February 23 – 1 John 3:1-10

Good morning, ladies! We are ready to begin chapter three today. We’ll just do the first 10 verses this week.

In case you haven’t memorized the instructions yet…

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to enlighten your reading this week, and that of everyone else in the study. Pray for our Pastors as they prepare to teach and counsel this week, too, that the Holy Spirit will give them insight.
• Read 1 John 2:1-14 three times or more during the week.
• Find a question or two about the text that you might want to answer this week.
• Pick a verse for meditation this week. Write it on an index card or sticky note included in your folder and put it somewhere that you will see it often.
• Go to various teachers and resources to find the answers to your questions, and, as you have time, to learn more about the text. Again, I’m including an impossible number of resources here, so please pick and choose from the teachers you find most helpful. Feel free to supplement with commentaries, study Bibles and other resources.
• Plan to share at least one helpful insight or a question that you find in this week’s study.

 

Pastor Logan

3:1-3  https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/112119421483236

 

MacArthur

3:1-3  https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-24/the-purifying-hope-part-3

3:4-8  https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-26/the-christians-incompatibility-with-sin-part-2

3:4-10  https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-25/the-christians-incompatibility-with-sin-part-1

3:9-10 https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-27/the-christians-incompatibility-with-sin-part-3

 

Begg

3:1-3 https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/privileges-of-sonship/

3:4-10 pt 1 https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/sinlessness-fact-or-fiction-pt1/

3:4-10 pt. 2  https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/sinlessness-fact-or-fiction-pt2/

 

Piper

3:1  https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-depth-of-christs-love-its-lavish-benefits

3:1-10  https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-reason-the-son-of-god-appeared-was-to-destroy-the-works-of-the-devil

3:1-10 b  https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/no-one-born-of-god-makes-a-practice-of-sinning

February 16 – 1 John 2:15-29

Good morning, Ladies!

We are halfway through our study of 1 John!  Today we begin Chapter 2:15-29.

Instructions:

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to enlighten your reading this week, and that of everyone else in the study. Pray for our Pastors as they prepare to teach and counsel this week, too, that the Holy Spirit will give them insight.
• Read 1 John 2:15-29 three times or more during the week.
• Find a question or two about the text that you might want to answer this week. Looking for answers to questions as you study brings a whole new dimension to study, and it feels great when God helps you find the right resource to answer just the question that has you stumped.
• Pick a verse for meditation this week. Write it on an index card or sticky note included in your folder and put it somewhere that you will see it often. (I usually put mine by my computer monitor, but over the sink or on the bathroom mirror are also good options.)
• Go to various teachers and resources to find the answers to your questions, and, as you have time, to learn more about the text. Again, I’m including an impossible number of resources here, so please pick and choose from the teachers you find most helpful. Feel free to supplement with commentaries, study Bibles and other resources.
• Plan to share at least one helpful insight or a question that you find in this week’s study. It’s so encouraging when lots of us participate, but if that’s very difficult for you, we understand.

 

Pastor Logan

2:15-17  https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/91819016144657

2:18-23  https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/103192312186434

2:20-27  https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/101819151171732

2:28-29  https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/11719146292872

 

A Look at the Book

2:18-19  https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/who-are-the-antichrists

2:19  https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/can-a-true-christian-fall-away-from-god

 

MacArthur

2:15-17 https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-15/the-love-god-hates

2:15-17 b https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-16/why-christians-dont-love-the-world

2:16  https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-17/the-cardiology-of-worldliness

2:18 a https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-18/christians-and-antichrists-part-1

2:19-26   https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-18/christians-and-antichrists-part-1

2:19-27 https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-20/christ-and-antichrists-part-3

2:28 https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-22/the-purifying-hope-part-1

2:28-3:1 https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-23/the-purifying-hope-part-2

 

Begg

2:12-17 https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/description-and-direction/

2:18-27 https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/a-word-of-warning/

2:28-3:3 https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/the-children-of-god/

 

Piper

2:15-17  https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/do-not-love-the-world

2:18-27  https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/let-what-you-heard-from-the-beginning-abide-in-you

 

February 9 – 1 John 2:1-14

Good morning, Ladies!

Today we begin Chapter 2:1-14. The instructions repeat for each section of Scripture that we tackle, so you’ll be very familiar with them by the end of this study!

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to enlighten your reading this week, and that of everyone else in the study. Pray for our Pastors as they prepare to teach and counsel this week, too, that the Holy Spirit will give them insight.
• Read 1 John 2:1-14 three times or more during the week.
• Find a question or two about the text that you might want to answer this week.
• Pick a verse for meditation this week. Write it on an index card or sticky note included in your folder and put it somewhere that you will see it often.
• Go to various teachers and resources to find the answers to your questions, and, as you have time, to learn more about the text. Again, I’m including an impossible number of resources here, so please pick and choose from the teachers you find most helpful. Feel free to supplement with commentaries, study Bibles and other resources.
• Plan to share at least one helpful insight or a question that you find in this week’s study.

