Test the Spirits - 1 John 4:1-6
Understand It
- What did John instruct his readers to do? (4:1)
- Who did John say had gone into the world? (4:1)
- How is the Spirit of God recognized? (4:2)
- How can we distinguish truth from error in spiritual matters? (4:2-3)
- What spirit does not acknowledge that Jesus is from God? (4:3)
- Why did the writer say that believers had overcome the spirit of the antichrist? (4:4)
- Where is the spirit of the antichrist from? (4:5)
- From what viewpoint does the spirit of the antichrist speak? (4:5)
- Who does and does not listen to those who are from God? (4:6)
- How are the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood recognized? (4:6)
Apply It
- What influences in your life (for example, books, movies, music, ideas, etc.) will you "put to the test" this week to see whether they are from God?
- What false prophets do you need to guard yourself against this week?
God's Love and Ours - 1 John 4:7-21
Understand It
- What were the readers of 1 John encouraged to do? (4:7)
- What is the relationship between loving and knowing God? (4:7-8)
- How did God show His love? (4:9)
- Why did God send His Son? (4:9)
- What is love? (4:10)
- Why should Christians love one another? (4:11)
- What is the result of loving one another? (4:12)
- How can believers know that they live in God and God lives in them? (4:13)
- What did John testify concerning? (4:14)
- What happens when we acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God? (4:15)
- Why is love important? (4:16-17)
- How is love made complete? (4:17)
- What does perfect love do? Why? (4:18)
- Why should we love? (4:19)
- What is the relationship between loving God and loving one’s brother? (4:20-21)
Apply It
- Who is someone that you have a difficult time getting along with that you need to ask God to help you love this week?
- What fear will you ask God to help you overcome?
- What specific steps will you take this week to demonstrate your love for another believer?
