The apostle John came from apparently comfortable circumstances in Galilee, where he and his brother James left their home and fishing trade to follow a man named Jesus. More than sixty years later John, the Beloved of the Lord, recorded his testimony of the divinity of the Savior. His gospel stands apart in literature as a careful and passionate witness of the Son of God. In stating his reasons for writing, John explained, "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:30-31).
John's Gospel carries a unique focus on the words "believe," and "life." It was written for Church members, those who already believe. John bears a tender and intimate witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we might know Him and gain Eternal life through faith in His sacrifice; that "when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2). John invites us to leave behind the things that bind us to this world, as he once left his fishing nets on the shore of Galilee, and to follow the Son of God as sheep follow their shepherd.

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Friday, January 21, 2011

1 John 4-5




1 John 4-5 Study Guide – to be discussed January 27
Day 1: Read 1 John 4:1-6 (with footnote 1b), Moroni 7:16-17, Isaiah 54:17
1. Read Moroni 7:16-17 with 1 John 4:1-3. How can we “try the spirits” of those with whom we associate?



2. Read 1 John 4:4 with Isaiah 54:17. According to Isaiah, what is the heritage of the servants of the Lord? How can this heritage help us overcome the world?



3. How can we discern between truth and error?



Day 2: Read 1 John 4:7-11, 1 Nephi 11:20-23
4. What are the promises to those who love one another? What kind of love might be indicated?



5. What is the ultimate manifestation of God’s love for his children? (See also 1 Nephi 11:20-23.)



6. Why should we exercise unconditional love?



Day 3: Read 1 John 4:12-16 (with footnote 12a), D&C 124:18
7. What phrase in the JST footnote clarifies 1 John 4:12?



8. List more promises to those who love one another.



9. How does the bearing of testimony bring us closer to God? (See also D&C 124:18.)



Day 4: Read 1 John 4:17-21, 2 Timothy 1:7
10. How can we have confidence in the Day of Judgment?



11. How does perfect love cast out fear? (See also 2 Timothy 1:7.)



12. Why is it impossible to love God and hate our brothers and sisters?

Day 5: Read 1 John 5:1-5
13. What further reason does John give in 1 John 5:1 for us to love one another?



14. How is obedience related to love?



15. How can we overcome the world?



BONUS: List characteristics of love from 1 John 4:7 - 5:5.




Day 6: Read 1 John 5:6-12, Moses 6:58-60, D&C 6:23-24, Ether 5:4
16. How do the Spirit and the water and the blood bear witness of the Savior?* (See also Moses 6:58-60.)



17. What is “the witness of men”? What is “the witness of God”? (See also D&C 6:23-24.)



18. How can we use John’s record to establish the witness of Christ within ourselves? (See also Ether 5:4.)



Day 7: Read 1 John 5:13-21 (with footnotes 18b,c)
19. To whom did John write this letter? For what purpose(s) did he write?



20. List what we can have confidence in if we have a testimony of Christ’s divinity.



21. Using the JST footnotes to 1 John 5:18, how can we shield ourselves from evil and sin?

From the Institute Manual: (52-13) 1 John 4:8 . What Does John Mean by “God Is Love”?
“‘Our God is a consuming fire.’ ( Heb. 12:29 .) ‘God is light.’ ( 1 John 1:5 .) Similarly, God is also faith, hope, charity, righteousness, truth, virtue, temperance, patience, humility, and so forth. That is, God is the embodiment and personification of every good grace and godly attribute—all of which dwell in his person in perfection and in fulness.” (McConkie, DNTC, 3:398.)

*See also (52-15) at http://institute.lds.org/manuals/new-testament-institute-student-manual/nt-in-11-11-52.asp
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