Main Point: God’s love in His people gives them assurance of His presence, confidence awaiting judgment, and power to reflect His character in the world.
January 21, 2026 - IMU Office 571
Ice Breaker - Welcome Back Catch Up!
- Share one fun memory from winter break
- What class are you most excited for and what class are you most nervous for this semester?
- National Championship Memories - If you didn’t watch, I guess we aren’t friends anymore.
Opening Prayer
Study Questions
- Why do you think John refers to himself as “the elder” rather than using his name or title?
- Who do you think “the elect lady and her children” represent? What clues in the text support your view?
- What does John say brings him joy in verse 4?
- John uses “truth” over 40 times in his NT writings. What is he referring to when he talks about “truth”?
- How is the idea of “truth” looked at today?
- How would you describe your own walk in “truth” and “love”? Which comes more naturally to you?
- John again references an old command, what is it? v5-6
- Why is the confession that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh so central to Christian faith (verse 7)?
- What does it mean to “go beyond” Christ’s teaching, and why is that spiritually dangerous?
- Are there teachings or influences you are exposed to that subtly move beyond Christ’s teaching?