Slices
Prepare
At the beginning of this series, still yourself to be ready to hear from God. It’s a new beginning and a new chance to come before God.
Bible passage
The incarnation of the Word of life
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.
Light and darkness, sin and forgiveness
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
2 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.
Explore
if you’ve ever been out driving at night when there are no street lights, you’ll know it’s dark! Lights coming towards you light up the road for a moment but then blind you the next. However, cars just ahead provide that extra light to help you see the way.
Lights ahead and before you are powerful. This is why the analogy of light in this reading is compelling.
God is light (v 5) and in the beginning he created light (Genesis 1:3). He has always been the source of light and wants us to walk in the light he gives (v 7). His light is from the beginning and goes ahead of us to show the way ahead.
This light is not to blind us, but to guide us to walk in truth, to shine a light on dangers and to lead us to fellowship with one another (v 7). If we confess our sins, the light purifies us and makes atonement for our sins, cleansing us (v 7), so we can journey in the light and arrive at our destination. Jesus calls us to walk in the light so we can walk with him.
Respond
As we explore the books of 1, 2 and 3 John together, ask for God’s light to help you to continue to walk in the light, asking for forgiveness where this is not the case.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 61,62; Hebrews 12
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for children who have received copies of It’s Your Move (and Welsh version Y Cam Nesaf) as they start in secondary school. Pray that they will feel encouraged and supported and will see something of the help that Jesus can bring.
