Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
I find Christians often disagree with how much power the “evil one” really has. However “we know that we are children of God” and He is more powerful than any devil.
v. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
I find Christians often disagree with how much power the “evil one” really has. However “we know that we are children of God” and He is more powerful than any devil.
v.4 This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Faith, child-like trust, has great power because goes against what our senses tell us. We express a belief in an unseen, yet all wise, good and loving God and that spells disaster for the devil.
v.4 This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Faith, child-like trust, has great power because goes against what our senses tell us. We express a belief in an unseen, yet all wise, good and loving God and that spells disaster for the devil.
v.14 “And how bold and free we then become in his presence…” The Message
Free from fear because fear has to do with punishment (4:18). Bold because he has given us the same standing as Jesus (4:17).
v.14 “And how bold and free we then become in his presence…” The Message
Free from fear because fear has to do with punishment (4:18). Bold because he has given us the same standing as Jesus (4:17).
v.1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.
In John’s mind to be a Christian means believing Jesus is the Christ, the anointed One, the promised One, who would save people from their sins.
v.1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.
In John’s mind to be a Christian means believing Jesus is the Christ, the anointed One, the promised One, who would save people from their sins.
v. 18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin.
People behave according to what they believe. Therefore if we believe we are born of God and therefore children of God we will not deliberately continue to sin.
v. 18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin.
People behave according to what they believe. Therefore if we believe we are born of God and therefore children of God we will not deliberately continue to sin.
v. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true…He is the true God and eternal life.
Jesus, true God and eternal life.
v. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true…He is the true God and eternal life.
Jesus, true God and eternal life.
v.14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
(From Constable Commentary) "But, if prayer is to be made according to God's will, why pray at all? Surely his will is going to be accomplished, whether or not we pray for it to be done? To speak in such terms is to assume that God's will must be understood in a static kind of way, as if God has made a detailed plan beforehand of all that is going to happen—including the fact that we are going to pray in a particular way and at a particular time. But while the Bible does speak of God's plan and purpose for the world, to speak in such deterministic terms is inconsistent with the freedom which the Bible itself assigns to God's children, and it wreaks havoc upon the biblical idea of the personal relationship which exists between God and his children."
v.14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
(From Constable Commentary) "But, if prayer is to be made according to God's will, why pray at all? Surely his will is going to be accomplished, whether or not we pray for it to be done? To speak in such terms is to assume that God's will must be understood in a static kind of way, as if God has made a detailed plan beforehand of all that is going to happen—including the fact that we are going to pray in a particular way and at a particular time. But while the Bible does speak of God's plan and purpose for the world, to speak in such deterministic terms is inconsistent with the freedom which the Bible itself assigns to God's children, and it wreaks havoc upon the biblical idea of the personal relationship which exists between God and his children."