Joyful Moments in Christ

Read the New Testament in a Year: Week 47 – 1 John 1-5

Read the New Testament in a Year: Week 47 - 1 John 1-5

In week 47 of our 1-year New Testament reading adventure, we will explore the book of 1 John. This powerful letter centers on the themes of love, truth, and the assurance that comes through faith in Jesus. Throughout these chapters, we’ll be encouraged to walk in the light, love one another, and remain steadfast in God’s truth. John calls us to reflect on what it means to live as God’s children, embracing a life of purity, love, and obedience. We’ll also explore the significance of Jesus’ role as the Son of God and the confidence it brings us, both in prayer and in our daily struggles. This week, let’s reflect on how God’s love strengthens us, guides our actions, and empowers us to live out our faith with courage and compassion.

Week 47: Exploring 1 John

1 John 1

1 John 1:7 (ESV): 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.

1 John 1 emphasizes the message that God is light, with no darkness at all, urging believers to walk in the light and have fellowship with Him and one another. The chapter highlights the importance of confessing sins, promising that God is faithful to forgive and cleanse believers from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2

1 John 2:17 (ESV): And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

In 1 John 2, believers are called to avoid sin, walk in obedience, and love one another. John warns against loving the world or anything in it, as worldly desires are fleeting. He also speaks of the “antichrist,” warning believers to remain in the truth and continue in God’s light.

1 John 3

1 John 3:18 (ESV): Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

1 John 3 explores the incredible love God has for His children and encourages believers to live righteously. John emphasizes that those who truly belong to God will demonstrate love and purity, avoiding sin and practicing active love. He contrasts hatred with love, calling believers to love one another in deed and truth.

1 John 4

1 John 4:18 (ESV): There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

1 John 4 centers on God’s love and the call for believers to love one another. The chapter explains that love comes from God, and anyone who loves is born of God. John urges believers to test spirits to discern truth, emphasizing that perfect love casts out fear and that God’s love empowers us to love others selflessly.

1 John 5

1 John 5:18 (ESV): We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.

In 1 John 5, John underscores the power of faith in overcoming the world, emphasizing that those who believe in Jesus are born of God. The chapter explores the testimony of eternal life through Jesus and reassures believers of their standing with God. John also discusses confidence in prayer and the importance of rejecting sin.

Week 47: New Testament Reading Assignment

Each week, we will read 5 chapters of the New Testament. Some people may prefer to read during the weekdays, while others might enjoy doing most of their reading on the weekends. Choose the method that works best for you!

Printable Resource:

Reading Plan: New Testament in 1 Year

Week 47: Reflection Questions for 1 John

Consider the following reflection questions:

1 John 1: Walking in the Light of Truth

  1. What does it mean to walk in the light, and how can we pursue a life free from spiritual darkness?
  2. How does confessing our sins lead to deeper fellowship with God and others?
  3. What assurance does 1 John 1 give about forgiveness, and how can we find peace in God’s promise to cleanse us?
  4. How does acknowledging our sin impact our relationship with God, and how can this lead to growth in our faith?
  5. How can we maintain a lifestyle that reflects the purity and love of God?

1 John 2: Living in God’s Love and Truth

  1. How does obedience demonstrate our love for God, and what actions show our commitment to Him?
  2. Why is it important to avoid attachment to worldly desires, and how can we focus on eternal values?
  3. What does 1 John 2 teach us about loving others, and how can we show this love in challenging situations?
  4. How does remaining in God’s truth protect us from deception, and in what ways can we deepen our understanding of truth?
  5. How does John’s warning about the “antichrist” motivate us to remain faithful, and what practices help us stay grounded in our faith?

1 John 3: Children of God and Active Love

  1. How does knowing we are God’s children shape our self-image, and how can we live with that identity in mind?
  2. What does it mean to live a life of purity, and how can we resist temptations that lead to sin?
  3. How does 1 John 3 challenge us to love in practical ways, and how can we serve others genuinely?
  4. How does this chapter contrast love and hatred, and how can we ensure our actions align with love?
  5. In what ways can we pursue righteousness and reflect God’s love to those around us?

