Bethany Bible Study

Third Epistle of John is a short letter that highlights the importance of living in truth, showing hospitality, and supporting those who faithfully serve God. It commends Gaius for his generosity and faithfulness, while warning against the prideful and divisive behavior of Diotrephes. The letter encourages believers to imitate what is good, uphold truth, and walk in a way that reflects godly character.

John encourages believers to obey God’s commands and love one another, while also warning them to stay alert against false teachers who distort the truth about Jesus. He stresses that true love does not ignore truth, and believers should not support teachings that go against Christ.

First Epistle of John Chapter 5 emphasizes that those who believe Jesus is the Christ are born of God, and this faith naturally produces love and obedience, which are not burdensome but empowering. Through faith, believers overcome the world, trusting in the testimony of the Spirit, the water, and the blood that affirm Jesus as the source of eternal life. The chapter assures believers that they can confidently know they have eternal life and that God hears their prayers when aligned with His will, while also encouraging prayer for others who struggle with sin. It concludes by affirming the believer’s identity as protected from evil, grounded in the true God through Jesus Christ, and ends with a warning to stay away from idols that could take God’s place in their lives.

First Epistle of John Chapter 5 emphasizes that those who believe Jesus is the Christ are born of God, and this faith naturally produces love and obedience, which are not burdensome but empowering. Through faith, believers overcome the world, trusting in the testimony of the Spirit, the water, and the blood that affirm Jesus as the source of eternal life. The chapter assures believers that they can confidently know they have eternal life and that God hears their prayers when aligned with His will, while also encouraging prayer for others who struggle with sin. It concludes by affirming the believer’s identity as protected from evil, grounded in the true God through Jesus Christ, and ends with a warning to stay away from idols that could take God’s place in their lives.

In 1 John 4, John teaches believers to test spiritual teachings to see whether they come from God. True teaching will always acknowledge that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. False teachings come from the “spirit of the antichrist.”John then emphasizes the central theme: God is love. Because God loved us first and sent His Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for our sins, believers are called to love one another.Perfect love drives out fear, especially the fear of judgment. A person cannot claim to love God while hating others; loving fellow believers is proof that we truly love God.Core message: True believers recognize the truth about Jesus and reflect God’s nature by loving others.

In 1 John 3, the apostle John reminds believers that they are children of God, deeply loved by the Father. This identity should transform how they live. True followers of Christ do not continue in a lifestyle of sin but pursue righteousness because Jesus came to take away sin.John emphasizes that real faith is demonstrated through love in action, not just words. He contrasts hatred (like Cain’s) with Christ’s sacrificial love. Loving others is evidence that we belong to God.The chapter closes by offering assurance: when we believe in Jesus and love one another, we can have confidence before God, knowing His Spirit lives in us.Core message: If we are truly God’s children, our lives will reflect it through righteousness and genuine love.

Theme: The clear contrast between children of God and children of the devil — shown through righteousness and love.John presents a sharp spiritual dividing line:Sin vs. righteousnessHatred vs. loveDeath vs. life

I JOHN 2:1-11 - Love others, Believe in Jesus, Living in light, Test of knowing god, advocate & propitiation.

Solutions for SinHebrews 12:2looking unto Jesus, theauthor andfinisher ofourfaith,who for the joy that was set before Himendured the cross, despising the shame, andhas sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Mathew 5:10-12 Blessedarethose who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds ofevil against you falsely for My sake.12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for greatisyour reward in heaven, forso they persecuted the prophets who were before you.WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM 2BELOVED, NOW ARE WE THE SONS OF GOD, AND IT DOTH NOT YET APPEAR WHAT WE SHALL BE: BUT WE KNOW THAT, WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; FOR WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS.

Repentance is more than being “Sorry” and “Regretting” for mistakes made. Repentance requires turning away from sin and turning to God. Repentance is not the work of man but work of God (John 6:44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him). How does God draw us to Him? Repentance is followed by change (Mathew 3:8, fruits meet for repentance, II Corinthians 5:17, old things are passed away)What is the Basis for our witness? What is the Content of our witness? What is the Desired outcome of our witness?

Episode Notes: Four Stated Objectives of 1 JohnIn this episode, we explore the four clear purposes for which the Apostle John says he wrote this letter. These objectives shape the entire message of 1 John and give believers clarity, assurance, and direction in their walk with Christ.1️⃣ Joy Made Full (1 John 1:4)“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”John’s first objective is joy—not temporary happiness, but deep, abiding joy rooted in fellowship with God. This joy flows from walking in the light, having communion with God, and living in truth.Key takeaway: True Christian joy comes from restored fellowship with God, not from circumstances.2️⃣ That You May Not Sin (1 John 2:1)“These things write I unto you, that ye sin not.”John writes to encourage believers toward holy living. While he acknowledges human weakness, his goal is not to excuse sin but to discourage it. Christ is presented as our Advocate, not a license to sin.Key takeaway: Grace is not permission to sin, but power to live righteously.3️⃣ Warning Against False Teachers (1 John 2:26)“These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.”A major concern in the letter is deception. John warns believers about false teachers who distort the truth about Christ. He reminds them to remain grounded in what they have heard from the beginning.Key takeaway: Spiritual discernment is essential to remain steadfast in truth.4️⃣ Assurance of Eternal Life (1 John 5:13)“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.”John’s final and climactic purpose is assurance. Believers don’t have to guess or hope—they can know they have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.Key takeaway: Eternal life is not uncertain for the believer—it is assured through faith in Christ.Closing ThoughtThese four objectives—joy, holiness, discernment, and assurance—form the backbone of 1 John and remain deeply relevant for believers today. John writes not merely to inform, but to transform lives rooted in truth.

1 JOHN 1:5-10GOD IS LIGHT WALKING IN DARKNESS WALKING IN LIGHTNATURE OF SINARE BELIEVERS SINNERS?

1 John 1:1-4JESUS CHRIST REVEALEDPURPOSE OF THE LETTER #1: EXPERIENCE FULLNESS OF JOY

Jude 1REMEMBER THE WARNINGSBUT, BELOVED

Jude 1WARNING ON FALSE TEACHERSCHALLENGE TO CONTEND FOR OUR FAITH

Jude 1Author: Family: Written to: Jude (full name maybe Judas or Judah) half-brother of Jesus (Mathew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us?)Time: 65-80 ADWritten to: Jewish Believers. General epistle (not written to any specific church)

Brief Review of Nehemiah