Experiencing the Word of Life

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope

July 11, 2009

Larry R Evans

Introductory Reflections

It seems that two of the toughest things to get straight in life are a true understanding of the character of God and the nature of true love—whether it be for God or for one another. “My God!” has become a slang term of exclamation and has very little to do with one’s appeal to divine insight or a plea for help. Often the exclamation is used with very little respect or recognition of God. “Love”, on the other hand, is often used just as loosely and can cover all sorts of selfish acts of self-gratification. When God and love are separated confusion about both result. This has been the case in John’s day and so it is in ours. John will be addressing this dilemma in his letter but to lay the proper foundation he introduces Jesus as the “Word of life” at the very beginning. With this established the other pieces will come together. God’s character becomes the foundation for a unique fellowship built on a new order of love. While reading John, note how Jesus becomes the bridge to both. As the “Word of life” He becomes the essential link bringing meaning to a very confused world.

Reflective Quiz

1. Fellowship with others is fellowship with Christ. [1 Jn.1:3] True or False?

2. It is possible to have joy in the midst of pain and suffering. [1 Jn.3,4] True or False?

3. From a biblical perspective, the creation of man and his redemption must be linked. [ Jn.1-3; 1 Jn.1:1-4; Col.1:15,16] True or False?

4. When 1 Jn.1:1 refers to “beginning” in reference to Jesus John is implying that He was created for a special mission, i.e. our redemption. [Jn.1:1-3, 14; 1 Jn.1:1-3] True or False?

5. Jesus as the “Word of life” determines how our lives will be lived and how history will be written. [Dan.5:23; Acts 17:24-28; 1 Jn.1:5,7] True or False?

6. Eyewitnesses see the same truth differently. [1 Jn.1:1-3; 2 Pet.3:14-16] True or False?

7. Seeing is believing. [Deut.4:1-9; ;Matt.9:1-8; Acts 4:20] True or False?

8. We are the eyewitnesses of this generation. [1 Jn.2:9; Rev.12:11; 2 Cor.8:23-24; Col.1:3-8] True or False?

9. A true witness builds community. [1 Jn.1:3; 2 Sam.15:1-13] True or False?

10. Christ has no grandchildren nor does He have any orphans. [Matt.16:24,25; Jn.10:14-16; Acts 2:42-47; Rom.12:4,5] True or False?

[Due to other responsibilities there will be no additional notes this week.]

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Preparing a People

[ There will be no additional study notes this week.] October 10, 2009 Larry R Evans Reflective Introduction It has been said that “A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves.” (Marcus Aurelius Antonius). Think about that a moment in the context of our lesson for this week. God in His infinite wisdom knew precisely what unbridled human nature is capable of doing. With this large desert-wandering congregation now freed from slavery, He sought to establish a sense of community among His people—a kind of community that would stick together in the coming promised land. Wolves would arise among the sheep. He knew that. He anticipated this happening so rules were created to protect the sheep though even then His rules were open to abuse. The family unit was the foundation for this new community yet it was the very object of attack. Infidelity and distrust within the family happened and still happens today. Is there any hope? The lesson today is f...
Read more

Who Was Jesus?

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope April 5, 2008 Larry R Evans Due to travel and various appointments there will be no additional class notes this week. See Reflective Review below. Quiz for Reflection 1. The disciples, as students of Scripture, recognized that Elijah was to return. [Mt 16:13-15; 1 Ki 18:16-46; Mal 4:5,6] True or False? 2. Prophetically speaking, Christ was Elijah. [Mal 4:5,6; Jn 1:19-23; Mk 1:2-8] True or False? 3. The Bible teaches supernaturalism—a foundational presupposition of biblical faith. [Mt 1:20,21; 1 Cor 15:13; 1 Thess 4:13-18] True or False? 4. Emphasizing the historical aspects of one’s faith is a 20 th century phenomena. [Deut 6:4-12; 1 Cor 11:23-26] True or False? 5. Coming to Jesus is a personal decision and not a theological one. [Mt 11:28; 16:13-20] True or False? 6. It is more difficult to accept Jesus today as the Messiah than it was in His own day? True or...
Read more

“Jesus and the Johannine Letters” OR How to Respond in Times of a Church Crisis

[Due to other responsibilities there will no additional study notes this week] July 4, 2009 Larry R Evans Introductory Reflections We now begin a series of studies of 1,2 and 3John. We will discover how the Apostle’s close relationship with Jesus for 3 ½ years gave him the necessary footing to withstand Satan’s onslaught of the truth that Jesus came to establish. Later on the Apostle Paul would say of his time “the secret power of lawlessness” (NIV) or “the mystery of iniquity” (KJV) was already at work! (2 Thess. 2: 7. We will gain valuable insights into what our response should be today in light of Satan’s persistent effort to dilute and confuse the truth even by those who profess to believe. (1 Jn. 1:6,8,10). The circumstances or heresy may be different but the principles for us to follow remain. Three vital responses need to be considered: How will we personally respond to the sacrifice of Christ for us?; When facing a church crisis what attitude and what ki...
Read more