THE DAILY

Joy, Holiness, and Love Awaits! by Kim [ 1 John 1:1-2 ]

The Word of Life

[1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—[2] the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

It is always so exciting to be with and open the Living and Active Word in community and see how He will do as God has said; transform the genuine believer-reader-proclaimer-worshiper into His image. 

As we approach this short (but dense!) book, let’s jump in with both feet! Perhaps challenge ourselves to read this letter every day from beginning to end for the next month. Let’s see what God does as we immerse ourselves in the truth, the promises, and the commands we faithfully read.

In a world that seems to thrive on shifting sand, 1 John provides a firm place to stand. For some it will be a hope, an anchor of joy and holiness and love. For some it will be “foolishness.” It’s truth requires a response. There is no middle ground. 

So will you join Jesus on this journey to transform the one you see in the mirror through the mirror of the God-breathed Word of 1 John? 

- Kim Williams

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?(write in your journal or discuss your group break-outs)

+ The words “That which” begin John's letter. What/Who do they refer to? How might the other words in verse one help you know?

+ What senses do you see in John’s opening verse? List them! Why might he start out with such a tangible testimony of the Word becoming flesh?

+  What does “made manifest” mean to you? How might you explain it to another? What/who was made manifest? 

+ Who is the “we” referring to in verse 1-2?

+ This “we” acts after their encounter with “the word of life made manifest.” What action do they take?  What is the “ goal” of this action?  

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to a personal step of action/obedience fueled by the gospel? (write in your journal or discuss your group break-outs)

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ What gets in your way of seeing, touching, hearing, proclaiming and testifying about the Word of Life made manifest? How can you intentionally work to remove some of those obstacles?

+ Why might your obedience in response to an encounter with the Lord matter to God, to you, and to others in your sphere of influence. 

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus and what is my next step? (e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join Go! www.estuarygo.org)

+ What truths about God and his living Word are we learning first and then helping others remember on our journey. How can we be more intentional about doing so?

+ Who am I discipling as I live and grow and learn to obey Jesus? If this hasn’t been a priority, pray today about who God wants you to reach out to in His Name.

+ Who and where do I look to know what is true? How might reading 1 John daily for a month give some tangible direction? Who do I trust to hold me accountable to living out this truth? 

Fellowship, by Monica [ 1 John 1:3-4 ]

3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

The word fellowship brings to mind The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. To save their world from destruction, a group of like-minded people from various places and walks of life band together and set off on a perilous journey. If gone alone, this venture would have failed for sure, but they went as a fellowship. 

John invites other believers to join the fellowship that the original apostles and eye-witnesses had with Jesus. We too can gain access to the Father through Jesus. The purpose for his writing is that John desires the next generations join the fellowship that he shares with God and the other believers. 

Do you consider the community of other believers to be your fellowship? It is not just a “me and Jesus” mentality. Belonging to Jesus gives us a place in a great community, a fellowship of believers, across time and space, in other places called the fellowship of the saints. I like the term Paul uses in Hebrews 12; he calls the fellowship that has gone before us “a great cloud of witnesses.” In 1 Corinthians 12:27, Paul calls us the “body of Christ.” May many others come to join our fellowship! 

-Monica Godfrey

 [ WHAT ]  is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?(write in your journal or discuss your group break-outs)
+ On what basis does John share this letter with others? 

+ How does our fellowship with one another fit into a larger and greater fellowship?

+ What does this account demonstrate about the nature and character of Jesus? 

[ HOW ]  is the Lord calling me to a personal step of action/obedience fueled by the gospel? (write in your journal or discuss your group break-outs)

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Reflect on your fellowship with God and with his people. Is there something to change or lean into? 

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus and what is my next step?(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join Go! www.estuarygo.org)

+ Is there someone you know who needs to hear of Christ’s innocence and sacrificial love?

+ Who can you invite into the fellowship?

