Free group study handout
1 John 3: Group Study Handout
How to use: read 1 John 3 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
The Father has given great love, allowing believers to be called children of God (vv. 1-2). Knowing they are children of God, those with this hope strive for purity (vv.
Key verse
“See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him.”
1 John 3:1 (WEB)
Outline
- 1 John 3:1–2 The Father's Love for Us
- 1 John 3:3–6 Purity and Sinlessness
- 1 John 3:7–10 Righteousness as Evidence
- 1 John 3:11–15 The Command to Love
- 1 John 3:16–18 Demonstrating Christ-like Love
- 1 John 3:19–22 Assurance Before God
- 1 John 3:23–24 Commandments of Belief and Love
Discussion questions
- In v1, what does John say we should be 'called', and why does the world not know us?
- Why does John bring up Cain in v12, and what does he say Cain's deeds were?
- John says in v9 that whoever is 'born of God' cannot sin, yet v20 allows that 'our heart condemns us': how do these fit together?
- In v16, 'he laid down his life for us' becomes 'we ought to lay down our lives': what would that cost you?
- Who near you is 'in need' this week, and what would it mean not to close your heart against him?
Go deeper
Passages that echo 1 John 3: 1 John 4, Romans 8, 1 John 2.
Before next time: read 1 John 4.