Basic Bible Study Tips:

       The text above makes it very clear that much emphasis is placed upon the Word
  of God.  It is important not just to read it but to study it and give great exertion to
  understanding it the way it is written.  The word translated “study” is “spoudazo”
  [spouda'zw] a word which means to give great diligence or exertion, exercise to
  study something for understanding in the most intricate knowledge possible.  We
  can see from the plain sense of the text that the apostolic writer means for us to
  take the words of Scripture literally, at face value.  The Word of God, just as God
  Himself does not change in character, value, meaning, intent, weight or importance.
  It is immutable, unchanging, because it shares that part of the character or nature
  of God Himself.  The Bible is always to be taken as literal in every context unless it
  states that the words are figurative, parabolic or hyperbole, or even allegory.  It is
  the Word of God from start to finish.  No one part is more or less inspired than
  another.  It is all true as it is written.  When it quotes other sources, other than God,
  who have made false statements, the record is a correct one even when the state- 
  ments are false.
 

       When we approach the Bible, then, it is to learn and not to justify preconceived
  ideas we may already have learned or formed on our own.  It is necessary to learn
  our views from the Word and not to try to force our ideas into the pages of holy
  writ.  We do God disservice when we use the pick and choose method of Bible
  study.  We, as finite beings can ill afford to pick out bits of information to believe and
  dismiss the rest as unnecessary, unbelievable, or unacceptable. It is what is said in
  the Bible that determines our faith, our standing, our life and living and not the
  other way around.  The Bible says what it says.  It may say more than what we can
  see on the surface, but it never says less.  There is no person, no situation, no sin, no
  circumstance, no activity, no arena of life that the Bible does not address either in
  specifics or in principle.

       The primary reason for the penning of the Word of God is to draw man (you and
  I) to God.  Secondly, it gives us a godly basis upon which to found our lives in a
  manner that pleases God.  Thirdly, to give a reason for our hope to bring others to a
  saving relationship with Jesus Christ and to teach them, in turn, to depend upon
  Him and His direction for their lives.  The first thing in any study is to determine
  the text to be studied.  Then, I suggest that you read through the entire context
  several times.  As you read you are looking for several things.  As you read, you are
  observing the text to determine the main emphasis of the passage.  You are also
  looking for direction in narrative and action, trying to determine what is taking
  place in the text.  You are also identifying who the actors are.  That is, who are the
  persons named in the text and what their importance is to it?

       As you read you are also asking yourself some important questions.  These help
  you focus on the content and the importance of that content to the persons involved
  and to you. Some basic questions to consider would be:

        1. What is the occasion for the writing of this passage?
        2. What is the flow of the overall context?
        3. What seem to be the theme of the passage in question?
        4. How does the particular text I'm considering contribute to the overall
            context?
        5. What basic or Spiritual truths are discussed or disclosed?
        6. Is there some spiritual or direct lesson for me to learn here?
        7. Is there some sin I need to confess to God and forsake?
        8. Is there a particular weakness or area of deficiency I need to work on?
        9. How can I best implement the teaching contained to my benefit?
       10. How can I best relate these truths to others in my circle?
       11. How can I best obey God?

       Every question won't need to be addressed in every context and circumstance,
  but some of them will.  You will be able to determine which apply, as well as being
  able to find solutions to any additional questions you, yourself may have.  Now, the
  operative word here is “honesty” or “integrity“.  It is important that each of us see
  honestly what is being said to  us specifically.  Then, we need to be honest enough to
  admit to ourselves and to God that we are being addressed and that the assessment
  of God is true and correct.  Then, we should honestly want to change things to con-
  form with God's Word and will. 

       Now, it's time to consider a text which is of premiere importance to the building
  the Christian life.  We are going to consider 1 John (First John).  I will give you the
  text in small, easy to digest portions and ask a series of questions for you to search
  out.  It would be best if you wrote the questions out or copied them on your com-
  puter to consider and answer.  The results are yours and the benefits to the study
  are yours, alone.  You will not be sending me your work, but, I hope your study will
  give you some valuable information in your own Christian experience. 

  Study Session One:

       Turn your Bible to the book of 1 John in the back of the New Testament,
  following 1 and 2 Peter, and preceding Jude and Revelation.  I like the King James
  Bible and use it exclusively in teaching and preaching (except for illustration pur- 
  poses).  However, even though it is my version of choice, it may not be yours. The
  Bible was not given to us in Jacobean English (to the surprise and dismay of many)
  but was penned in Hebrew (most of the Old Testament), Aramaic (@ 1/3 of the
  book of Daniel) and koine’ Greek (the entire New Testament).  Since it is not my
  desire to teach New Testament Greek here, I leave the text up to you. 

       I suggest you start by reading 1 John in one sitting, all the way through, at least
  once.  Two or three readings, or, more would be of greater benefit for you, though.

       Having accomplished the reading(s), I would like you to approach the text again
  with questions and thoughts to consider as you read. 

        1. What would you consider is the theme of chapter one? 
        2. What would you say the theme of chapter two is? 
        3. What is the theme of chapter three? 
        4. What is the theme of chapter four? 
        5. What is the theme of chapter five? 

       Taking your responses to the above into consideration, what would you say is the
  theme of the entire book of First John? The human author of First John is John the
  apostle, who also penned Second and Third John, the Gospel of John, as well as the
  Revelation.  Now, go back and meditate upon verses 1 through 3 in First John 1.
  Using any resource you have (Bible handbook, commentaries, chain reference Bible,
  Scofield footnotes, etc.), who or what is John referring to in these verses?  Who is
  the “us” in verse three?  What does John mean by the phrase “the Word of life” in
  verses 1 and two?

       In verse 3, why does John say “we declared unto you”? What “we” is he referring
  to who would have seen and heard “these things”?  What is the “these things” men-
  tioned here?  How does John authenticate his message in verses 1-3?  Is his state-
  ment valid?  How is it possible for us, today, to have fellowship with the apostolic
  writers and the First Century Christians?

       When we, here and now, are having continual fellowship with each other, as well as
  the First Century Church, with Whom are we also having on-going fellowship?
  (Hint:  notice the case of the pronoun in my question).

       Maybe it would be a bit easier to understand what is meant about having fellow-
  ship with those who have long ago passed from the earthly scene, when we consider
  the Greek term used.  The word here is “koinonia” [koinwnia] which means to hold
  something in common.  In other words, when we agree in our faith and practice with
  those early Christians we are in fellowship with their faith and practice.  What does
  this passage (verses 1-3) have to say specifically to you, as a believer in the
  Twenty-First Century?

  SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:

         1. Do I have this kind of fellowship?
         2. What does this fellowship require of me?
         3. What does John's first person testimony in the First Century have to do with
             me in the Twenty-First Century?

       This ends the first session.

  Study Session Two:

       How would you interpret what you’ve learned thus far?  What do we mean by
  interpretation?  We have been investigating a certain set of verses, making obser-
  vations, as we go which will lead us to certain conclusions when all are considered
  together.  We make observations all the time about many, many things and we
  draw conclusions based upon our personalities, our bent, even our prejudices or
  prejudgments.  When we interpret Scripture, however, we are looking for God’s
  view point not ours.  We want to see God’s wisdom not the wisdom of men.  We
  seek God’s will above our own.  We are looking for clues in the Bible to bring about
  a change in us.  We are not bringing our pre determinations to the Word to reshape
  it.  It matters less how we see something, than how God views the matter.

       It would be a very helpful thing to reread 1 John chapter 1, especially if it has
  been a day or two since you’ve tackled the questions of session #1.  Having done
  that, let us move on to consider verses 4 through 10, the remainder of the chapter.
  Observe the wording of the verses of the remainder of the chapter.  Now, turn back
  to the Gospel of John and observe the wording of chapter 1, verses 1 through 9, 14-
  18. 

       Note the similarities of imagery and wording.  John the baptist makes a revel- 
  ation about the One he came to introduce to Israel and the world.  Of whom did he
  speak?  Of whom does 1 John 1:1-3 speak.  What we have done is to look for clues in
  the immediate context of the book we are studying, and then, we looked for similar
  clues in another writing penned by the same writer.  The parallels do apply.  Having
  made these observations, what conclusions would you be able to draw from the first
  few verses of First John?  Now remember John is speaking of the same Person in
  both contexts but from largely differing perspectives. In the Gospel account, John
  sees the man Jesus Whom he discovered, as did all the disciples, was and is God the
  Son.

       In First John, a few decades later, Jesus the Son of God has to be demonstrated
  as One Who is also in touch with our humanity.  In one the human perspective had
  to be elevated to the proper place in human thinking and in the other, a stilted view
  had to be brought down to the level of human identification. The Gospel account
  was written to allow man to be seen in heavenly things, by faith in His Word.  First
  John was written so that God could be seen to be concerned in human things, by
  faith in His Word. 

       In verse four, John refers to the subject matter of his message, of which he has
  testified in verses 1-3.  From where does he say he received his message? 

       What is his message in verse five?  Is this a different message than the message
  of verse four?  Explain. 

       What does verse five say about the character of God? What does the “light”
  represent? 

       What does ”darkness” refer to?
       What is the overwhelming condition for fellowship with God in verse six?
       What does meeting this condition produce in verse seven?
       What figure is given for on-going forgiveness in verse seven?
       Looking at verse eight, if we refuse to see sin in our own lives and hearts, what
  are we doing to ourselves?  Is that wise?

       What is our relationship as Christians with absolute truth?
       If not facing our sin or sinful leanings keeps us from fellowship with the truth,
  what does that say about our fellowship with the Person of Jesus Christ?  Take John
  14:6 into consideration as you answer. 

       Confession of sin in Scripture always carries with it a presupposition that you are
  also forsaking the sin, too.  See Proverbs 28:13.  In light of this fact, what is he tell- 
  ing us in verse nine?

       As you consider verse ten, answer this question honestly and accurately about
  man.  By maintaining our moral innocence before the world, what are we testifying
  about God?  What is demonstrated to all about us?  Can this person be in true
  fellowship with God and maintain the assertions of verse ten?

       If one of the parties is, of necessity, lying who would it be;  man who is spiritually
  and morally bankrupt?  Or, a holy, righteous, immutable God?  Good sense opts on
  the side of man in this instance.  It is unwise to maintain our conditional innocence
  in the face of  the unconditionally perfect Person of God. 

       Let me attempt to drive the absolute contrast home.  A number of years ago I
  heard a preacher use an illustration in preaching about the prophet Jonah.  You
  remember Jonah, he went whale fishing with live bait.  Anyway, he gave an illustra-
  tion.  It was perfectly disgusting, but it was effective.  He reminded us that after he
  was swallowed, Jonah was in the belly of that “sea creature” for three days and
  three nights. 

       Then he went on to discuss the stomach contents of that great creature.  There
  was Jonah, of course, and everything that animal had swallowed that day.  Fish, sea
  weed, sea kelp, a piece of wreckage or two.  And remember, this was lunch, so, all
  that stuff was digesting in a sea of digestive juices and bile so strong that it would
  bleach a man’s skin and hair.  This, the stench of the digesting food and his weak-
  ness from being in the sea and now trapped in the abysmally close and hot confine-
  ment of a whale’s stomach worked on his psyche until he he remembered it was his
  disobedience that had caused the problem he now faced. 

       And he prayed from that disgusting place he referred to as “the belly of hell”.
  Then, the whale vomited him up.  There he was;  weak, worn, his skin slimy from
  partial digestion, smelling of decayed fish and sea weed and bile.  Then the preacher
  made his point about Jonah. “And there he lay, MAN -- (raising his voice to em- 
  phasize it) -- IN ALL HIS GLORY!”

       My fellow member of the human race, no matter who we are.  We are still saved
  by GRACE.  It is still the MERCY of the cross that makes us worthy of heaven not
  our own merit (Titus 3:5).  We have none apart from Christ.  Man, by himself has
  no glory, no worth, no merit, no wisdom.  What does any of us possess that God has
  not given us?  What has any of us accomplished that God has not given us the ability
  for? 

       Isaiah summed it up very well when he wrote: “But we are all as an unclean
  thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags....” In view here, if I may be
  blunt, are the refuse cast outs from a woman of child bearing age, a menstruous
  woman.  And you though the picture of Jonah was graphic!  But, this is exactly what
  our sin has done to us and why we need to be made clean in the blood of the Lamb
  of God (Romans 3:23, 24).

       Once we see how unrighteous we are as human beings and see how holy God is,
  we should have no problem crying out, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner” and re-
  ceiving what He has to offer freely.  Click on this link to consider God’s Plan of
  Salvation for you.

  Study Session Three:

       Before we undertake to get a handle on chapter two, I want to bring out a couple
  of things about verses 6-10 in chapter 1.  Verses 1-5 establish the record and char-
  acter of God, the Author of the message.

       In verses 6-10 we have a set of third-class conditional clauses in the Greek.  This
  is the condition of possible doubt. It states what may or may not be, depending on
  the circumstances or conditions set forth in the claims that are made.  It states that
  “if” certain conditions are true “then” certain other conditions will follow.  Since
  we are comparing profession to the Word and character of God, there is a specific
  standard, an absolute which dictates the results of the situation.

       In some cases we with may be dealing with statements of ignorance where the
  speaker may not know the determining facts.  In other instances the one professing
  a stable faith relationship with God is making false, audacious  statements.  In either
  case, when compared to God’s standard, they are equally false.  Heart attitude is
  what determines the validity of the statements.  The verbs are also present (tense),
  active (voice), indicative (mood) and are characterized by continuous action.  It is
  the consistency of the profession and the attitudes that make them so condemning
  or redeeming in this passage.  If I might be audacious enough to claim a privileged
  relationship and, at the same time my heart is entertaining an ongoing sinful
  attitude, then I am only fooling myself, possibly my neighbor, but never God.  The
  opposite of one's profession is often the case.

       Let me also offer a word of warning here.  We are not to use this as an occasion
  to judge our brethren, our family members, our enemies or anyone else.  We may
  be able to determine who may or may not be saved, but certainly not who is or is
  not saved.  Only God can read and know a heart.  Only God can make any final pro-
  nouncements upon people.  Only God can convict of sin and righteousness.  We are
  not to give ourselves the luxury of judgment.   We are not to play Holy Spirit, but
  allow Him to do His own job according to His knowledge and not according to ours.
  As another friend (Rev. Art Williams) once put it, “You mind your business and
  allow God to mind His!”  With that said, let’s push on.

       Each of the five verses contains a statement of possibility, three are negative
  from a human perspective, and two are positive.

       Verse 6, note the “If” which denotes the possible condition.  The condition is this:
  “IF”  we are continuously suggesting that we are presently having continuous
  fellowship with God, and at the same time, we are continuously entertaining sin in
  our hearts and practice, we are continually lying.  The result:  And we are contin-
  ually not doing the truth, or are never doing the truth.

       Now there is a solution.  John is talking to Christians, believers in Jesus Christ.
   They are saved, though, some don’t look much like it.  Those in verse 6 have
  simply started to express themselves like the lost.  They need to confess that fact
  and start living like believers.  We’ll see this again in a few verses.

       Verse 7 expresses the first of the positives, as verse 6 stated the first negative.
  Here we see both the antithesis to verse 6 and the answer to those trapped in sin.
  Change your attitude about the sin you’ve been entertaining in your flesh, in your
  mind. Remember, John’s purpose is to restore and establish fellowship between
  believers and God (1:3). 

       Not the first word here. “But”.  This is a statement of contrast.  But if our contin-
  ual practice is that we are walking or living in the light, that is, in the constant, con-
  scious presence of God, then our fellowship will be unbroken.  We have ongoing
  fellowship with other believers and we are continually offering ourselves to be
  cleansed of our transgressions.  Yes, Christians certainly can and do sin.  However,
  we know what to do about it when we do.  We are to keep short accounts with sin.
  And the blood of Jesus Christ is continuously cleansing us as the result of our con-
  stant confession.

       I heard a fellow years ago on the radio.  He had called in to participate in a dis-
  cussion on this topic on a Christian call-in program.  He stated that he doesn’t sin
  and hasn’t since he was saved, “x”-number of years ago.  He does, however, make
  mistakes from time to time, but he doesn’t sin.  Let’s not be cute about such things.
  Let’s not try a game of semantics with God.  It won’t work.  Look at verse 8.  If our
  continual profession is that we do not have any sin, we are continually deceiving
  ourselves and the truth is continually not in us, or, to put it another way, “not in us
  at all”.  We can’t have it both ways. 

       If you cannot see your sin you cannot become a Christian.  If you are a Christian
   and cannot discern when you’ve sinned you cannot be in close fellowship with God.
  If you can discern it and won’t admit it, not only do you not have close fellowship
  with God, but you cannot even maintain fellowship on a personal level with other
  professing Christians.  However, again, the contrast is in the next verse.  Verse 9 is
  great news for all of us who hate sin, especially our own inconsistencies.  We use it in
  evangelism and I’ll not find fault with that because the principle applies to anyone
  who will confess his sin to the Lord to be forgiven.  However, it is not an evangelistic
  verse in this context.  It is a reminder to Christians, imperfect people in an imper- 
  fect world.  Sinners saved by grace who still have the capacity to fall into trespasses
  again against God.  Those of us whose hearts desire is to do and know the will of
  God and who sometimes miss the mark (sin), we are not abandoned by Jesus
  Christ.  If we will continually confess our sins to Him, He is continuously faithful and
  just (righteous), and on that basis, He will continually forgive us all our sin.  The
  proviso is that we “forsake” or renounce that sin, seeking God's forgiveness and His
  help to overcome it and find true spiritual victory in our lives in the flesh in this
  world.  Note Proverbs 28:13  “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:  but
  whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

       Can I become a Christian and then do anything I want?  Sure.  Because when I
  became a Christian I got a brand new “want”.  I want to please Him and I want a
  positive testimony for His sake.  If you profess to be a Christian and can truthfully
  say anything different, I doubt your conversion.  I’m not judging you but I’m not
  convinced.  And Scripture backs my position and it doesn’t yours.

