Bible Discussion Thread

SECTION OUTLINE ONE ( 1 JOHN 1)

John opens his first letter with a presentation of Christ as both the life and light of believers.

I. JESUS CHRIST, THE LIFE OF BELIEVERS (1:1-4)

A. John's proclamation (1:1-2): The apostle offers a twofold description of this divine giver of life.

1. The eternal Christ (1:1a): He existed before the world began.

2. The earthly Christ (1:1b-2): John saw, heard, and touched the physical body of the Savior.

B. John's purpose (1:3-4): He writes this that we might know the two reasons for Jesus'

incarnation.

1. The vertical reason (1:3): That we might experience fellowship with both the Father and Son.

2. The horizontal reason (1:4): That we might share our joy with one another.

II. JESUS CHRIST, THE LIGHT OF BELIEVERS (1:5-10)

A. The fact (1:5): "God is light and there is no darkness in him at all."

B. The fruits (1:6-10)

1. Negative (1:6, 8, 10): If we walk in darkness with unconfessed sin, we will remain barren.

2. Positive (1:7-9): If we walk in the light and confess our sin, we will be cleansed and fruitful.

--Harold Wilmington