1 John: Knowing Jesus Study 7 (Hannah S)

Confidence – 1 John 5

John returns to most of the themes he has developed in this last chapter of his letter. Throughout this series of studies, we have talked about the ‘pulse-checks’ or ‘tests’ which give assurance to the true believer and these are once again revisited. John was writing to a church beset by false teaching; they were at risk of being distracted by those who taught Jesus wasn’t who he said he was, and the lie that living a distinctive Christian life was irrelevant and they could live how they pleased. In this chapter, John writes to once again let his ‘dear children’ know they can have confidence and assurance of their faith in the face of these challenges.

1. Discuss with your study buddy where you found confidence before becoming a believer, or where you see unbelievers around you looking for confidence.

Read 1 John 5:1-5

Think again of the three pulse checks; belief, love and obedience. Underline/highlight the pulse checks in v1-3a below:

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands.”

2. Can you identify how the pulse checks are linked to each other from the passage? What is the cause of what?
                ——–>                            ——–>

3. Look at v2-3. Discuss together the link between love and obedience. Why might some people think following God’s commands are burdensome? Look up Matthew 11:30 and Galatians 5:1 and identify further truth about following his commands.

4. Look at v4-5. What does it mean to/that we can overcome the world? Look up 1 John 2:15-17 and compare with the end of verse 4 in our chapter. In what way does this give you confidence?

5. How does the concept of victory through faith encourage you and give you confidence in times of struggle? Think of the impact of this when we live it out. Check out Romans 8:37 and 2 Cor 2:14.

6. Read v11-13 and verse 20. John wants us to know without a shadow of a doubt where we stand as true believers with regard to the future. How can we have confidence in knowing our eternal future? Look up John 17:2-3. How does knowing this truth affect how you live life today?

• Take time to examine your hearts and check your ‘pulses’.
• Ask the LORD to fill your heart with the confidence you can have in Him.
• Thank and praise Him for the assurance that our eternal future is secure in Jesus.