Key Text: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (1 John 4:7, NKJV)
The Student Will:
Know: Recognize authentic Christianity believes that Jesus is the Son of God, keeps the commandments, and loves God and others.
Feel: Experience the sufficiency of God’s grace.
Do: Present an unambiguous picture of what God wants us to be.
Lesson Outline:
Know: What It Is to Be an Authentic Christian
1. John presents two families: God’s and the church. Referring to 1 John, explain the characteristics of both. Reflect on how these families interrelate.
In 1 John it seems that the church primarily is portrayed as a family. There is the heavenly Father (12 times). In addition, John himself is a father figure of sorts, calling the church members “little children” (1 John 2:18). The church members are “children” (13 times), “fathers and young men” (each twice), and “brothers” (13 times). These terms imply a certain kind of intimacy, a close relationship and love for each other, and contain the notion of belonging together. Everyone is needed, and everyone has a place in God’s family. In addition, this family includes the Godhead. Consequently, this community has a horizontal and a vertical dimension. As members of the church, we are literally part of the family of God.[1]
The metaphor of family reveals a caring church “where people are loved, respected and recognized as somebody, a place where people acknowledge that they need each other, where talents are developed, where people grow, where everybody is fulfilled.”[2]
“It also implies accountability, a respect for spiritual parents, and a watching out for spiritual brothers and sisters. It means that each member will have other member a love engenders a deep a deep loyalty that undergirds and strengthens. Membership in a church family enables individuals who vary greatly in nature and disposition, to enjoy and support one another. Church family members learn to live in unity while not losing their individuality.”[3]
2. What concrete expressions of God’s love does John use to help us understand that salvation is “here and now”?
For John, the salvation of the believers is a present reality. He describes it in various ways:[4]
• They have come to know Him (1 John 2:2, 3).
• They are in Him (1 John 2:5, 5:20).
• Their sins have been forgiven (1 John 2:12).
• They have overcome the evil one (vs. 13).
• They have passed from death to life (1 John 3:14).
• They have eternal life (1 John 5:12, 13).
This is a wonderful portrayal of what salvation is all about.
“Nothing so touches the depths of the souls as a sense of Christ’s pardoning love. When sinners contemplate this unfathomable divine love, displayed on the cross, they receive the most powerful motivation possible to repent. This is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance (Rom. 2: 4).”[5]
3. Why should, and how does, theology inform our ethics?
Although John in his first letter deals with erroneous theology, he again and again deals with ethics. John clearly sees that theology informs ethics and that a wrong theology can lead to wrong actions. Hence, it’s important to be as correct in our theology as possible. A wrong understanding, for instance, of the law and grace has caused untold millions to trample on God’s Sabbath day. Thus, we must make sure that our theological understanding of God and Scripture is mature, growing, and correct.[6]
“As the sacrifice in our behalf was complete, so our restoration from the defilement of sin is to be complete. No acts of wickedness will the law of God excuse; no unrighteousness can escape its condemnation. The ethics of the gospel acknowledge no standard but the perfection of the divine character. The life of Christ was a perfect fulfillment of every precept of the law.”[7]
NOTE: Jesus consistently did and fulfilled what He preached, and was never lead to sin because of his understanding of God and the Scripture as He always say “It is written.” Having the wrong understanding of the gospel results to deception and counterfeit Christianity.
Feel: Surrounded by Grace
4. In what ways does experiencing God’s love and grace in our own life make it easier to create an atmosphere of love for others?
John makes it clear that to be born of God, to know God, to love God, is something that will change our lives. For John, truth isn’t just something believed; it is something lived out. Perhaps no verse says it clearer than 1 John 3:7: “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.”[8]
“Something happens to a person who accepts Jesus as Savior and Master. Simon the waverer becomes Peter the courageous. Saul the persecutor becomes Paul the proclaimer. Thomas the doubter becomes missionary to the frontier. Cowardice gives place to courage. Unbelief gives way to a torch of faith. Jealously is swallowed by love. Self interest vanishes into brotherly concern. Sin has no room in the heart. Self stands crucified.”[9]
5. How can we foster love and understanding when we and others fail to meet God’s ideal?
John makes it clear that to be born of God, to know God, to love God, is something that will change our lives.[10]
“Even the human response to God’s offer of salvation does not originate with human beings but with God. Our faith is but a gift of God (Rom.12: 3), as is our repentance (Acts 5: 31). Our love arises in response to God’s love (1 John 4: 19).”[11]
NOTE: God’s ideal is not earned it is accepted by faith. We cannot foster love and understanding unless God has a place in our lives.
Do: Present a Clear and Unambiguous Picture of What God Wants His Children to Be
6. How could we respond to people who say that the commandments and that the law are abolished and all we need to focus on is Jesus’ love?
John stresses ethical behavior with direct and indirect appeals. He calls for Christians not to lie, not to sin, not to hate brother or sister, not to love the world with its lusts and boastful pride, and not to practice lawlessness. Instead, he says that we must be obedient, do what is right, and love each other in a tangible way. John has summarized all of this when he points to keeping God’s commandments and walking as Jesus walked and lived (1 John 2:6).[12]
“Since the Ten Commandment moral law is a reflection of God’s character; its principles are not temporal or situational but absolute, unchangeable and of permanent validity for humanity. Christians through the century have firmly supported the perpetuity of God’s law, strongly affirming its validity.”[13]
“People cannot earn salvation by their good works. Obedience is the fruitage of salvation in Christ. Through His amazing grace, especially displayed at the cross, God has liberated His people from the penalty and curse of sin. Though they were sinners, Christ gave His life to provide them with the gift of eternal life. God’s abundant love awakens in the repentant sinner a response that manifest itself in loving obedience through the power of the grace so abundantly bestowed. Believers who understand that Christ values the law and who understand the blessings of obedience will be strongly motivated to live Christlike lives.”[14]
NOTE: Those who worship God will obey Him as John said: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5: 3).
7. Develop guidelines to identify areas in which cultural and personal factors must be taken into account.
John calls his audience, and us, not to believe everyone and not to accept uncritically new doctrines but to test whether or not a teaching is truly biblical. Discernment to distinguish truth from error is needed.[15]
“Christians should adopt a different lifestyle, not for the sake of being different, but because God has called to live them by principles. The lifestyle to which He has called them enables them to reach their full potential as His creation, making them efficient in His service. Being different also advances their mission: to serve the world –to be the salt in it, the light to it. Of what value would salt be without taste or light that didn’t differ from darkness?”[16]
Summary: The recurrent themes of salvation and of being a child of God give us a firm basis for our hope for the future and encouragement here and now.
The Student Will:
Know: Recognize authentic Christianity believes that Jesus is the Son of God, keeps the commandments, and loves God and others.
Feel: Experience the sufficiency of God’s grace.
Do: Present an unambiguous picture of what God wants us to be.
Lesson Outline:
Know: What It Is to Be an Authentic Christian
1. John presents two families: God’s and the church. Referring to 1 John, explain the characteristics of both. Reflect on how these families interrelate.
In 1 John it seems that the church primarily is portrayed as a family. There is the heavenly Father (12 times). In addition, John himself is a father figure of sorts, calling the church members “little children” (1 John 2:18). The church members are “children” (13 times), “fathers and young men” (each twice), and “brothers” (13 times). These terms imply a certain kind of intimacy, a close relationship and love for each other, and contain the notion of belonging together. Everyone is needed, and everyone has a place in God’s family. In addition, this family includes the Godhead. Consequently, this community has a horizontal and a vertical dimension. As members of the church, we are literally part of the family of God.[1]
The metaphor of family reveals a caring church “where people are loved, respected and recognized as somebody, a place where people acknowledge that they need each other, where talents are developed, where people grow, where everybody is fulfilled.”[2]
“It also implies accountability, a respect for spiritual parents, and a watching out for spiritual brothers and sisters. It means that each member will have other member a love engenders a deep a deep loyalty that undergirds and strengthens. Membership in a church family enables individuals who vary greatly in nature and disposition, to enjoy and support one another. Church family members learn to live in unity while not losing their individuality.”[3]
2. What concrete expressions of God’s love does John use to help us understand that salvation is “here and now”?
For John, the salvation of the believers is a present reality. He describes it in various ways:[4]
• They have come to know Him (1 John 2:2, 3).
• They are in Him (1 John 2:5, 5:20).
• Their sins have been forgiven (1 John 2:12).
• They have overcome the evil one (vs. 13).
• They have passed from death to life (1 John 3:14).
• They have eternal life (1 John 5:12, 13).
This is a wonderful portrayal of what salvation is all about.
“Nothing so touches the depths of the souls as a sense of Christ’s pardoning love. When sinners contemplate this unfathomable divine love, displayed on the cross, they receive the most powerful motivation possible to repent. This is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance (Rom. 2: 4).”[5]
3. Why should, and how does, theology inform our ethics?
Although John in his first letter deals with erroneous theology, he again and again deals with ethics. John clearly sees that theology informs ethics and that a wrong theology can lead to wrong actions. Hence, it’s important to be as correct in our theology as possible. A wrong understanding, for instance, of the law and grace has caused untold millions to trample on God’s Sabbath day. Thus, we must make sure that our theological understanding of God and Scripture is mature, growing, and correct.[6]
“As the sacrifice in our behalf was complete, so our restoration from the defilement of sin is to be complete. No acts of wickedness will the law of God excuse; no unrighteousness can escape its condemnation. The ethics of the gospel acknowledge no standard but the perfection of the divine character. The life of Christ was a perfect fulfillment of every precept of the law.”[7]
NOTE: Jesus consistently did and fulfilled what He preached, and was never lead to sin because of his understanding of God and the Scripture as He always say “It is written.” Having the wrong understanding of the gospel results to deception and counterfeit Christianity.
Feel: Surrounded by Grace
4. In what ways does experiencing God’s love and grace in our own life make it easier to create an atmosphere of love for others?
