Slices
Prepare
Can you think of times when God spoke audibly in the Bible? Why did he do this?
Bible passage
Faith in the incarnate Son of God
5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
6 This is the one who came by water and blood – Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Explore
In this final chapter of 1 John, he draws together the threads of what he has been saying in previous chapters and summarises who Jesus is and what is expected of those who follow him (v 3). In verse 5, we are encouraged in that faith: ‘Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.’
There are three times when the voice of God is heard audibly in the New Testament: Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22), Jesus’ transfiguration (Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35) and just before the Last Supper when Jesus predicts his death (John 12:28,29). Each time God speaks, it’s to assert Jesus’ authority of being his Son, giving testimony to who Jesus is.
John reminds us of those moments when God speaks to the crowds at large at Jesus’ baptism, which involves water, and his prediction of his death, which involves blood (v 6). These are instances where God himself testifies to who Jesus is and they are all in agreement. God’s testimony is greater than any human testimony and so all the proof you need that Jesus is the Son of God is given through God’s audible voice. John intends to leave the reader in no doubt that Jesus is God’s Son, as God the Father, the Spirit, Jesus’ baptism in water, and death through blood testify (vs 6–12).
Respond
Pray and ask forgiveness for moments when you have not fully believed or trusted in God.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Jeremiah 9,10; John 4
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for the North team as they explore how best to develop the young leaders’ programme on holidays, missions and events across the region. They are also exploring the best ways to support Faith Guides who want to incorporate young leaders into their mission activities.