Pastor Logan

2:1-2  https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/82919223355249

2:1-2 https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/821192335317512

2:3-6  https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/5619220184330

2:7-11  https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/9519238161757

2:12-14  https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/91119199217757

 

MacArthur

2:1  https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-9/our-divine-defense-attorney

2:2  https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-10/the-sacrifice-that-satisfied

2:3   https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-11/the-certainty-of-christian-assurance-part-1

2:4-6 https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-12/the-certainty-of-christian-assurance-part-2

2:7-11 https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-13/live-by-a-new-love 

2:12-14  https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-14/the-stages-of-spiritual-growth

Begg

2:3-11 https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/keeping-his-commands/

2:12-17 https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/description-and-direction/

Piper

2:1-2  https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/jesus-christ-is-an-advocate-for-sinners

2:3  https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/is-it-right-to-seek-more-joy-than-we-have-through-justification

2:3-6  https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/obedience-confirms-our-standing-in-god

2:7-11  https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-one-who-loves-lives-in-light

2:12-14  https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-strong-need-strength

 

February 2 – 1 John 1

Ready to dig into the text? This week we’ll be studying 1 John, chapter 1—just ten verses, but rich and full of depth.

Feel free to use any commentary, study Bible, or tool you find helpful. I’ve included an intentionally impossible number of references below 😊 Please know that no one is expected to listen to or read all of them. Think of this as a library, not an assignment list. Pick and choose what serves you best.

Here’s how it works:

• Pray that the Holy Spirit would enlighten your reading and listening this week—and that He would do the same for everyone in our study. Please also pray for our pastors as they prepare to teach and counsel this week, asking that the Spirit would give them insight and wisdom.

• Read 1 John 1.

• Identify one or two questions from the text that you’d like to explore this week.
For example:

• “In what ways is God like light?” (v. 5)

• “How would the original audience have understood the practice of confessing sins?”

Studying with questions in mind adds a whole new dimension to reading Scripture—and it’s deeply encouraging when God leads you to just the right resource to help answer a question that’s been nagging at you.

John Dewey: “People only truly think when they are confronted with a problem. Without some kind of dilemma to stimulate thought, behavior becomes habitual rather than thoughtful.”

Jonathan Edwards: “Asking questions is the key to understanding.”

• Choose one verse for meditation this week. Write it on an index card or sticky note from your folder and place it somewhere you’ll see often.
(I usually put mine by my computer monitor, but the bathroom mirror or above the kitchen sink work well too.)

• Explore resources and teachers to help answer your questions and deepen your understanding of the passage. Again, there are far more resources listed than anyone could use in a week—please pick the ones you find most helpful, and feel free to supplement with commentaries, study Bibles, or other trusted tools.

• Be ready to share at least one helpful insight or one question that stood out to you this week. It’s so encouraging when many of us participate, but if sharing feels difficult for you, please know that we completely understand.

 

---

 

Resources

You can find these on our website—bookmarking it may be easier than coming back to this email each time:
https://www.no-teacher-bible-study.com/

Pastor Logan
1:1–4 — https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/84192130112393
1:5–10 — https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/816192487164

A Look at the Book – John Piper (recommended)
1:5–10 — https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/fake-christians-walk-in-darkness
1:1–10 — https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/how-do-i-walk-in-the-light

John MacArthur
1:1 — https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-2/certainties-of-the-word-of-life-part-1
1:1–4 — https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-3/certainties-of-the-word-of-life-part-2
1:1–7a — https://www.gty.org/sermons/1314/fellowship-of-the-body-the-part-1
1:1–7b — https://www.gty.org/sermons/1315/fellowship-of-the-body-the-part-2
1:5 — https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-5/god-the-source-of-light
1:5–2:1a — https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-4/the-certainty-of-sin-part-1
1:5–2:1b — https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-6/the-certainty-of-sin-part-2
1:5–2:1c — https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-7/the-certainty-of-sin-part-3
1:8–10 — https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-8/total-forgiveness-and-the-confession-of-sin

Alistair Begg
1:1–4 — https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/why-study-1-john/
1:1–4 — https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/the-word-of-life/
1:5–2:2 — https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/three-spurious-claims/

John Piper
1:1 — https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/free-at-last
1:5–10 — https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/let-us-walk-in-the-light-of-god

Looking forward to learning alongside you this week.

Warmly,
Susan

 

January 26 – Continue Listing and Summarizing

Hi Ladies! Here we are, ready to begin our extra week of keywords, contrasting words, lists and summaries! I’m planning to spend this week exploring contrasting words and phrases, and I'm glad to have the extra week to continue my exploration.

