1 John 1:5-2:2 Discussion Guide
Read: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1:9
Explain: One author described this verse as “spiritual breathing.” Not as in some weird spiritual practice but rather as thinking about this as something that should become automatic and instant. We “exhale” confession, and we “inhale” forgiveness.
Q1: What are the barriers in your mind and heart to actually believing this is possible? In other words, what makes this promise seem unbelievable or unrealistic to you?
Q2: If this principle has been an important and regular part of your life, talk about what it has meant for your relationship with Christ.
Read: This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 1:5-2:2
Q3: The message that he proclaims is that “God is light.” He is using light as a metaphor for God’s nature. What are some aspects of God’s character that light signifies?
Explain: John addresses three errors of the false teachers in this passage. They are:
- A denial that sin impacts our relationship with God (6,7)
- A denial that we have a sin nature (8,9)
- A denial that we actually sin. (1:10-2:2)
Q4: What is John’s response to error #1? (Both the rebuttal and the gospel truth)
-Discuss his response
Q5: What is John’s response to error #2? (Both the rebuttal and the gospel truth)
-Discuss his response
Q6: What is John’s response to error #3? (Both the rebuttal and the gospel truth)
-Discuss his response
Q7: How does the fact that God removes both the “sin debt” and the “sin stain” speak to your heart? Be personal about this. John is not just speaking to heads; he is aiming for hearts.
Explain: John writes so that we would not sin, but if we do, we have an advocate and a propitiation.
Q7: Why is it hard for us to balance taking sin seriously and believing that our sin can be instantly and completely forgiven? How do you personally struggle with this tension? Which side of the struggle do you tend to fall on?
Q8: Propitiation means: “The appeasement of the wrath of God by the love of God through the gift of God.” What do you think about this? What do you feel about this?
(Feelers…put on your thinking caps, Thinkers. Dig down and contact your hearts.)
Conclusion: Spend time thanking God for the truth of 1 John 1:9. Ask him to help you believe and live this truth in your daily life.