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REMAIN

Review
If you’ve ever stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon, you know the instinct to pause and simply take it in. John’s epistles invite us to look at Jesus in much the same way—not rushing past Him, but gazing again at who He is.

As we begin this series, we’re building on our journey through the Gospel of John, where we learned what it means to abide with God through a relationship with Jesus. John now writes to believers he knows and loves—spiritual children who are sometimes confused, sometimes troubled, and sometimes led astray. His letters are pastoral and personal, grounding them in familiar truths while showing how abiding with Christ is lived out in everyday life.

At the heart of these epistles is Jesus as Message, Model, and Mediator.

Message (v. 1): John repeatedly points “to the beginning,” reminding believers of what they have seen, heard, and touched. Their faith is not built on ideas but on the real, experienced person of Jesus. He is the foundation of eternal life—not only a future hope, but a present, ongoing walk with God.

Model (v. 2): The life Jesus shared with the Father is the same life we are invited into through Him. Jesus lived in complete dependence on the Father, and as we depend on God through faith in Christ, His character is formed in us—bearing fruit like humility and reshaping how we relate to others.

Mediator (vv. 3–4): Jesus makes this life possible and fills it with joy. Because of Him, our fellowship is deeper—centered not merely on community or learning, but on His name. And this shared life produces growing, overflowing joy.

As we move through John’s epistles, we’ll wrestle with key questions: How can we know we truly share in Christ’s life? What helps us grow deeper in it? What hinders our experience of that life and joy? Again and again, John will draw us back to the same starting point—and the same sustaining center: Jesus.

Remember

Jesus is the message we believe, the model we follow, and the mediator who invites us into real life, fellowship, and joy with God.

Rehearse

…so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. – 1 John 1:3b

Reflect

Message: John emphasizes what he has seen, heard, and experienced of Jesus. Where has your faith drifted toward ideas about Jesus rather than a lived, relational walk with Him?

Model: Jesus lived in humble dependence on the Father. What would it look like this week to practice that same humility—choosing dependence on God rather than self-reliance in a specific area of your life?

Mediator: John links real fellowship and joy to our shared life in Christ. How are your relationships within the church reflecting (or missing) that deeper, Christ-centered connection?

Respond

This week, intentionally slow down your engagement with Jesus. Set aside one unhurried moment to read 1 John 1:1–4, asking God not just what to understand, but how to walk with Him more dependently. Let humility shape that time by listening more than speaking and receiving rather than striving.

Relate
Jesus, You are not distant or abstract—you are present and personal. Teach me to depend on You as You depended on the Father. Form Your humility in me so that my life reflects Your character, deepens my fellowship with others, and overflows with true joy. Amen.

Community Encouragement Challenge

Reach out to one person in our church this week—especially someone you don’t regularly connect with. Send a simple message such as:
“I’m grateful that we share life in Christ together. I’m praying that you experience His nearness and joy this week.”

Let this be an act of humble initiative—choosing to build fellowship not for attention, but to strengthen our shared life in Jesus.

Read

Revisit: 1 John 1:1-4
1 John 2:7, 24; 3:11
John 3:16, 6:38; 8:28; 14:9, 31; 20:31
Read Ahead: 1 John 1:5-10

Rejoice – This Week’s Songs

Who You Say I Am ~ What a Beautiful Name ~ Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus