1 John 4: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 John 4 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Believers are warned to test the spirits to see if they are from God, as many false prophets are in the world (vv. 1-3). Those who confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh are recognized as being from God. The believers are assured that they are from God and have overcome the false spirits because God is greater than them (vv. 4-6). God's love is revealed through the sending of his Son, so those who love have been born of God (vv. 7-12). The presence of God's Spirit confirms that believers remain in him, and through love, they can be bold at judgment (vv. 13-18). Finally, anyone who claims to love God must also love their brother. A person who hates their brother is a liar (vv. 19-21).

Key verse

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God.”
1 John 4:7 (WEB)

Outline

1 John 4:1–3 Discernment of Spirits
1 John 4:4–6 Overcoming the World
1 John 4:7–12 God's Love Revealed
1 John 4:13–18 Assurance in Love
1 John 4:19–21 Love for One Another

Discussion questions

In v2, what must a spirit do to be recognized as 'of God'? But what about those who don't?
In v8, why does John say that 'God is love'?
The mention of 'the Antichrist' in v3: what does John imply about the spirits opposed to God?
In v20, why does John argue that one who hates his brother is a liar?
When have you felt challenged to love someone, as John urges in v11, despite difficulties?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 John 4: John 3, Romans 8, 1 John 2.

Before next time: read 1 John 5.