Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
In Lesson 61, we are going to study the first part of 1 John 2:24.
Let’s read this part of the verse:
1 John 2:24 As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you…
Now, let us go over the definitions of the words.
As for you, (4771. su) — Means you the reader.
Let what you have heard (3739. hos, hé, ho) (191. akouó) — Means to permit what you heave heard or listened to.
From the beginning (575. apo) (746. arché) — Means from the origin, or starting point.
Remain in you (3306. menó) (4771. su) — Means to abide, stay, dwell, continue in, or endure in you.
In other words, let what you have heard from the beginning of your faith—the message you first listened to—stay with you, live in you, continue in you, and endure in you.
There was a moment when you first heard about Jesus—the Savior of the world—and the good news He brings.
This is the message:
Jesus was born, lived a perfect life, helped people, and taught people how to have a relationship with God. He died on the cross to take the punishment for your sins. He was buried, but then He came back to life! He is alive today. This is the good news or the gospel. If you believe in Jesus and ask Him to forgive you for your sins, He will give you a new life with God that lasts forever.
John is encouraging you to hold on to that message.
Think often about what Jesus has done for you. You don’t need a new message or something different to have a real relationship with God.
Live your life in the power of the simple truth of the gospel.
John reminds us of this in order to protect us from false teachers.
False teachers try to bring in new ideas that don’t line up with the gospel message.
Let’s take a look at some verses that speak about the truth that you have heard from the beginning and about remaining in this truth.
In 1 John 1:1–3, John tells us that he and the other disciples saw, heard, and touched Jesus themselves. They were eyewitnesses to His life. John’s sharing this so that you too, can have a close relationship or fellowship with God the Father and His Son, Jesus. The good news we believe is not just a story—it’s based on real events and real people who were there. Hold on to this message and keep it close to your heart.
1 John 1:1-3 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. 2 And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. 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.
In Colossians 1:23, we read that we must continue in the faith—being established, firm, and unmoved from the hope of the gospel we heard. Paul reminds believers to stay grounded in the original message that was proclaimed everywhere.
Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
In Colossians 3:16, we read that we are to let the word of Christ richly dwell within us—filling our lives as we teach, encourage, and worship with thankful hearts. This shows us that the message of Christ isn’t just something we hear once but something that should live in us daily.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
In John 8:31, we read that Jesus said to the Jews who believed in Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.” Jesus makes it clear that true discipleship is marked by holding on to His teachings and living by them.
John 8:31 So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.
In Hebrews 3:14-15, we read that believers are urged to continue in what they have learned and firmly believed, remembering from whom they learned it. The writer also points out that the Holy Scriptures, known from infancy, make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 3:14-15 But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. 15 From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
In conclusion, we are to let what we heard from the beginning, the good news, remain in us.
Here are the key takeaways from this lesson.
The disciples heard, saw, gazed upon, and touched Jesus—the Word of life. They shared this so that we can have a relationship with God. Let this message remain in you. (1 John 1:1-3)
Stay strong in your faith—rooted and established. Don’t move away from the hope found in the gospel. (Colossians 1:23)
Let the word of Christ live in you richly. Teach and encourage one another. Worship with thankful hearts through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. (Colossians 3:16)
Continue in Jesus’ teachings. When you do so, you are truly His disciple. (John 8:31)
Hold firmly to the truth you first believed from the Scriptures. Don’t harden your heart—stay faithful to Christ. (Hebrews 3:14-15)
Don’t forget—your faith is built on a real and living Savior. The disciples saw Him, touched Him, and shared their experience so you could know Him too. Stay rooted in the gospel, let God's Word live in you, and keep walking with Jesus every day. As you hold on to what you first believed, your life will shine with the hope and truth of Christ. Keep going—you’re not alone, and God is at work in you.
Let’s read the first part of 1 John 2:24 one more time.
1 John 2:24 As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you…
If you’ve been blessed by Hope Bible School, please share it with others.
Listen to these lessons over and over again.
Meditate on God’s Word throughout the day.
If you have any prayer requests, please share them in the comments.
Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
(Photo by v2osk on Unsplash. Bible verses are from the Berean Standard Bible.)
Share this post