Lesson 6 Let No One Deceive You 1 John 3:1-10 Introduction Just as children bear the physical nature of their parents, so God's children bear His nature. When we become born again spiritually we have a new nature. We set aside our old way of thinking and acting and take on a completely new way. As we grow in our faith we become more and more like Jesus. If someone says they are born of God but there is no evidence they look or act anything like Jesus then we must be cautious maybe they are trying to deceive us. John states that a true child of God will prove his spiritual birth by being obedient to God's Word. Pause and pray before you start your homework. Ask the Lord to help you to be more and more like Him! O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee, Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art! Come in Thy sweetness, Come in Thy fullness Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart. - T. Chisholm Memory Scripture And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure. 1 John 3:3 Commentary The U.S. Treasury Department has a special group of people whose job it is to find counterfeiters. In order to track down these deceivers they spend hours examining real money. They become so familiar with authentic bills that they can spot a counterfeit bill by looking at it or even feeling it. This is the approach here in 1 John 3. This chapter warns us that in today's world there are counterfeit Christians children of the devil (1 John 3:10). Instead of focusing on the evil characteristics of Satan's children, John gives us a clear and real description of God's children. The lesson is obvious. If we know what God's children look like then we will not be deceived by counterfeit Christians. The key verse of this chapter is 1 John 3:10. A true child of God practices righteousness and loves other Christians. But never forget that these words were not written so that you and I might check on other people. They were inspired so that we may examine ourselves. As you look into this chapter and grow in your understanding of what it means to be God's Elect Lady may the Holy Spirit quicken you to live the life that is real! Homework Questions: 1. Notice that John opens this chapter with the word, behold. This word means to take a good, long look at something. That's just what we're going to do with verses 1-10 today. Look at these verses and write down as many characteristics of a child of God as you behold. 2. Take a moment out of all the rush, stress and busyness of your day and ponder the words, we shall be like Him in verse 2. How does this truth encourage you to press on and be the Elect Lady that God has called you to be? Women s Ministry of Calvary Chapel South Bay, 19300 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 352-3333
3. We know that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Oh how accurate and wonderful this truth is! Unfortunately though, some Christians think because they are saved they can live any way they please. Read 1 John 3:6 and share how you would refute this kind of thinking. 4. Deception has always been a problem that has attacked believers throughout the ages. God tells us one thing in His Word and Satan bombards us with lies to counter these truths. What confidence does verse 8 give you regarding standing against the deception of the devil. 5. The Elect Lady must choose to rise up and stand against the deceptions of today! Because of the Lord she has the power to walk in righteousness and truth. From the amplified verses below share what you learn that strengthens you today against the spirit of deception? a. 1 John 1:8-10 8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts]. 9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. 10 If we say (claim) we have not sinned, we contradict His Word and make Him out to be false and a liar, and His Word is not in us [the divine message of the Gospel is not in our hearts]. b. Ephesians 4:14-16 14 So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. 15 Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one). 16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love. c. Ephesians 5:3-7 3 But immorality (sexual vice) and all impurity [of lustful, rich, wasteful living] or greediness must not even be named among you, as is fitting and proper among saints (God's consecrated people). 4 Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God].5 For be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vice or impurity in thought or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain]--for he [in effect] is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for these sins], for through these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience. 7 So do not associate or be sharers with them. Tuesday Night's Reflection Question: Share one thing from tonight's teaching that spoke to your heart and why.
Lesson 7 Letting Your Love Show 1 John 3:11-24 Introduction In John's letter this week the emphasis will be on our relationship with other believers. Christians love one another because they have all been born of God, which makes them all brothers and sisters in Christ. The challenge for us is letting our love show! When others, especially non-believers, see our love it makes a powerful influence on them. It would be a great idea to stop right now and pray. Ask the Lord for His love to manifest itself in the words you speak and the life you live. Memory Scripture Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love Hymn My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18 Commentary Christian love involves sacrifice and service. It is personal and active. Christ did not simply talk about His love; He died to prove it. God does not ask us to die like He did but He does ask us to help our brothers and sisters in need even when it costs us. True Christian love means loving in deed and in truth. If we only say we love others it is no more than talk. It's not enough for the Christian woman to just talk about the needs that surround her, she must do something about meeting those needs. You may think because you have discussed a need, or even prayed about it, that you have done your duty, but as we will learn in this lesson, love involves more than words it calls for sacrificial deeds. 1 John 3 teaches us there are four levels on which a person may live. He may choose the lowest level like Cain and practice murder. Or, a person may choose the next level hatred. Some choose to live in indifference unresponsive to the needs of others. But the only happy, holy way to live is on the highest level the level of Christian love. May your study this week challenge you to love on the highest level and to live more and more like Jesus did! Homework Questions: 1. Read 1 John 3:11-12. What is the message that John reminds us we have heard from the beginning? 2. There's a stark contrast between believers and the world: love and hate. If we love with God's love the world will often hate us, because we make them painfully aware of their selfish way of living. From 1 John 3:13 what should be our response to their hate? Women s Ministry of Calvary Chapel South Bay, 19300 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 352-3333
3. Heathens of the first century observed Christians and stated: Behold, how they love one another; they are ready to die for one another. Love is the most powerful witness we have but it isn't always easy to love. From the amplified verses below what actions should the Elect Lady take when she finds herself dealing with anger or hatred? a. Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. b. Ephesians 4:30-32 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God's own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin). 31 Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). 32 And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you. c. 1 Timothy 2:8 8 I desire therefore that in every place men should pray, without anger or quarreling or resentment or doubt [in their minds], lifting up holy hands. 4. Read 1 John 3:18. Describe what you think the difference is between loving in word and loving in deed. 5. John lists several commandments for us to live by in 1 John 3:22-24. What are they? Tuesday Night's Reflection Question: Share one thing from tonight's teaching that spoke to your heart and why.