God is Light, by David [1 John 1:5–7]

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him. 6 If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. 7 If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Have you ever made a mistake? Have you ever sinned? This passage can feel a bit intimidating when you read that “in God there is no darkness at all.” It makes you wonder, how could someone like me ever have fellowship with a God like that? But here’s the hope: we don’t come to Him based on perfection. We come because of Jesus. His blood cleanses us from all sin!  Take heart today: because of Jesus, we can walk in the light, fully forgiven and deeply loved.

- David

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that I/we learn? (write in your journal or discuss your group break-outs)

+ What is the message declared?

+ What do we learn about God from this passage?

+ What does this passage teach about the difference between light and darkenss?

+ How powerful is the blood of Jesus?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience fueled by the gospel? (write in your journal or discuss your group break-outs)

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus? (e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join Go! www.estuarygo.org)

+ What is my next step?

Darkness and Deceit versus Life and Light, by John [1 John1:8-10]

8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

John implores his congregation to confess their sins because, through confession, they can walk in the light. This set of verses explicitly builds on what comes before about walking in the light. Truth is equated with light, and lying with darkness. For John, claiming that we have no sin is a form of lying to ourselves and others and, therefore, darkness. The clustering of ideas around darkness paints a dim picture. Self-deceit, pride, lack of forgiveness, dirtiness, and a lack of the presence of God are what characterize the darkness. On the other hand, confession, openness, truth, cleansing, forgiveness, fellowship, and the presence of God characterize the light. John’s mandate to walk in the light and confess our sins is not only the right response to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, but it is also genuinely good for us. We are more fully human when we come into the light and experience forgiveness, fellowship, and the presence of God.

If there are areas of our life that are characterized by some of the fruit of darkness, then this may be an invitation to begin the process of stepping into the light. Specifically, areas where shame, guilt, and condemnation reside are areas that have yet to be touched by the life-giving light of God’s forgiveness.

Grace and Peace

–John Barzal

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that I/we learn? (write in your journal or discuss your group break-outs)

+ What are some of the Laws of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms that are written about Jesus? 

+ In Acts we will see the “promise of the Father” come upon the followers of Jesus during Pentecost. Why is it important that they waited for that before spreading the news of Jesus?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience fueled by the gospel?  (write in your journal or discuss your group break-outs)

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

[ WHO ] am I walking with (and praying for) to discover Jesus? (e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join Go! www.estuarygo.org)

+ What is my next step? 

Our Advocate, by Aaron [1 John 2:1–2]

1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

The Apostle John speaks tenderly and clearly to believers wrestling with sin. His goal is our holiness—“that you will not sin”—yet he knows the struggle is real. In that tension, he gives us good news: Jesus is not only the standard of righteousness but the solution for sin. When we fall, we are not abandoned. We have a defense attorney—an advocate—who stands in the presence of the Father on our behalf.

But Jesus is not just our representative; He is the very basis for our forgiveness. The Greek word for "atoning sacrifice" (ἱλασμός) refers to something that satisfies the wrath of God. Jesus did not merely empathize with us—He laid down His life for us, and in doing so....has pacified all wrath from God toward us.

So today, if you find yourself grieved by sin, don't run from God. Run to your Advocate.

-Aaron Rosa

[ WHAT] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that I/we learn? (Write in your journal or discuss in your group breakouts)

+ What does it mean that Jesus is our “advocate”?

+ Why does John link Jesus’ righteousness to our forgiveness?

+ What do you think Jesus' argument looks like? (Hint: 1 John 1:9)

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to a personal step of action/obedience fueled by the gospel?  (Write in your journal or discuss in your group breakouts.

+ Are you minimizing your sin or despairing in it?

+ What would it look like to confess sin and embrace Jesus as your advocate this week?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus and what is my next step?  (For example, your family around the dinner table, co-worker or neighbor; for help, join Go! www.estuarygo.org)

+ What is my next step?