1 John 4: God’s Perfect Love and Our Response

  1. How does God’s love give us confidence, and how can we live without fear because of this love?
  2. What does it mean to “test the spirits,” and how can we discern truth in our faith journey?
  3. How does understanding God’s love help us love others, even when it is difficult?
  4. What impact does perfect love have on our relationships, and how can we practice this love daily?
  5. How does the assurance of God’s love affect our perception of challenges, and in what ways can we let go of fear?

1 John 5: Faith, Victory, and Assurance

  1. How does faith empower us to overcome worldly challenges, and what actions reflect this victory?
  2. What assurance do we have in God’s promise of eternal life, and how can this shape our daily perspective?
  3. How does 1 John 5 encourage us to approach God in prayer, and what gives us confidence in our requests?
  4. Why is rejecting sin crucial to our faith journey, and how can we avoid influences that lead us astray?
  5. How does the testimony of Jesus as the Son of God strengthen our trust, and what impact does this have on our commitment to Him?
Reflection Questions 1 John 1 What does it mean to walk in the light, and how can we pursue a life free from spiritual darkness? How does confessing our sins lead to deeper fellowship with God and others? What assurance does 1 John 1 give about forgiveness, and how can we find peace in God's promise to cleanse us? How does acknowledging our sin impact our relationship with God, and how can this lead to growth in our faith? How can we maintain a lifestyle that reflects the purity and love of God?
Reflection Questions 1 John 2 How does obedience demonstrate our love for God, and what actions show our commitment to Him? Why is it important to avoid attachment to worldly desires, and how can we focus on eternal values? What does 1 John 2 teach us about loving others, and how can we show this love in challenging situations? How does remaining in God's truth protect us from deception, and in what ways can we deepen our understanding of truth? How does John's warning about the “antichrist” motivate us to remain faithful, and what practices help us stay grounded in our faith?
Reflection Questions 1 John 3 How does knowing we are God’s children shape our self-image, and how can we live with that identity in mind? What does it mean to live a life of purity, and how can we resist temptations that lead to sin? How does 1 John 3 challenge us to love in practical ways, and how can we serve others genuinely? How does this chapter contrast love and hatred, and how can we ensure our actions align with love? In what ways can we pursue righteousness and reflect God’s love to those around us?
Reflection Questions 1 John 4 How does God’s love give us confidence, and how can we live without fear because of this love? What does it mean to “test the spirits,” and how can we discern truth in our faith journey? How does understanding God’s love help us love others, even when it is difficult? What impact does perfect love have on our relationships, and how can we practice this love daily? How does the assurance of God’s love affect our perception of challenges, and in what ways can we let go of fear?
Reflection Questions 1 John 5 How does faith empower us to overcome worldly challenges, and what actions reflect this victory? What assurance do we have in God’s promise of eternal life, and how can this shape our daily perspective? How does 1 John 5 encourage us to approach God in prayer, and what gives us confidence in our requests? Why is rejecting sin crucial to our faith journey, and how can we avoid influences that lead us astray? How does the testimony of Jesus as the Son of God strengthen our trust, and what impact does this have on our commitment to Him?

Reflective Prayer

Choose a few verses or topics from these chapters and pray over them. Consider using the ACTS method — Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, Supplication:

  • Adoration: Praise God. What specific characteristics of God do these readings bring to mind?
  • Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. What specific sins do these readings bring to mind?
  • Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. What in these readings inspires gratitude?
  • Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. What in these readings inspires a prayer?

If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.

Read the New Testament in a Year: Week 47 - 1 John 1-5
1 John 2:17 (ESV): And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
1 John 3:18 (ESV): Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
1 John 4:18 (ESV): There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 5:18 (ESV): We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
1 John 1:7 (ESV): 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.

Other Reading Plans

Old Testament in 3 Years
Whole Bible: Daily
Whole Bible: 5 Day/Week
Whole Bible: Weekly

Online Resources

Read the Bible in a Year: Blog Series

Subscribe

If you enjoyed this post and wish to receive more Christian content, feel free to subscribe to my newsletters!

Related Resources

Visit the Joyful Moments in Christ homepage for all posts, or scroll through other blog posts related to reading the New Testament in a year:

English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Recent

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,