Chapter Summary

God's love magnified and the believer exhorted to holiness. Brotherly love urged. How our hearts may be assured before God.

Discussion Questions for 1 John, Chapter 3

1. What does it mean to you that you are God's child (cf. verse 1)? What is a good response to God for making us His children?
2. According to verse 1, why doesn't the world know us? What does this say about our connection to God?
3. According to verse 2, has God revealed to us everything He has in store for us? What do you anticipate will happen? Why does this give you comfort or encouragement?
4. Verse 3 says, "And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure" (CSB). Why would our hope in Christ drive us to maintain purity of life?
5. According to verse 5, did Jesus ever sin? What difference does it make that He is without sin? Would He be able to be our Savior if He had sinned? Why or why not?
6. Does verse 6 mean that Christians never sin or that Christians do not continuously sin? Why do you believe this to be true?
7. According to verse 8, the person who continuously commits sin is of the devil. What do you think this means? Why does the devil lead people to sin against God?
8. How does the Son of God "destroy the devil's works" (verse 8, CSB)? How have you seen Jesus destroy the devil's works in your life?
9. Why do you believe the world hates Christians (cf. verse 13)? Why should it be a comfort to us to know that the world despised our Savior as well?
10. According to verse 17, what should be the motivating factor for helping fellow believers in need? Why?

Key Words/Phrase

Purity, v. 3. Love, v. 14.

Characters

God, Christ, Satan, Cain, John.

Strong Verse(s)

1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 14, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24.