The New Commandment

1 John 2:3-14

Reminder: Pray to God to set your heart right as you engage His word. The text you are about to study was not written to you but is written for you. So, before applying we must ask the following questions:

What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?

READ THE SCRIPTURE (Multiple times & translations and notice the words that standout)

Biblegateway (NIV) (My choice of all-round site. Great app, better on computers or on phone)

StepBible (ESV) (Great on phone or computer with good resources.)

Topics:

#Hashtags

Themes

The Advocacy of Christ
Obedience and Love for God
Worldliness versus Godliness
Spiritual Growth and Maturity
The Antichrist and Deception
Abiding in Christ

Topics

Sin and Redemption
God's Commandments
Love for One Another
Denouncing Worldly Desires
Warning Against False Teachers
Perseverance in the Faith

Topical Bible

Potential Sermon Titles: ??

Intro Questions to get us thinking:

What was your favorite thing you got “new”?

ESV Text with Highlights

#God = Jesus Christ

#People = John (the Apostle and Author), Antichrists (False Teachers), Children, Fathers, and Young Men (Believers at different stages of spiritual maturity), The World (Non-believers)

#Time =

#Place = The World (broad context)

#Obedient faith

#Sin

#Key Idea

1 John 2:3-14

3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

The New Commandment

7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

12 I am writing to you, little children,
    because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children,
    because you know the Father.
14 I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,
    and the word of God abides in you,
    and you have overcome the evil one.

OBSERVATIONS (Reflect on the topic and build the concept the writer is trying to communicate to the original audience)

ebible (NLT) (Best for having Bible sections divided by "pericope" or sections by thought)

Thematic Bible (Books and Chapters Structure)

Bible Hub = Outline, Themes, Topics, People, Locations, and Questions

Christ Our Advocate 1 John 2:1-6
The New Commandment 1 John 2:7-14

STUDY RESOURCES (This takes some work and here are more resources than you can go through completely)

StudyLight (LEB) (Great site with commentaries by Burton Coffman)

NETBible (New English Translation) (Great for original text information)

BibleHub (HCSB) (Good on computer or app/phone with lots of well-organized information.)

BlueLetter (KJV) (A variety of resources and good on Phones / better on Computers)

Literal Word (NASB) (Works well on a smartphone or computer + for searching for words like a printed concordance)

Biblia.com (NCV) (Great on a computer especially if you have a logos account)

KnowingJesus (Phone / Computer and great for comparing translations)

God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
What are the two tests given in this passage for determining whether one really knows God (2:3, 10)? How are you doing in each of these areas?
In what ways do you strive to obey God's commandments? (1 John 2:3-6)
How does John's command to love one another challenge your current attitudes and actions toward others? (1 John 2:7-11)
What three things does John stress again in verses 2:12-14? Identify your current stage of spiritual maturity (children, fathers, young men). What does John's message mean to you personally? (1 John 2:12-14)

Link to More Questions

APPLICATION (God wants us all to arrive at action, life-changing faith)

Heartlight (Great for practical application of scripture)

The Message (MSG) (An easy-to-read paraphrase that helps some with application)

Precept Austin Devotionals

Scripture Graphics

I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
What transformative move needs to be made?
You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.