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 67, we are going to study the first part of 1 John 2:28.
Let’s read the verse.
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Christ…
Let’s define the words.
And now little children (2532. kai) (3568. nun) (5040. teknion) — is continuing the thought from 1 John 2:27, this phrase carries a sense of urgency for the present moment. It is addressed to beloved little ones in need of spiritual guidance and care, a tender term of deep endearment.
Abide in Christ (3306. menó) (1722. en) (846. autos) — Means a continuous or repeated action: to remain, dwell, continue in, or stay connected with Christ.
John is writing with a pastoral heart.
He uses “little children” as a term of affection, urging his readers to abide in Christ and stay close to Him continually.
There is a clear sense of urgency.
Abiding is a major theme for John.
He brings this term up regularly.
In this lesson, I will share twelve practical ways to abide in Christ.
Return to Your First Love
Revelation 2:4 But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love.
Ask yourself, have you drifted from away Jesus? If you sense spiritual complacency, take this moment to repent and turn back to Him. Tell Jesus you love Him, and renew your desire to abide in Him each day.
Confess Your Sins Quickly
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Unconfessed sin will hinder your ability to abide in Christ. Ask God to search your heart and reveal any sinful ways within you, then seek His strength to obey. He promises to forgive and cleanse you when you confess your sins to Him. Walking in this continual cleansing will help you abide in Christ.
Check out Lesson 18 to learn more about 1 John 1:9.
Pray Continually
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This verse calls us to bring everything to God in prayer and petition, always with thanksgiving. We are to present our requests to Him, fully trusting His care. Pray about everything, keep asking God for what you need, and remain thankful in all circumstances. The wonderful promise is that when you do this, God’s peace which is beyond anything you can understand will protect your heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Praying continually will help you abide in Christ.
Fill Yourself With Christ’s Word and Meditate on It
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.
Let the word of Christ fill your life completely. Read, memorize, and reflect on scripture daily. Share with others what you are learning. Sing to the Lord with gratitude in your heart. Filling your life with His Word will help you abide in Christ.
Cleanse Yourself From the Defilement of the Flesh
2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Remove and avoid sinful influences in your life, and pursue purity in every area. This might include the media you consume, the relationships you keep, or the activities you engage in. God is calling you to holiness, and walking in holiness will help you abide in Christ.
Depend Completely on Jesus
John 15:5 I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.
Recognize that without Christ you can do nothing. Choose to depend completely on Him in every area of your life. When you do, you will bear much fruit and live a life that glorifies God.
Watch Your Heart With All Diligence
Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.
Protect your heart, because it is the source of how you live your life. Keep it pure by filling it with God’s Word so you can abide in Him and allow the love of Jesus to flow out through you.
Obey His Commandments
John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.
To abide in Christ, you must obey His commands. Study His teachings and put them into practice in your daily life. Ask God for the strength to walk in obedience, just as Jesus walked.
Love Fellow Believers
1 John 2:10 (NLT) Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.
To abide in Christ, you need to love others as He loves them. This means serving, forgiving, and showing Christ’s love to your neighbors and fellow believers.
Check out Lesson 33 to learn more about 1 John 2:10.
Have Communion With Christ
Luke 22:19 And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
Abiding in Christ means staying connected to His sacrifice through continual remembrance. Regularly reflect on how Jesus gave His body and blood for us so that we might be saved and live in close fellowship with Him.
Live in Community With Other Believers
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. 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.
Abiding in Christ is not just a personal connection; it is lived out in community with other believers. God calls us to regularly gather and encourage one another toward love and good deeds. This fellowship helps us stay rooted in Christ as we live life together, eagerly awaiting His return.
Live With Awareness of Christ’s Return
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.
Live each day with the awareness that Jesus is coming back soon. Let this truth guide your daily decisions by asking yourself, “Would I be ashamed if Jesus returned today?” Allow this perspective to help you abide faithfully in Christ.
In conclusion, we are called to abide in Christ.
Here are steps you can take to continually remain in, dwell in, continue in, and stay connected with Christ:
Return to Your First Love
Confess Your Sins Quickly
Pray Continually
Fill Yourself With Christ’s Word and Meditate on It
Cleanse Yourself From the Defilement of the Flesh
Depend Completely on Jesus
Watch Your Heart With All Diligence
Obey His Commandments
Love Fellow Believers
Have Communion With Christ
Live in Community With Other Believers
Live With Awareness of Christ’s Return
Remember, abiding in Christ is not a one-time decision but a daily journey. Take these steps each day to grow continually closer to Him. God promises that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. As you do, you will experience His peace and joy and bear eternal fruit for His glory. Stay faithful and keep your eyes on Jesus, for He is with you always.
Here’s a prayer to help you abide in Christ.
Lord Jesus,
Thank You, Lord, for calling me to abide in You, to remain, dwell, and stay connected with You every day. Help me to return to my first love with a sincere heart, to confess my sins quickly, and to seek You continually in prayer. Fill me with Your Word and guide me to live a life of purity and obedience. Teach me to depend completely on You and to guard my heart with diligence. May I love others as You love me, share in fellowship with believers, and continually remember Your sacrifice through communion.
Keep me aware of Your soon return and give me the strength to live each day in a way that honors You. Draw me closer to You, fill me with Your peace and joy, and help me bear fruit that lasts for Your glory.
I trust in Your presence with me always. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.
Let’s read our verse, one more time.
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Christ…
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. Pray continually. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
If you have any prayer requests, please share them in the comments.
Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
(Photo by Penny Hollick on Unsplash. Hines, MN. Berean Standard Bible.)
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