In order to study the bible, it helps to know how! But it might be something you’re not too familiar with—or maybe it just all seems too overwhelming for you to even know where to begin! That’s ok- we’ve all felt like that… and still feel like that! So let’s start with some basics this week—the goal is to feel comfortable studying God’s word. The biggest thing to remember is that there is NOT one right answer… there is NOT one way to do it… and you canNOT mess this up!
The Bible is God’s infalliable word- we’re told by God’s that it’s timeless and that anytime it goes out, it will not return void. So just because you read a passage today and learn one thing, or hear from God one way, doesn’t mean it will look the same the next time you read it. And that’s the best part- God uses His word to show Himself to us and to speak to us. You’ve got this because God’s got you!
All week we’re going to focus on the book of 1 John. And that’s it.
Read 1 John chapter 1
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out 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, purifies us from all sin.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
Now use your phone and google—who is the author or 1 John? When was it written? Look for historical background, dates, key people, etc…
Now read 1 John chapter 1 again- is there anything that stands out or is different to you know that you know the background?
Pray 1 John 3:18 for yourself—insert you name and ask God to help you love Him and others in actions and in truth.
18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18
Sit for a minute and meditate on what that could look like for you today.
