God is Light (1 John 1:1-2:11)

“God is light” (1 Jn 1:5). “...walk in the light...” (1 Jn 1:7). “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did” (1 Jn 2:6).

1. Why emphasize Jesus being “heard,” “seen,” “looked at,” and “touched” (1 Jn 1:1; Jn 1:14; Lk 24:39)?
• Is this your experience of Christ?
2. What is eternal life (1 Jn 1:2; Jn 17:3; 1 Tim 3:16, 1 Cor 1:9)?
• Why does sharing this message bring joy (1 Jn 1:3-4; Phil 2:2; 2 Jn 12)?
• Do you have joy from sharing Christ?
3. What does it mean that “God is light” (1 Jn 1:5; Ps 27:1; Jn 8:12; 1 Tim 6:16)?
• What does "light" do (Jn 3:19–21)?
• If you rationalize and justify your sin, what are you doing (1 Jn 1:6; 2:4; 2 Cor 6:14)?
4. How might you deceive yourself (1 Jn 1:8)? Why is this easy (Jer 17:9; Isa 64:6)?
• What should you do regularly (1 Jn 1:9)? Why (Rom 3:23; Prov 28:13; Ps 32:5; Prov 28:13; Rom 5:1)?
• What should you know when [not if] you sin (1 Jn 2:1)?
• How is Jesus the “atoning sacrifice [propitiation] for our sins" (1 Jn 2:2; Rom 3:25; Heb 2:17)? 
• Why is it so serious to not confess your sin (1 Jn 1:10; Ps 32:3-4; 38:3-4; Isa 59:2)?
• Is there a specific sin you need to confess to God or a trusted believer?
5. How can you be sure that you know God (1 Jn 2:3, 5-6; Jn 14:15, 23; Mt 7:20; Jas 2:18)?
• How do you “live as Jesus did” (1 Jn 2:6; 1 Pet 2:21; Phil 2:5–8)?
• Do you obey God’s commands from love or from duty? 
• How can you tell?
6. Why is the command to love “old” yet also “new” (1 Jn 2:7-8; Lev 19:18; Jn 13:34; Rom 13:12; Jn 8:12)?
• Where do you see God’s light overcoming darkness in your life (1 Jn 2:10)?
• How is hatred of a brother "darkness" (1 Jn 2:9; Mt 5:22–24; Eph 4:26–27)?
• How does hatred blind you (1 Jn 2:11)? Has unforgiveness kept you from seeing a situation clearly (2 Cor 4:4)?
• Is there someone you resent or avoid?
• How can you reconcile with him/her?

I. The Word of Life (1 Jn 1:1-4)

II. Walking in the Light (1 Jn 1:5-10)

III. Jesus Our Advocate (1 Jn 2:1-6)

IV. The Old/New Commandment (1 Jn 2:7-11)

Challenge: Identify a “darkness” and replace it with a “light” (e.g., instead of gossip, speak encouragement; instead of hiding sin, confess to a trusted friend).