Please try to read the entire book this week to solidify the structure and main ideas in your mind before we spend the next nine weeks focusing on details.

If you are done listing, you might consider:

• reading the introduction to 1 John in some commentaries or study Bibles
• looking up your keywords in a Bible dictionary, Strongs, or through the free Literal Word app for your phone
• experiencing the book in a slightly different way:
  • Try reading the whole book out loud, which helps with focus
  • If you have been reading the text, try listening to it.
  • If you are a listener, try reading it.
  • If you always use ESV, try a NET Bible or another good translation
  • If you are super motivated, try writing sections out.

I'd love to hear how you are planning to spend the week!

Every blessing,

Susan

January 19 – Keyword lists and summaries

How are you holding up on list weeks, ladies? As always, try to trust the process. It’s proven helpful to me over and over.

I’m so excited by the feedback we are getting and all the wonderful insights. Please let me know what you think about extending the keyword process rather than moving to Chapter 1 next Sunday. I’m inclined to add a week, but we can keep to the syllabus if you all prefer.

Here are the instructions for making keyword lists:

5. Make Keyword Lists

• On the notebook paper in your booklet, make a separate list for each keyword.
• For each instance, write:
  • The verse reference
  • A short note explaining how the word is used in context

Example from our 2 Peter Study – Keyword: Knowing/Know/Knowledge

Verse

Context

1:3

Knowing Jesus is the means by which God grants us all things for life and godliness.

3:17

Because you know some twist Paul’s words, be careful not to be led astray.

5. Summarize

• Once your lists are complete, take a few minutes to reflect.
• Write a 1–2 line summary of what John is saying about each keyword.
• This might feel challenging, but it always leads to deep thinking—even if the summary isn’t “perfect.”

6. Keep Reading/Listening

• Stay in the text daily—as much as you’re able—by reading or listening or listing.
• The more familiar you become with 1 John, the more these key themes will stand out!
• Consider doing an extra list or two with contrasting words - Karla sent an excellent list but you may prefer to find them yourself. Or perhaps you'll want to list some phrases that are repeated, as Lori and Benita suggested. I attached a page with a couple of suggestions people made last week, just in case you like to print things, like I do.

7. One more idea

Consider looking up definitions for each of your words for more insight:

 KJV with Strongs #s: https://www.stepbible.org/?q=version=ESV@reference=Jude&options=VNHUG

(click on any word to see a definition of the Greek word and how it is used in Scripture.)

Or use the Literal Word app that Lori sent earlier! Go to Google Play to find the free app, or the Apple app store. I have really enjoyed this resource.

 

Happy reading and listing, Ladies!
Let’s see what God has to show us in His Word this week! I can't wait to hear from you.

 

--

Susan

 

-

January 12 – Overview, Main Themes, Keywords

Hi Ladies,

This week, keep reading 1 John in overview mode. Please try to read or listen to the whole thing three times again this week.

We’ll be looking for  key words in the text. You can find them by these identifiers:

• They might be repeated often in the book
• They may only be mentioned a few times but directly relate to your key verse or list of themes.

Remember to add synonyms – if we were talking about “works”, we might add “deeds” or “labors”, depending on the context, for example.

Also, look for words that contrast - light/dark. good/evil, etc.

Let’s plan on sharing these words on Friday so that we have an opportunity to see any word we might have missed.

 

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Choose Your Keywords

• Pick 10 key words that stand out in the book of 1 John.
• Write them on the first page of your text in your study folder.
• You can do more or fewer—just do what you can with the time the Lord gives you, and we’ll call it a win!
• Remember that this process will be spread over two weeks, so pace yourself accordingly. I am planning to identify and mark my key words this week, and create my lists one keyword a day next week. You might find it easier to do it a different way, and that’s totally acceptable.

2. Create a Legend (Symbols or Colors)

• Choose a color or symbol for each keyword.
  • Example: For “knowledge,” you might highlight it in yellow or draw a small pair of glasses next to the word.
• Add these symbols/colors next to your word list to create your legend—like a map key that explains your markings.

3. Mark the Keywords in the Text

• Using your legend, begin marking your keywords in the text in your folder.
• You can highlight all the words in one pass, or—like me—you may want to do one keyword per read-through to avoid missing any.
• The more you read, the more you’ll start noticing them!

If it helps, here’s my plan for the week:

• Monday – read through once, making a list of potential key words.
• Tuesday - read through once, add words that contrast to my list of key words, like good/evil
• Wednesday – whittle down my list to a manageable number of key words, begin marking them
• Thursday – continue reading and marking
• Friday – continue reading and marking, share key words as a group.
• Saturday/Sunday – continue reading and marking, catch up listening to any overviews I missed last week