Sunday, October 19, 2014

Deeper, Part 5 (1 John 2:15-17) Questions for Reflection


Dig Deeper

In 1 John 2:12-14 John uses three common life-stages, children, young men, and fathers, to demonstrate spiritual growth from new convert to maturity. Of the young John declares, “you have overcome the evil one” (1 John 2:13, 14b). Here John introduces one of his favorite themes, the Christian’s certainty of victory. Bible scholar F.F. Bruce explains, “Of the 28 occurrences of the verb nikan (“to overcome”) in the New Testament, 24 are in John’s writings… Thus the victory motif is peculiarly Johannine.”[1]

What insights about the Christian’s victory through Christ are gleaned from the following Scriptures?

John 16:33--

1 John 2:13-14; 4:4; and 4:4-5--

Revelation 3:5, 12, 21; 12:11; 15:2-3; and 21:7--

How is victory a motivation for pursuing a deeper walk with Christ? 1 John 2:14

Application

What life-stage best represents your present relationship with God-- child (new-convert), youth, or father? What challenges to growth are revealed in the following Scriptures?

Children-- 1 Peter 2:2; 1 John 2:1, 12, 28--

Youth-- Romans 12:9-11; Titus 2:6-8; 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 4:5; and Hebrews 5:12

Fathers-- 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 2:1-5;

Memorize This

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world. HCSB




[1] F. F. Bruce The Epistles of John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986

No comments: