June 29 2025, Sunday School Lesson

Affection for Those in Christ

Lesson Text: 1 John 4:7-21

Related Scriptures: John 13:31-35; 17:20-23; Romans 5:1-8; 1 John 3:11-24

TIME: A.D. 90-95

PLACE: probably from Ephesus

GOLDEN TEXT: “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19)

Introduction

John reminded his readers that “Many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Because of this the spirits that were inspiring these teachers needed to be tested. To a young congregation, Paul wrote, “Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:19-21).

All religious teachers, both those claiming to be Christians and those of other faith, claim to be presenting the truth. It is therefore necessary to scrutinize religious teachings.

We must begin by determining whether what is being taught is in harmony with the holy Scriptures. On the surface, this may seem a simple task. For example, if teachers are denying the virgin birth or resurrection of Christ, we can be certain that they are not of God. However, difficulties arise because many false teachers use biblical terms in ways that make them mean something completely different from what the original writers intended.

LESSON OUTLINE

I. COMPASSIONATE LOVE - 1 John 4:7- 12

II. CONFESSING LOVE - 1 John 4:13-16

III. CONFIDENT LOVE – 1 John4:17-21

QUESTIONS

1. How does love give evidence of the new birth?

2. What is meant by the phrase “God is love” (1 John 4:8)

3. What does it mean that Christ is the “propitiation for our sins” (vs. 10)

4. How might it be said that God has been seen and yet never seen?

5. What are some evidence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life?

6. Who receives the Holy Spirit?

7. Why is confessing Christ important? When is that done?

8. Why should Christians have no fear of judgment?

9. How has God “first loved us” (vs. 19)?

10. How did John view a person who claimed to love God but did not love his brother?

ANSWERS

1. An important reason to do so is that love is from God. True love originates with our Heavenly Father and enables us to love one another. As God’s children, we should show love, for He is love. If we do not love others, it may be a sign we are not His children.

2. God is not merely loving, He is love. We sometimes love others, but unfortunately, sometimes we do not. In contrast, God is love and never does anything that does not flow from love.

3. Once again, the apostle John reminded his readers that Christ is the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10; cf 2:2). Christ’s death was the means of averting God’s wrath towards our sins. Christ alone is the atoning sacrifice for lost people.

4. No human being has ever seen the full glory of God, although Moses got a glimpse (Ex. 33:18-23). When Isaiah the prophet saw a vision of God, he felt as though he would not survive the experience (Isa. 6:1-5). Christ has revealed the Father to us in a way that we can understand (John 14:7-11). Paul declared that” in (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9).

5. There were several ways John identified whether a person knew God. Among them were obedience to God (2:3), righteous living (3:9-10), and Christian love (vs. 14). To this list John now added the presence of the Spirit (4:13). The Holy Spirit within us encourages behavior that reflects Christian character (Gal. 5:22-25). John will later add belief in Christ (I John 5:1)

6. Many important tasks were accomplished under the old covenant through select individuals who were filled with the Holy Spirit. The prophet Joel, however, envisioned a day when God would pour out His Spirit upon all of His people (Joel 2:28-29). That prophecy was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost and continues to this day (Acts 2:14-18; Rom. 8:9-11).

7. Professing faith in Christ is how we receive the Lord (Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:9-10). As discussed last week, we are saved by faith alone, not faith plus works. Nevertheless, we must continue to acknowledge Him throughout our Christian lives. (Matt. 10:32-33).

8. For the Christian, the judgment is not about whether he is going to heaven or hell. That issue was settled when he came to know Christ as Savior and was affirmed by his perseverance in the faith (II Pet. 1:4-11). While the believer’s works will be judged by the Almighty (1 Cor. 3:9-15), he can approach death and judgment with confidence because his sins have been covered by Christ’s blood (I John 2:1-2). “For a Christian, judgment is not future; it is past. His sins have been judged already at the cross, and they will never be brought against him again.

9. Love cannot be comprehended – especially God’s love – until we realize “he first loved us.” Long before we ever thought of loving God, He loved us. He sent His Son to save us.

10. This is why John found it incomprehensible for a person to say “I love God” (I John 4:20) while hating his brother. It is hypocritical to claim to love the unseen God while not loving a brother we can see and help (cf. 3:17).