Knowing That You Know: 1 John 2
Big Idea: God wants you to be confident that you really know him.
1 John 2:3
Assurance: a believer’s confidence that he or she truly knows and is known by God.
The problem with purely subjective knowing
1 John 2:4
Isaiah 26:8
The problem with purely objective knowing
1 John 2:7-11
1 Corinthians 8:1-2
John 9:40-41
The hope of “complete” knowing
1 John 2:5-6
John 15:1-4
Message Questions
Arguably no one was closer to Jesus than John. Known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” John got to see the abundant life of Jesus up close and personal. And after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, John experienced a life of following Jesus longer than any other New Testament author. Now, at the end of a life well lived, having nearly finished the race, John has some thoughts he’d like to share with us. What does it look like to embrace the new life that Jesus offers us? What will bring abundance and joy? According to John, it looks like walking in love, truth, and light. This week we are in 1 John 2:3-11, and the big idea is: God wants you to be confident that you really know him.
Use these questions to discuss the message from Sunday, focusing on how you can grow as an everyday follower of Jesus and how you can go accomplish what Jesus calls you to do.
- Have someone read 1 John 2:3-6. According to John, how can we be confident that we really know God? How does obedience to God’s commands build assurance?
- Have someone read 1 John 2:7-8. John says the command is both “old” and “new.” What do you think he means by that, and why does it matter?
- Have someone read 1 John 2:9-11. Why is love for others such a central test of whether we’re walking in the light? How can we tell if we’re deceiving ourselves?
- Where do you sense God inviting you to grow in love and obedience—not just in belief, but in practice?
- How can you go and extend God’s love to someone in your life this week, especially someone who’s been hard to love?