Lesson 8 Pattern For Love 1 John 4:1-16 Introduction In our passage of scripture this week the apostle John will take us to the very foundation of our faith - Christian love. God revealed His love to mankind in many ways. The greatest expression of His love was when He sent His Son Jesus to die for us at Calvary. This one act forever became for us a pattern of love. True love is never static or inactive. It is always at work. Oh how we need to understand, embrace, and act upon the instruction in this passage! Say a prayer asking the Lord to enable you to do this in your study of this lesson. Thank Him for His Word which guides us and gives us the perfect pattern for love. Years I spent in vanity and pride, caring not my Lord was crucified, knowing not it was for me He died, on Calvary. Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me; there my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary Hymn Memory Scripture Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7 Commentary Once again we are considering the subject of love! This does not mean John has run out of ideas and is repeating himself. It means that the Holy Spirit, who inspired John, has much to say to us regarding the topic of love. In this portion of scripture we will discover why love is such an important part of the Christian life. Just as a compass naturally points north, so too will a true believer naturally love the brethren. When the Christian woman abides in God's love she is a powerful witness for Him in the world. As she follows the pattern of love her Savior has set forth others are greatly influenced. Even though they cannot see God visibly they can see Him moving her to acts of helpfulness and kindness. They can see Him changing her from the inside out! Homework Questions: 1. For the Elect Lady, walking with the Lord involves not only our heart but also our minds. Read 1 John 4:1-3. John challenges us to use our heads so that we will not be deceived or gullible to false teachings. He exhorts us to try the spirits. The word try literally means to test. Why were they to test or try the spirits? 2. What assurance does 1 John 4:4-6 give you that will help you to be an overcomer when you are confronted by the false teachers of today? Women s Ministry of Calvary Chapel South Bay, 19300 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 352-3333
3. 1 John 4:7-9 emphasizes in a fresh way the importance of our loving one another. As you read through these verses you must keep in mind this is not just a passionate appeal from John but a command of God. Take a moment to reflect on your relationships with others. How are you putting this command to love into practice when you're offended, upset, or crushed? 4. Read 1 John 4:10-12. God's love is at work in us and is maturing us. It's not enough for us to just say that we love others it must be evident in our life. Look at the amplified scriptures below and share what is required of us in loving others. a. John 15:11-13 11 I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing. 12 This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. b. Matt 18:21-22 21 Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? [As many as] up to seven times? 22 Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven! c. Heb 12:14-15 14 Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord. 15 Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it. 5. Read 1 John 4:13-16. By now we should be thoroughly convinced and know that we are God's children. Who has God given to us so that we know we dwell in Him, and He in us? Tuesday Night's Reflection Question: Share one thing from tonight's teaching that spoke to your heart and why.
