Walk Your Talk

As we learned this last week, 1 John was written by the Apostle John when he was an old man. John was seeing false doctrines starting to take hold with believers in Ephesis and the churches in the surrounding areas. Much like an elderly person would tell us young folk (he he) about the Great Depression and the lessons learned during that time, John was telling his readers about the simple but power truths that he learned from Jesus himself.

Chapter 2 carries on with these four themes:

• Jesus is our Advocate When We Sin.
• To Know Him is To Obey Him
• Do Not Love the World Because It is Passing Away
• Don't Be Lead Astray By False Doctrines

As you read the chapter be aware of the extremely powerful and convicting statements about the evidence of your faith.

Quesions:

1. John states that he is writing this so that we may not sin. If we do, what is God's provision for us?
2. Define "propitiation".
3. Define "advocate".
4. How do we come to know God? What is required of us?
5. What is the evidence that we are walking in the light? What should we not be doing and what should we be doing?
6. What are the two main reasons we should not love the world?
7. What happens if you deny that Jesus is not the Christ?
8. What happens if you confess that Jesus is the Christ?
9. Why should we abide in Christ?

I trust that these questions will aid you in your study?

See you Wednesday or Sunday.

Curtis

Faith, Obedience and Love - 1 John Overview

Well after several months in Jeremiah we are now going to venture back into the New Testament. My plans are for us to spend the next five weeks or so studying 1 John before starting a study of the gospel of Matthew. I am very excited about both studies.

Let's get started with 1 John. I just finished reading the entire book in one sitting, something I would like to ask you to do this week. When you read the book you will find or will be reminded just how many powerful and significant verses are contained in this small book.

Most scholars agree that this epistle (letter) was written by the apostle John (the beloved disciple) who was one of two disciples in Jesus' inner circle. As you read the book, certain themes and John's close relationship with Jesus will certainly jump out at you. The themes of faith, obedience and love come across in a powerful way.

This week we will be doing an overview of the book as well as looking at the chapter 1. As you read you may want to consider these questions:

1. What are the similarities between 1 John and the gospel of John with respect to words that he uses to describe Christ? (1:1-3)
2. Why does John say he is writing this letter? (1:4)
3. How does John describe God? (1:5)
4. What happens when confess our sins? (1:9)
5. Who is our advocate and with whom is he our advocate? (2:1)
6. What should be our approach to the world? (2:15-17)
7. What is the promise the Father has made to us? (2:25)
8. Why doesn't the world know or understand us as believers? (3:1)
9. How does John suggest we show our love? (3:18)
10. What should our response to God loving us? (4:11)
11. Why do we love God? (4:19)
12. If we love God, how does that impact our view of his commandments? (5:4)
13. What is the second reason that John is writing this letter? (5:13)

I hope that you take the time to read this book and review these questions. I trust that you will be blessed.

In Christ,

Curtis

Inaugural Blog

Well this is my inaugural blog. I really have no idea what I am doing but I am about to do it anyway. I never thought I would be a blogger but then again I never thought I would be an entrepreneur and I was wrong about that too.

The title of the blog originates from one of my favorite verses:

"For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules to Israel." Ezra 7:10

It became a natural choice for the title when I reflected on my first reading and my most recent reading of the verse. The first time, I was sitting in my backyard hammock crying out to God for direction with respect to my career and playing Bible Roulette. I landed on this verse and it was a powerful moment given my love for learning and teaching Scripture. Then recently, while doing my daily reading and again seeking direction on some critical issues in my life, the verse came up again. Another powerful moment and I believe not a coincidence.

My intent is to write weekly regarding my thoughts on my upcoming BFG lessons at First Baptist McKinney. While I feel resistance to the idea of becoming a "blogger", I feel lead to use the medium to communicate and possibly create a better learning environment for people who choose to read the thoughts and then attend one the classes.

So if you are a reader of the blog and/or attend one of the BFG classes, I am humbled and appreciative. I pray that God will honor your time reading and studying.

In Christ,

Curtis