Digging Deeper Days
Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Heart work!
The Questions
1) Who is the “we” in this passage?
2) What is John describing in verses 1-4?
3) What comparison does John make in verses 5-10?
4) What do we learn about our choices in this passage?
1 John 1:1-10
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he 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 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. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Original Intent
1) Who is the “we” in this passage?
From this passage alone, we do not get any indication about who the exact recipients of this letter were or where they were located. Based on the contents of the letter, we know that John is speaking to believers that he knows very well because of the way he addresses them. (1 John 2:1) We also know there are issues of false teaching from within the Christian community plaguing this congregation. (1 John 2:18-19)
2) What is John describing in verses 1-4?
John is telling his readers he has had first hand knowledge of Jesus. He saw Him, he touched Him, and he is now testifying about what he experienced. He is an eye witness of the life of Jesus and now professes these real-life truths so that others may come to know Him and fellowship in the body. (1 John 1:3)
3) What comparison does John make in verses 5-10?
John uses the comparison of light and dark. This is a similar analogy he makes in the Gospel of John. In his comparison, God is light and the opposite of light is darkness, which is separation from God or that which stands in opposition to God.
4) What do we learn about our choices in this passage?
John makes it very clear to the reader we have choice in the matter of light and dark. He says we choose to walk in the light or we choose to walk in the dark. If we choose light, “we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” If we choose darkness, we have no truth in us and we are liars. This is, according to John, the most simple form of the gospel, we either follow in light or we walk in darkness.
Everyday Application
1) Who is the “we” in this passage?
The exact audience of this passage is not known but as we read this today, the words of John are still just as true, therefore, John’s words serve as a wake-up call for all believers. When we witness and experience God’s greatness and walk in His light, we have fellowship with one another and put Him on display. The “we” in this passage could be defined as every person who aligns themselves with Christ.
2) What is John describing in verses 1-4?
John says in sharing His life-experience with Christ, his joy is made complete by watching others share in the same faith. We may not have seen Christ on this Earth, but we see His power every day and have opportunities to testify about the eternal life found in Him. John told his story, which is exactly what God is asking of us, to tell our story- His story- in our life. If you are interested in sharing that story of His transformation, consider encouraging other women by writing it out and letting God use it to reach others! Contact Dee at facesofgrace@gracefullytruthful.com for more info!
3) What comparison does John make in verses 5-10?
We recognize light and dark. It is obvious when we walk into a dark house or a dark room just how overwhelming that darkness can be. Darkness plays tricks on our mind about what and who is in the room. When we can’t see the “truth” of the room, navigating through it is extremely difficult. One flip of a switch and the room illuminates, the truth of the what and who is in the room becomes obvious. John uses this light and dark illustration to make clear how God illuminates the dark spots of our heart; where God is, darkness cannot exist. When we confess our darkness before Him, the light floods just as if a switch had been flipped. “I once was blind, but now I see.” God’s truth, His light, His forgiveness, all bring fellowship and restoration to the hurting, dark spots of our life.
4) What do we learn about our choices in this passage?
As a believer, in the power of the Holy Spirit, we must daily choose light. The shame of an un-righteous past, the brokenness of relationships, or the lure of addiction are no match for the power of God in our life. There is no darkness and no sin so great that God’s light cannot overcome. Choosing to put the darkness of our life before Him once and for all allow us to be transformed a little bit more into His perfect, beautiful likeness as we are refined by His truth. Darkness is pervasive, it is also a liar. It comes from the Father of Lies who stands in opposition to God and wants darkness to stay. Yet, God is faithful, even in our darkness, to be a beacon of light leading us into eternal relationship with Him.
What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Heart Work!
Digging Deeper is for Everyone!
1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!
Digging Deeper Community
Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!
Our Current Study Theme!
This is Tabernacle Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!
Why Dig Deeper?
Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.
In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!
Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.
Study Tools
We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.
Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!
Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))
Memorize It!
Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.