This study begins our journey through 1 John, a letter written to help Christians become confident in what they believe, deepen their relationship with Jesus, and live lives that reflect the truth of the gospel.

In 1 John 1:1–2:2, John centres everything on the reality of Jesus. He declares that Jesus is not merely an idea or spiritual concept, but the One whom the apostles heard, saw, looked upon and touched. Because Jesus has come in the flesh, we can know God, experience fellowship with Him and with His people, and live in the light.

Yet walking in the light does not mean pretending we are without sin. Instead, it means bringing our sin into the light, confessing it, and trusting in Jesus as our advocate and atoning sacrifice.

Big Idea: Because Jesus has truly come and made God known, we can walk honestly in the light, confess our sin, and find forgiveness and fellowship through Him.

Looking Back

Centre Yourself

Begin by sitting quietly for a minute or two. Invite everyone to take a few slow breaths and become aware of God's presence.

Then read Psalm 139:23–24 slowly:

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Give the group another moment of silence before beginning the discussion.

Reflect

Looking back over the past two weeks, where have you noticed God at work in your life?

This might be through a conversation, circumstance, Scripture, prayer, a challenge, or an unexpected moment.

What has been one area where you have felt particularly close to God—or particularly distant from Him?

What do you think has contributed to that?

Looking Up

Read

Read 1 John 1:1–2:2 together.

As you read, pay particular attention to John's repeated language about seeing, hearing, knowing, fellowship, light, darkness, sin, confession and forgiveness.

Discuss

1. John begins by emphasising that Jesus was someone the apostles could physically hear, see and touch (1:1–3). Why do you think John places such emphasis on the reality of Jesus? What difference does it make to Christian faith that Jesus actually entered human history?

2. John says that "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all" (1:5). What do you think it means to "walk in the light" (1:7)? How might walking in the light look different from simply trying to appear like a good Christian?

3. Verses 8–10 create an interesting tension: Christians are called to walk in the light, yet John assumes that Christians will still sin. What does John say we should do when we sin? What does this passage teach us about the difference between hiding sin and confessing sin?

4. Read 1 John 2:1–2 again. What do these verses reveal about Jesus' response to our sin? How might knowing that Jesus is our advocate change the way we respond when we fail?

Optional Resource

Watch The Bible Project's overview of 1 John before or after the discussion. As you watch, consider how the themes of light, love, obedience and confidence in Jesus develop throughout the letter.

Looking Ahead

Is there an area of your life where you are tempted to hide, minimise or justify something rather than bring it into the light? What would it look like to honestly bring that area before God?

John connects walking in the light with both fellowship with God and fellowship with other believers (1:3, 7). Is there a relationship within your Christian community where God might be inviting you to become more honest, vulnerable or connected?

When you fail, where does your instinct naturally take you—to hide from God, try harder, or run towards Jesus? What is one practical step you could take this fortnight to grow in confidence in Jesus' forgiveness and advocacy?

This Fortnight

Choose one area of your life to intentionally bring into the light before God this week. Spend time confessing it honestly to Him and reminding yourself of the promise of 1 John 1:9:

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Prayer

Father, thank You that You have made Yourself known to us through Jesus. Thank You that Jesus came into the world, that He died for our sins, and that He now stands as our advocate. Help us to walk in the light rather than hide in darkness. Give us courage to confess our sin, receive Your forgiveness, and live honestly before You and one another. May our lives increasingly reflect the light of Christ.

Amen.