Welcome back to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John.
We just finished studying 1 John 1:2.
Let’s do a quick review of the lessons from 1 John 1:2.
Lesson 7 - 1 John 1:2 And this is the life that was revealed... (Eternal Life Revealed)
We learned that Jesus was concealed in the Old Testament and was revealed in the New Testament. We also learned that Jesus wants to continue to reveal more and more about Himself to you. Ask Him to reveal more of Himself to you, seek Him earnestly, knock on His door, and seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Lesson 8 - 1 John 1:2...we have seen it and testified to it... (Share Your Testimony)
We learned about sharing your testimony. You were encouraged to write out your testimony of what your life was like before Jesus, when you believed in Jesus, and how Jesus is transforming your life now. You were encouraged to ask God to give you the strength to share your testimony and then, to share your testimony with everyone.
Lesson 9 - 1 John 1:2...and we proclaim to you the eternal life... (Proclaim The Eternal Life)
We learned that Jesus is “the eternal life,” we learned what the Bible says about eternal life, and that we need to proclaim “the eternal life” to others.
Lesson 10 - 1 John 1:2...that was with the Father and was revealed to us. (The Relationship Between Jesus and The Father)
We learned 11 aspects of Jesus’ relationship with His Father.
In this lesson we’re going to learn about fellowshipping with other believers.
Let’s read our verse:
1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.
Let’s focus on…We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.
The first word of this verse is “we.”
John didn’t say “I proclaim to you” he said “We proclaim to you.”
That means he wasn’t by himself.
He was in a fellowship of believers that had also seen and heard Jesus.
The word fellowship, or koinónia in the Greek, means partnership, sharing in, joint community, a common bond, a common life, and participation.(Strong’s Concordance, HELPS Word-Studies.)
We are called to fellowship with other believers.
Get involved with others that love Jesus and are proclaiming Him to the world. Share with them what God is teaching you from the Bible, share what He is doing in your life, and pray together.
God wants you to be in fellowship with others so that you can partake of all that He has for you.
When you get together with non-believers tell them about Jesus so they can come into fellowship with you and with other believers. Share your testimony of who Jesus is and how He has changed your life.
Don’t hold back in proclaiming what you have seen and heard.
The Bible provides us with some great verses that show us what fellowshipping with other believers looks like. Let’s take a look at some of them.
In Acts 1:14 we read that the followers of Christ, after Christ was taken up into the sky, continued together in prayer with one accord. With one accord means that they were praying together with one mind, unanimously, and at the same time (Strong’s Concordance). When you are fellowshipping with other believers spend time praying to God with one accord.
Acts 1:14 With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
In Acts 2:42 we read that the followers of Jesus devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Devoted means to give constant attention towards something, to continue steadfast in, to stay in a fixed direction in spite of difficulties, and to continue to do something with intense effort. (Strong’s Concordance, HELPS Word-Studies.) This verse shows us that fellowship involves devotion.
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
In Hebrews 10:25 we read that we are not to neglect meeting together and we are called to be an encouragement to one another.
Hebrews 10:25 Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
In 1 Peter 4:7 we read that fellowship involves loving one another deeply, showing hospitality, and not complaining.
1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
In conclusion we are called to proclaim Jesus to the world in order to bring people into fellowship. We learned that fellowship requires devotion, involves praying with one accord, studying the Bible, breaking bread, meeting together habitually, encouraging one another, loving one another deeply and showing hospitality to one another without complaining.
Proclaim Jesus today and bring people into fellowship.
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Thank you and God bless you.
~ Jeff M Newman
VERSE BY VERSE BIBLE STUDY LESSONS (See all)
Lesson 10 - 1 John 1:2...that was with the Father and was revealed to us. (The Relationship Between Jesus and The Father)
Lesson 9 - 1 John 1:2 ...and we proclaim to you the eternal life... (Proclaim The Eternal Life)
Lesson 8 - 1 John 1:2...we have seen it and testified to it... (Share Your Testimony)
Lesson 7 - 1 John 1:2 And this is the life that was revealed... (Eternal Life Revealed)
Lesson 6 - 1 John 1:1...this is the Word of life. (The Message of Eternal Life)
Lesson 5 - 1 John 1:1...and touched with our own hands...(Touching Jesus by Faith)
Lesson 4 - 1 John 1:1...which we have gazed upon... (Gaze Upon Jesus)
Lesson 3 - 1 John 1:1...which we have seen with our own eyes... (Eyes of Faith)
Lesson 2 - 1 John 1:1…which we have heard… (Hear and Obey God)
Lesson 1 - 1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning (Jesus is Eternal)
(Image by Daniel Mirlea on Unsplash)
Lesson 11 - 1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us...