Study Guide for 1 John Chapter 4

1 John 4
[1] What are these spirits?
How do we “test the spirits”?
See: Dt 13:1-5; Acts 17:11; 2 Cor 13:1-10; 1 Thess 5:21
[2] What does it mean to confess or acknowledge?
“Not everyone who says…” Mt 7:21-23
“Even the demons believe…” Jms 2:19
RE: False prophets: Mt 7:15-16; Mk 13:22-23

• KNOW = RECOGNIZE

• Find the different attributions for “S/spirit of…”

1. Spirit of [2] _____________
2. spirit of [3] _____________
3. Spirit of [6] _____________
4. spirit of [6] _____________

• “By this…” or “This is how…”
• Find this pattern in chapter four (compare 3:16, 19)
• What value is introduced by each of these phrases?

Identify the five (or six) verses where this phrase occurs:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
[4] Do not be afraid (Mt 14:27). See verse 18. Also Jn 16:33
[6] How do we recognize truth or error?
[7] How do we learn to love?
[9] How do we “manifest” love?
“As He Is, so are we to be in this world.” (W.E. Vine)
[10] What is the basis for love?
Propitiation/expiation relates to the atoning sacrifice of Lev 17:11
Sin = to miss the mark
What is the difference between sin and sins? See BCP 360, 362
[11] What is our motivation to love?
[12] How is God to be seen (manifest)?

• Note the number of times perfect/ed occurs [12,17,18]
• How is love perfected?

[18] See notes at verse 4
[19] From where does love originate? See verse 11
[21] Compare with the Greatest Commandment, (the Summary of the Law).
See Mk 12:29-31