Application Questions:

1. How amazing do you think it is to be called a child of God? Does that description seem obvious, assumed, or unremarkable? Why does John see it as a reason to be filled with awe and wonder?

2. How does the knowledge of Jesus’ coming act as a motivator to how you live your life today? How is it an encouragement to you to press on in your Christian life?

3. How does Jesus’ own character motivate and encourage you to become more like Him?

Application Questions:

1. When you hear John talk about an anointing with the Holy Spirit, what comes to mind? Does it sound like something reserved for a privileged few, or something that you have experienced in Christ? Why does John want his Christian audience to know of their anointing, and how does this purpose help you today?

2. When John talks about “knowledge” in this passage, is he referring to something secret or complicated? What is John talking about? Why does he remind his audience that they have this “knowledge”?

3. John wanted his audience to “abide in Him [Jesus].” What does it mean to “abide”? How are you tempted or enticed to move away from Jesus in your daily life?

Application Questions:

1. What comes to mind when you hear of Antichrist? Do you think of a future horror, or a present reality? In what ways are John's words helpful for your walk today?

2. What comes to mind when you hear of the last hour or last days? Do you feel anxiety, dread, hope, excitement? How do John's words address the emotional state of your heart today?

3. John teaches us that many opponents to the gospel will come from within the church, not only from outside of it. Thinking of John's letter to this point, how do you think he would want you to respond to this reality?

Application Questions:

1. In this passage, John shifts from giving his audience questions to ask about themselves to making declarative statements about them. Why do you think he does this? What benefit do you think he intends to provide to those who read this letter?

2. In this passage, John reiterates that his audience knows “the Father” and “He who is from the beginning.” What is the difference between these two descriptors of God? What do they tell you about your relationship with God?

3. In this passage, John aims to bolster his audience’s confidence by declaring their forgiveness in Christ, fellowship with God, and victory over the devil. Consider your own present struggles. How does this passage address, correct, or overcome those struggles?

Application Questions:

1. In response to the unfamiliar situation that John’s audience was facing, he points them back to “the old commandment.” As you face unfamiliar challenges in your own life, what practical lessons can you draw from John’s strategy for yourself?

2. Consider how you have experienced Jesus’ love. In what ways does His love surpass your previous understanding, standard, or practice of love? Do you see His love for you as the “new normal” for you to copy, or as an exception that you can avoid?

3. In what ways have you acted hatefully toward your brothers and sisters in the past? In what ways have you received love from your brothers and sisters in the past?

Application Questions:

1. Last week, Pastor Zach described Jesus as “the put up or shut up of God.” What does that mean? In what ways do you see that idea demonstrated in this week’s passage?

2. How certain do you feel about your fellowship with God? Are you confident or unsure? In what ways does John encourage you in this passage? In what ways does he challenge you?

3. Does John think that your experiencing certainty about your relationship with God determines whether or not you certainly belong to God? Why or why not?

Application Questions:

1. John describes God as “light”. How is this truth about who God is and what He is like an encouragement for you relationally?

2. How do John’s distinctions between walking in light or darkness make you feel? Are his words a comfort or a discouragement? Why?

3. Why is confession of your sin to God so hard? How is it an act of faith?

Application Questions:

1. What do you know about the apostle John, or any of the other biblical authors? How difficult is it for you to think of them as real people? Why does this matter to how you approach their writings?

2. What do you think of when you hear the word “fellowship”? Is this a significant word or a throw-away word to you? How do your ideas of fellowship compare to John’s idea?

3. When you think of Jesus, is He a real person or just a concept? Is He a historical figure to you, or someone that you know personally?