Background on 1 John

One of the unique aspects of John as a person was the period of time over which we see his faith lived out. While some New Testament writers were inspired by God to contribute a single letter to the New Testament (like James, Jude, Matthew, and Mark) John was inspired to contribute multiple writings over multiple decades. While the Apostle Paul was used by God to write the greatest number of New Testament letters, John was used by God to write over the longest period of time and a wide variety of genres.  Throughout church history the Apostle John is believed to have written: The Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation.

John lived through the events he witnessed in the Gospel of John. John references this very emphatically in 1 John 1.  As a young man John and his brother James, both followed Jesus (Mark 1:19-20). As a middle-aged man, John witnessed the rapid spread of the Gospel to various regions surrounding the Mediterranean. As an older man, John was tasked with sharing the overwhelming good news of Christ Jesus' ultimate triumph over sin and death, redeeming a people for Himself for joy unending into eternity. 

John came from a family of workers. He would have been "blue collar". John was just a dude learning the family business (Matthew 4:21-22).  John wasn't qualified to become a follower of Jesus because of his own goodness, educational background, or past accomplishments. John was qualified to follow Jesus because Christ called him to follow. You and I can take comfort in that the same gospel John shared, is the same gospel that calls us to follow Christ. In this way, you and I, regardless of our backgrounds, cultures, family lineage, or language, share a mutual common reality. We have heard the gospel and are responding in faith to Christ’s magnificent redeeming work.

John's life of faith calls us away from all that we would say is religious, dramatic, and dogmatic about ourselves apart from Christ. John's life testifies to something beyond human-originated concepts of religion, tradition, and ordinances. John's writings and life testifies to the Divine Truth, to God Incarnate, and to the maker of all creation taking on Body and Blood. John's gospel, his letters to churches, and his prophecy all point to the most dramatic reality that defines each and every person for all eternity: Christ's life, death, resurrection, ascension, reign, and return. 

Lesson 1: Seen, Heard, and Touched

Read 1 John  1
Day 1: The Apostle John was used mightily by the Lord to write the Gospel of John, 3 small letters (called epistles), and the book of Revelation. In these various sacred, inspired portions of God’s Word, we get a glimpse of John at various life stages and circumstances. Of all the New Testament writers, John is perhaps the most diverse in the style and genre of communication he was tasked by the Lord to write. 

Who was the Apostle John?
Mark 1:19-20
Luke 5:10
Mark 10:35
Mark 3:17
Day 2:   John was writing this book to a group of churches where fellowship with each other was at stake. For the believer who has been redeemed by Christ, fellowship is not a result of any earthly category or connection. Christians are not connected because of mutually shared political beliefs, upbringing, language, culture, financial status, or favorite food. We are connected because we are one in Christ. The Son of God has brought into union all who are, by grace, elected to eternal life. It is a noble and worthwhile aim and desire as Christians to be in mutual fellowship with one another. For the Apostle John, there was no such thing as a solitary, lone-ranger Christian. Christians are in union together because every true Christian is united to Christ. Through Christ, we are one. In the following passages, what do you observe about the fellowship of believers? 

1 Peter 4:7-10Philippians 2:1-4
Acts 2:42-47
Acts 16:31-34

Day 3:  John’s focus of this book was on what he had seen, heard, and touched. John was writing about something that is very real. He is using language to describe what is real. He is not discussing religious philosophy or making an argument on religious teachings. He was writing about very real experiential stuff that he personally had heard, had seen, and had touched.  What words does John use in 1 John 1:1-4 to convey his tangible experience with the Lord?   

1 John 1:1-4 

In what way were senses (taste, touch, hearing, sight, smell) tangibly described in the following passages?

Luke 2:15
Matthew 7:24-27
Luke 24:36-44

Day 4:   We can see in 1 John 1:1-4 the importance of the proclamation of the gospel. This proclamation by John occurs so that believers may have complete Joy in Christ. What do you observe from these passages that speak about Joy?

Philippians 2:1-4
Acts 5:17-42
Psalms 30

Digging Deeper: Take a look at the confession, or catechism that your church follows. What does it have to say about having complete joy in Christ?

Heidelberg Catechism Questions: 1,2,5, 55, 90

Westminster Catechism 1,2, 88

The 1689 London Baptist Confession Chapter 17,27

How does the Joy of Christ take shape in your life? When have there been tangible moments of the Joy of Christ in your life? 

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