Lesson 9 Be An Overcomer! 1 John 4:17-5:5 Introduction The Christian life is to be a daily experience of growing. As we grow we naturally begin to overcome our fleshly tendencies. We must grow especially in love. This happens as we get to know our Heavenly Father in a much deeper way. The result of this deeper fellowship is love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we love, we can overcome any obstacle in our walk with the Lord. Before you begin answering homework questions take a moment to pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to any area in your walk that you need to grow in so you can be an overcomer! To keep Your lovely face, ever before my eyes This is my prayer, make it my strong desire that in my secret heart, no other love competes no rival throne survives and I serve only You. G.Kendrick Memory Scripture For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4 Commentary The Elect Lady is born of God. This simply means that she has a new nature - the divine nature within her. She is no longer controlled by her old nature but this new nature that is in her, and as a result she overcomes sin and the world. The word overcome is a favorite which John used throughout all of his writings. In our portion of scripture this week he's using the word again as a reference to the true Christian. In other words, because we have been born or God, we are overcomers. The more we know Him the better we love Him, and the better we love Him the more we become like Him. As God's love is perfected in us, we do not live in fear. Because fear is cast out, we can obey, we can love, and we can face the world with victorious faith and overcome instead of being overcome. What an exciting way to live! Homework Questions: 1. Read 1 John 4:17-19. God's perfect love at work in our hearts not only removes the fear of eternal punishment but releases us from the tormenting fear in every area of our lives. In our day and age fear can be justifiable. After all, we are bombarded by constant news about a possible terror attack, daily drive-by shootings, senseless killings, the threat of nuclear weapons, a failing economy, high gas and food prices, to mention only a few. What do these verses say about perfect love that helps us to be an overcomer? 2. Now read 1 John 4:20, 21. When we are overcomers we not only love God but we love our brothers and sisters. Examine your heart in the searchlight of verses 20 and 21. Why is love for God and hatred for other Christians incompatible? Women s Ministry of Calvary Chapel South Bay, 19300 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 352-3333
3. In 1 John 5:1-3 John states that our love for God and obedience to His commandments cannot be separated. After reading these verses what do we learn about God's commandments? 4. Until a person has faith in the Son of God, the spirit of the world will remain supreme in his soul no matter how pious and good he may seem or try to be. John insists that we walk in our privileged right of being overcomers. What do you learn from the amplified verses below that will assure you that you can consistently overcome the world? a. John 16:33 33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence.in the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] b. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose]. c. Romans 8:37-39 37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, 39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 5. We have been given the power to overcome the world. John wanted us to know and understand this powerful truth. When you sense the world trying to seduce or defeat you, how will 1 John 5:4, 5 help you maintain the victory? Tuesday Night's Reflection Question: Share one thing from tonight's teaching that spoke to your heart and why.
Lesson 10 The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit 1 John 5:6-21 Introduction There's something about our human nature that gives us a deep desire for certainty. We want to know the details of particular situations. As women, we just want to know the facts about things! Well, knowing this about us, John gives us several things we can know for sure in these closing verses of 1 John. He gives us divine certainties on which we can build our lives with confidence. One of these divine certainties is the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Take a moment to pray right now. Ask the Lord to help you to be sensitive to His Spirit within you and to learn from His Word this week all that He desires. Memory Scripture Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, alone can turn our hearts from sin; His power alone can sanctify and keep us pure within.thy Holy Spirit, Lord, alone can deeper love inspire; His power alone within our souls can light the sacred fire. (Hymn) Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. John 16:13 Commentary The Christian woman knows there are many certainties in her faith. She is not afraid to say I know when it comes to spiritual truths. In fact, the word know occurs thirty-nine times in John's brief letter, eight times in this closing chapter. The life that is real is built on the divine certainties that are found in Jesus Christ. In these closing verses of John's letter we find five Christian certainties on which we can build our lives. We can know with confidence that: (1) Jesus is God; (2) Believers have eternal life; (3) God answers prayer; (4) Christians do not practice sin and finally (5) The Christian life is the real life. The Elect Lady has the awesome privilege of knowing the Spirit of God dwells in her. This gives her the confidence that she belongs to Christ. May the Lord deepen your awareness of the Holy Spirit living in you as you study these final verses in the book of 1 John. Homework Questions: 1. Read 1 John 5:6-10. We often proclaim what we believe about God in the hymns we sing, for example, Holy, Holy, Holy, God in three Persons, blessed Trinity. From these verses what truth does John emphasize we are to believe? 2. Read 1 John 5:11-13. The word know simply means to be assured without any hesitation. How do you know you have eternal life? Women s Ministry of Calvary Chapel South Bay, 19300 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 352-3333
3. God has given us His Spirit so we know that we dwell in Him and He in us. John continues to passionately build within us this confidence and assurance that dispels fear, rids our lives of unforgiveness, hatred and bitterness and strengthens us with boldness to face life's overwhelming challenges. In order to do this, we must have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit freely working in and through us. What do the following amplified verses reveal about the work of the Spirit in the life of the elect lady? a. John 14: 16-18 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever17 The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you. b. John 14: 26 26 But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. c. John 16:13 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 4. Read 1 John 5:14-17. This portion of scripture assures us that we can know that God hears and answers our prayers. It also assures us that there is power in prayer! John wanted the saints to know and believe their prayers had a mighty effect in the lives of their brothers and sisters that had fallen into sin. But there were conditions for answered prayer. From verse 14 what are the conditions? 5. Read 1 John 5:18-21. If John could speak to us today he would say, little children there are divine certainties you must know in order to walk through this life in victory and not in defeat. What are some of the things that you must know from these verses? Tuesday Night's Reflection Question: Share one thing from tonight's teaching, that spoke to your heart and why.