1 John 3:4-10

Context

• Who did John write this letter to? What sort of people is he writing to? [ 1 John 5:13 ] (The letter is thought to be a circular letter that was sent to many churches.)
• What difficulties faced these churches? [ 1 John 2:18, 2:22, 2:26 ], [ 1 John 2:15 ], [ 1 John 2:9-10 ]
• What is John concerned about in the passage that follows this one? [ 1 John 3:11-12 ]

Characters

• Who is John addressing in [ 1 John 3:4 ]?
  • Within the context of the Bible, what is “lawlessness”?
• Why did Jesus appear? [ 1 John 3:5 ]
  • What was special about Jesus?
  • What are the characteristics of someone that abides in Jesus? [ 1 John 3:6 ]
  • What did Jesus destroy on the cross? [ 1 John 3:8 ]
• How are those of Jesus different from those of the devil? [ 1 John 3:7-8 ]
  • In the context of this letter, who might be deceiving the churches that John is writing to?
• What is the effect of God’s seed (Holy Spirit) being present in someone? [ 1 John 3:9 ]
• How are the children of God distinguished from the rest? [ 1 John 3:10 ]
  • What particular action is John concerned about? [ 1 John 3:10b-11 ]

Application

• What did Jesus come into the world to do?
  • What was special about Jesus?
• What characterises those that abide in Jesus?
  • How can we selflessly love others in the Church? (“Love the brothers” in John’s letter.)