John makes it clear that to be born of God, to know God, to love God, is something that will change our lives. For John, truth isn’t just something believed; it is something lived out. Perhaps no verse says it clearer than 1 John 3:7: “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.”[8]
“Something happens to a person who accepts Jesus as Savior and Master. Simon the waverer becomes Peter the courageous. Saul the persecutor becomes Paul the proclaimer. Thomas the doubter becomes missionary to the frontier. Cowardice gives place to courage. Unbelief gives way to a torch of faith. Jealously is swallowed by love. Self interest vanishes into brotherly concern. Sin has no room in the heart. Self stands crucified.”[9]
5. How can we foster love and understanding when we and others fail to meet God’s ideal?
John makes it clear that to be born of God, to know God, to love God, is something that will change our lives.[10]
“Even the human response to God’s offer of salvation does not originate with human beings but with God. Our faith is but a gift of God (Rom.12: 3), as is our repentance (Acts 5: 31). Our love arises in response to God’s love (1 John 4: 19).”[11]
NOTE: God’s ideal is not earned it is accepted by faith. We cannot foster love and understanding unless God has a place in our lives.
Do: Present a Clear and Unambiguous Picture of What God Wants His Children to Be
6. How could we respond to people who say that the commandments and that the law are abolished and all we need to focus on is Jesus’ love?
John stresses ethical behavior with direct and indirect appeals. He calls for Christians not to lie, not to sin, not to hate brother or sister, not to love the world with its lusts and boastful pride, and not to practice lawlessness. Instead, he says that we must be obedient, do what is right, and love each other in a tangible way. John has summarized all of this when he points to keeping God’s commandments and walking as Jesus walked and lived (1 John 2:6).[12]
“Since the Ten Commandment moral law is a reflection of God’s character; its principles are not temporal or situational but absolute, unchangeable and of permanent validity for humanity. Christians through the century have firmly supported the perpetuity of God’s law, strongly affirming its validity.”[13]
“People cannot earn salvation by their good works. Obedience is the fruitage of salvation in Christ. Through His amazing grace, especially displayed at the cross, God has liberated His people from the penalty and curse of sin. Though they were sinners, Christ gave His life to provide them with the gift of eternal life. God’s abundant love awakens in the repentant sinner a response that manifest itself in loving obedience through the power of the grace so abundantly bestowed. Believers who understand that Christ values the law and who understand the blessings of obedience will be strongly motivated to live Christlike lives.”[14]
NOTE: Those who worship God will obey Him as John said: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5: 3).
7. Develop guidelines to identify areas in which cultural and personal factors must be taken into account.
John calls his audience, and us, not to believe everyone and not to accept uncritically new doctrines but to test whether or not a teaching is truly biblical. Discernment to distinguish truth from error is needed.[15]
“Christians should adopt a different lifestyle, not for the sake of being different, but because God has called to live them by principles. The lifestyle to which He has called them enables them to reach their full potential as His creation, making them efficient in His service. Being different also advances their mission: to serve the world –to be the salt in it, the light to it. Of what value would salt be without taste or light that didn’t differ from darkness?”[16]
Summary: The recurrent themes of salvation and of being a child of God give us a firm basis for our hope for the future and encouragement here and now.
_____________________________________
[1] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 128
[2] Charles Bradford, “What the Church Means to Me” Adventist Review, Nov. 20, 1986, p.15
[3] Seventh - day Adventist Believe –A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, (PPPA: Idaho, 2005), p. 169
[4] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 130
[5] Seventh-Day Adventist Believe –A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, (PPPA: Idaho, 2005), p. 169
[6] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 132
[7] Ellen G. White, www.whiteestate.org/books/mh/mh38.html
[8] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 132
[9] Seventh - day Adventist Believe –A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, (PPPA: Idaho, 2005), p. 155
[10] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 132
[11] Seventh - day Adventist Believe –A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, (PPPA: Idaho, 2005), p. 124
[12] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 132
[13] Seventh - day Adventist Believe –A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, (PPPA: Idaho, 2005), p. 270
[14] Ibid., p. 276
[15] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 136
[16] Seventh - day Adventist Believe –A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, (PPPA: Idaho, 2005), p. 312
[1] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 128
[2] Charles Bradford, “What the Church Means to Me” Adventist Review, Nov. 20, 1986, p.15
[3] Seventh - day Adventist Believe –A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, (PPPA: Idaho, 2005), p. 169
[4] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 130
[5] Seventh-Day Adventist Believe –A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, (PPPA: Idaho, 2005), p. 169
[6] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 132
[7] Ellen G. White, www.whiteestate.org/books/mh/mh38.html
[8] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 132
[9] Seventh - day Adventist Believe –A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, (PPPA: Idaho, 2005), p. 155
[10] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 132
[11] Seventh - day Adventist Believe –A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, (PPPA: Idaho, 2005), p. 124
[12] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 132
[13] Seventh - day Adventist Believe –A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, (PPPA: Idaho, 2005), p. 270
[14] Ibid., p. 276
[15] Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. p. 136
[16] Seventh - day Adventist Believe –A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, (PPPA: Idaho, 2005), p. 312
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