SURREY CHAPEL – Fellowship Group Notes for the 8th/9th May 2013
1 John – Jesus our life
Chapter 1 to 2v2 Walking in fellowship

We remember more of what is written than what is spoken. Hence you find John saying many times ‘I write’, particularly in Chapter 2. In our passage he uses it twice and gives the reasons. 1) That we may be happy –v 4 –‘joy complete’. 2) That we might not sin – 2v1. The way for us to accomplish that is for us to be ‘walking in fellowship’ (v3) ‘with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ’. That is our aim in this study.

WORD OF LIFE    v 1 – 4
Many people in John’s day said that Jesus was not really God and Man –and many still say that today. How does John respond to that? (v1 –God  v2 Man)
Who is being described and what does it mean - ‘Word of life’?  (see also John 1v1-2 & 14)
Jesus , the Eternal God and life giver, the second person of the Trinity actually became flesh. This is what the incarnation is all about. Galatians 4v4 see also Philippians 2v6-8
v1	How had the disciples got to know Jesus?
v2	What is this saying to us –‘seen’ and ‘testify’ (if we know Jesus)?
v3	What is the purpose of our witnessing about Jesus?
	What relationships does Jesus restore?
v4	John’s joy here is seeing others come into that fellowship with Jesus, is that ours?

WALKING IN THE LIGHT   v 5  to 2 v 2
v5	Light and darkness does not mix. God is Light – what does that tells us about God? How then may we have ‘fellowship with Him?
Notice – 6 ‘if’s’ ( three pairs)
A) v6-7   I can know God –yet still walk in darkness. We must not think we can know God
and continue to live in ‘our own sweet way’. See also 3 John v 11
v 6 - ‘If we claim’ what?    v7 What must we do?
B) v8-9	Some have said ‘I can know God because I don’t sin’. There are some Christians who believe we may achieve ‘sinless perfection’. 
 	Who is deceived? (v8)
v9	The true way. What things do we learn about God in this verse? He is . . . .
C) v10 to 2v2
v10 ‘If’ - -  Who is telling the truth? 
2v1-2	What assurance may we have from these verses? Why? 
John is aware that we often fall short. Even with our hearts set on walking in the light we still sin. This naturally troubles us. So here he reminds us of two wonderful truths about Jesus.
1) -Jesus ‘our Advocate’ ‘speaks to the Father on our behalf’
2) -Jesus ‘our Sacrifice’ not just His words in our defence –but those ‘nail pierced hands’.
‘atoning sacrifice’ or ‘propitiation’ – means appeasement or satisfaction. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross satisfied the demands of God’s holiness for the punishment of sin.  
See -    Romans 3v23-26 and 2 Corinthians 5v21. Then read Hebrews 4v14-16
v2	How should this verse affect our vision for mission?	
												D.J.
PRAYER POINTS:-
Maybe a time of confession is needed – as we have all failed but ‘He is faithful to forgive’
Pray for those still outside that saving relationship with Jesus –especially those in our regular congregation.
Members Annual General Meeting – Thursday, 23rd May
Elders, Deacons, CMT, Admin Group.