Copr. 1997, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D.
Copr. 1997, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. All Scripture references
are to the NIV unless otherwise noted. Suggested answers are
found within parentheses. The lesson assumes the teacher uses
a blackboard.
INTRODUCTION: Last week we learned that we are on the path of light
if we do what is right and we love one another. (1 John 3:10) This
week John delves more deeply into the question of what it means to
love one another. So let's delve with him!
I. THE BEGINNING MESSAGE
A. Read 1 John 3:11-12. John says we have "heard from the
beginning" the message that we should love one another.
1. What beginning is he talking about?
2. The beginning of the apostolic church?
3. The beginning of our life?
4. The beginning of the world? (The reference point for
"beginning" is clear: from the beginning of the history
of man -- the story of Cain and Abel.)
B. Do you consider the story of Cain and Abel to be a lesson
on how we should love one another?
1. Is this the definition of love: avoid being like
someone who murdered his brother?
2. So as long as we do not kill anyone, we are all right?
3. Kind of an extreme (and low) standard, isn't it?
C. I think we need to read on. Read vv. 13-16. How do we know
what it means to love one another? (Verse 16 gives us the
positive side of this: Jesus' example of laying down His life
for us.)
1. So why did John start out talking about Cain? What
point was he trying to make by starting out with Cain
instead of Jesus?
2. Will someone read Hebrews 12:22-24. Does this show
that the story of Cain and Abel shows us love after all?
(Yes! The story is supposed to teach us something for it
says that Jesus' blood "speaks a better word." Both
Abel's blood and Jesus' blood have a message for us. John
started out talking about Abel's blood first because he
gave it up first.)
a. What is the "word" of Abel's blood? (That Abele
was in a sense a prototype of Jesus. We do not
know the precise circumstances under which he gave
up his life. We do not know if it was willingly or
not. But he did give up his life because of his
obedience. Therefore, we see that from the very
beginning man has been faced with the two paths
that John has been consistently talking about: the
path of light and the path of darkness. Those on
the path of light are learning the lesson of self-
sacrifice. The end is life. Those on the path of
darkness are learning the lesson of self-
gratification and envy. The end is death.)
II. DEATH TO LIFE
A. In vv. 12-16 John seems to contradict himself. He says
three things:
1. We are like Abel and Jesus if we love;
2. Do not be surprised if the world hates you (it hated
Abel and Jesus); and,
3. If you have this love you have passed from death to
life.
B. Wait a minute! Considering these examples, wouldn't it be
more accurate to say that if we love we pass from life to
death? These "guys" got whacked for their love!
C. Do you remember in driver's training they teach you to keep
you eye on the road a half-mile ahead? Don't just stare at
the back bumper of the person in front of you. Why do they
teach that?
1. Is John teaching like a "driver's ed. teacher?"
(John is talking about the "long view," just like in driver's
education. The "long view" better informs what we should be
doing in the immediate future. In Biblical terms, what
happens "on the path" here is not as important as the end of
the path. That is why we must be on the right path. The end
of the right path is this: "the man who does the will of God
lives forever." 1 John 2:17 In that way we pass from death to
life.)
III. THE PARADIGM
A. Again John clearly lays out two paths for us. (Draw
the path of light and the path of darkness.)
B. What have we learned so far (in these verses we have
studied this morning) are the attributes of the individuals on
each of these paths?
Light Darkness
Love Murder
Possibly being hated Hate (Why hate? Matt.
5:22: "anyone who is
angry with his
bother will be
subject to
judgment.")
Lay down our lives for brothers.
C. Let's read on to fill in our paradigm chart even further.
Read 1 John 3:17-20. What else should we add?
Light Darkness
Pity on brothers in need No pity, but ability
to help.
Active love Empty love
Conscience at rest Troubled conscience
D. Let's explore these further. Verse 17 has a qualifier, it
says "if anyone has material possessions" he should have pity.
1. Does this mean that we are "off the hook" if we do not
have much ourselves?
2. Just what do you think constitutes "material
possessions?" (The greek here is interesting. The word
translated "possessions" is "bios." It means "life" or
the means to sustain life. (For the computer literate,
this is not "basic input and output system.) The word
translated "material" is "kosmos" meaning an ordered
universe. So if you have the means from the universe to
sustain life, then you have "material possessions.")
a. Anybody here not meet that standard? (We are then
all "on the hook.")
E. How far does John say our obligation extends? (John refers
to "brothers," which he distinguishes from "the world." 1 John
3:13)
IV. THE TEST
A. Let's re-read vv. 19-20 and add vv. 21-22. We have
repeatedly seen that John gives us "reality checks" so that we
can check ourselves. What is John's "reality check" that
involves our heart (v. 19-20)? (It seems John is talking about
our conscience.)
1. If John is speaking of our conscience, what does he
mean in v. 20 when he says "God is greater than our
hearts?" (I think John is speaking of an informed
conscience. If a person were raised from youth to refrain
from eating broccoli because it is sin, that person would
have a troubled heart for no reason. We need to pay
attention to our conscience, but God is greater than our
conscience and we need to pay more attention to His word.
When God's word and our conscience are working together
as a team, we have a reliable guide.)
B. Read 1 John 3:23-24. This is very similar to the way in
which we ended our last lesson (1 John 3:10) Last week it was
obey and love. This week believe and love.
1. How do we know we are obeying? (v.24 "by the Spirit he
gave us.")
2. Is this reference to the "Spirit," another reference
to our conscience? (The "Spirit" is obviously the Holy
Spirit. A right-formed conscience will be driven by the
Holy Spirit.)
V. NEXT WEEK: "TESTING THE SPIRITS." 1 John 4:1-6. John follows up
on this idea of having the right "spirit." Study!