

THANK YOU BRIAN.

I appreciate the work you did to move this topic for me.

Lenore.


TO REST WHO ARE FOLLOWING ALONG IN THIS BIBLE STUDY:
Part 8 will be coming shortly .

Lenore

[tenderhearted]

SEPTEMBER 22,

If you are missing Part 8 or Part 9 of the 1 John Bible Study.

Contact me via email at lenorewhelan@yahoo.ca

I will email the bible study to you okay.

Each study is very long and would require at least a 3 part posting.

Lenore