In this eight-week summer study, we read John’s letter to a community in turmoil where John reminds his people and us of the good news of God’s unmerited Love and our calling to demonstrate that love towards others. For background on this study, I have used Ben Witherington’s Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians, Luke Timothy Johnson’s The Writings of the New Testament, and Oliver Clement’s On Human Being. This summer study covers six to eight weeks.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with …
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is …
If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the expiation for our sins, and not …
The anointing which you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that any one should teach you; as his anointing teaches …
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and so we are.
Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth.
Little children, you are of God, and have overcome the spirit of the antichrist, for he who is in you is greater than he who …
In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins. …
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached …
There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree.