1 John 3:11-24 (NIRV)
11 From the beginning we have heard that we should love one another. 12 Don’t be like Cain. He belonged to the evil one. He murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because the things Cain had done were wrong. But the things his brother had done were right. 13 My brothers and sisters, don’t be surprised if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have left our old dead way of life. And we have entered into new life. We know this because we love one another. Anyone who doesn’t love still lives in their old condition. 15 Anyone who hates their brother or sister is a murderer. And you know that no murderer has eternal life.
16 We know what love is because Jesus Christ gave his life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 Suppose someone sees a brother or sister in need and is able to help them. And suppose that person doesn’t take pity on these needy people. Then how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, don’t just talk about love. Put your love into action. Then it will truly be love.
19 Here’s how we know that we hold to the truth. And here’s how we put our hearts at rest, knowing that God is watching. 20 If our hearts judge us, we know that God is greater than our hearts. And he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not judge us, we can be bold with God. 22 And he will give us anything we ask. That’s because we obey his commands. We do what pleases him. 23 God has commanded us to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ. He has also commanded us to love one another. 24 The one who obeys God’s commands remains joined to him. And he remains joined to them. Here is how we know that God lives in us. We know it because of the Holy Spirit he gave us.
Discussion:
1. Cain and Abel: What does the story of Cain and Abel teach us about the connection between hatred and action? How does this relate to how we treat others?
2. The Message from the Beginning: What is "the message you heard from the beginning"? Why is it so important to John to emphasize this foundational truth?
3. The World's Hate: John says the world will hate believers. Why? Is this surprising? How do we distinguish between worldly hate and constructive criticism?
4. Love and Life: How does love demonstrate that we have passed from death to life? Is love simply a feeling, or is there more to it?
5. Laying Down Our Lives: What does it mean to "lay down our lives for our brothers"?
6. Practical Love: John talks about having worldly goods and seeing a brother in need. How does this passage challenge our understanding of generosity and practical love?
7. Confidence Before God: What is the relationship between obedience to God's commands and our confidence before Him? How does obedience impact our prayer life?
8. Abiding in Christ: What does it mean to "abide in Him, and He in us"? How does this mutual abiding relate to love and obedience? How can we cultivate this abiding relationship?
9. Love and Belief: How does this passage connect belief in Jesus Christ with the command to love one another? Are these two concepts separable? Why or why not?
Reflections:
10. How does this passage challenge your understanding of love?