       The fifth is in verse ten and also a negative. John left his readers with something
  to think about as he reiterates a previously stated truth.  If our continual profession
  is that we have not sinned, we make Him (God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit) a liar,
  because He said “all have sinned”.  And we have to believe this from a holy,
  righteous God Who cannot lie (Titus 1:2).  In such an unwise and unwarranted pro-
  fession, we sin.  And we must declare no contest.  If we are His then we shouldn’t
  mind accepting His assessment of us and all else in the world.  We shouldn’t mind
  owning up to our shortcomings before Him and asking for His forgiveness and
  strength to live the Christian life.  It’s no bed of roses, but with Him it can be done
  quite successfully.

  Study Session Four:

       In case we may not have drawn the proper conclusions above, John reiterates his
  conclusion once again.  God’s will for us is that we do not sin.  But we know that we
  possess not only the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9) but also the spirit of humanity.
  And therefore, we will at times decide on the side of humanity and err on the side of
  righteous behavior.  Though, this is contrary to the nature of God in us, it is consis-
  tent with humanity.  Therefore, it is essential to remember that He Who came in
  human flesh to redeem us from our sin (our nature in the flesh), also avails Himself
  to forgive us our sins (individual transgressions) against His righteousness.  We are
  continually having an Advocate (a Paraklete, One Who is called along side to help).
  This is the same word Jesus used when He spoke of the Holy Spirit Who would
  comfort us.  The Comforter (Paraklete) came to indwell and continually accompany
  us in our life in Christ.  Now Christ is seen in the same type role toward the believer
  (1 John 2:1).

       John is rehearsing old territory here.  He is about to introduce a new subject to
  his readers, though it isn’t new material.  Most of the preaching and teaching minis-
  try is reiteration, restatement, reminders and remembrance.  No wonder folks get
  so tired of us.  But they get tired of God, too.  They just can’t throw Him out.  John
  seemed to fare all right from the Christians, but, remember he was exiled by
  Domitian to the Aisle of Patmos not long after the writing of these letters.

        1. What is his reminder in verse one, as far as the will of God goes?
        2. What is his encouragement to them about individual sins.
        3. 1 John 2:2, the word propitiation is best understood as “God’s satisfaction”. 
            was  satisfied with the blood sacrifice of Christ.  For whom was that blood
            sacrifice offered?  Be careful, he mentions two groups.  Make sure you don’t
            miss anyone. 
        4. How can we be sure that we truly know Jesus Christ according to verse 3?
            How does  verse 4 contrast? 
        5. What two proofs are offered in verse 5 for the one who is keeping His Word? 
            The Greek word, rendered “perfected” (teleios [telei'oV]) here means 
          “complete” or “matured”.
        6. How is the true child of God to emulate Jesus Christ in verse 6?
        7. Verse seven is beginning a new discussion of a new matter in this letter, but
            which is an old matter in his teaching and in the doctrine of Christ from the 
            very beginning.  What is it he refers to as the old commandment?
        8. Look at verses 8-11. Now, in verse 8, the apostle is giving a new command-
             ment. Is it a brand new commandment or new to this discussion?
        9. Based upon the foundation of the old commandment (the Word of God) a new
            commandment is to be issued by John, who will eventually disclose what it is.
            But first he sets out characteristics of this new principle.  It is true in God and
            in you who have separated yourselves from the world and unto Christ.  In
            your lives Christ is taking hold and the darkness is passing away, the light
            being already here (verse 8). 

       Now, verse 9.  Whoever hates his brother (no matter how you define brother,
  but especially a Christian brother) is not really in the light and needs to come to the
  light.  In contrast, What does he say about one who loves his brother in verse 10?
  Explain verse 11.

  Study Session Five:

       Let me ask a couple of review questions here to freshen our thinking before we
  move on to consider the content of the next passage.  In verses 9-11, John is obvi-
  ously addressing a specific problem he sees going on.  What does his observation
  have to do with us some 2,000 years later?  In verse 11, the one who is hating his
  brother is a stumbling block, why?  Remember, his profession is that he is continu-
  ally in the light.  Where does one expect to see the kind of attitude that John des-
  cribes in this set of verses?  In the world or in the church?  To whom does John
  address the problem of in-fighting?  Does this same problem occur today?  How
  wide-spread would you say it is today?   Peter also addresses the house hold of God
  and reminds us that we are not exempt from God's discipline simply because we are
  the children of God.  What does Peter have to say (1 Peter 4:17)?