1 John 1:1-4

Read 1 John 1:1-4

Helpful Background Information: 

• First John was written by the apostle John, one of Jesus’s closest disciples and an eyewitness to His life, death, and resurrection. John begins the letter by emphasizing what he and the other apostles had personally “heard,” “seen,” “observed,” and “touched” concerning Jesus. John is announcing what he personally witnessed: the eternal “Word of life” truly entered human history in the person of Jesus Christ. The One who had eternally existed with the Father became a real human being whom the apostles could see, hear, and touch.

• John also explains why he is passing this letter on. He wants his readers to have fellowship with the apostles, whose fellowship is ultimately “with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” As we begin studying 1 John, this becomes an important theme to watch: what we believe about Jesus cannot be separated from what we do, and the clearest “thing” John often points to as being changed by our relationship with Christ is our relationship with other believers. The result of this relationship with God and His people is “joy” (v. 4). 

Reflection Questions: 

• What does John’s eyewitness testimony tell us about the historical reality of Jesus and the Christian faith?

• Why is it important that John describes Jesus as both eternally with the Father and physically present with the apostles?

• How should a shared relationship with God shape our relationships with other Christians?

• John connects proclaiming Christ with experiencing joy in verse 4. Why do you think knowing and sharing the truth about Jesus produces joy?