Introduction
The pressure is on. There are 8 children belonging to two families in front of you, and you must correctly identify which family each child belongs to. Sound impossible? What if I told you that one set of parents were Japanese, and the other were Scandinavian? Think you could do it now? The family resemblances which would enable you to correctly identify the children of each family were caused by genes. Each child received genes from their father and mother that make them what they are. 1 John 3:4-9 draws an analogy from these genetic family ties by saying that we will spiritually resemble the family of which we are part. Your life shows spiritual family resemblances to God’s family or the devil’s family. By looking at your life, you can tell which family you are part of just like you could tell apart Scandinavian and Japanese children. Let’s look at what the differences are between God’s family and the devil’s family, and which family’s traits we share.
Observation
Pray
God tells us that we cannot fully understand Scripture without the Spirit’s help. Ask Him to show you what this passage is saying, and how you should live it today.
Read Focus Verses
Read 1 John 3:4-9 and look at what God is emphasizing in this passage.
A Clear Theme
Did you notice a word used over and over again in this passage?
Keyword - Sin
This symbol can help us see all of the references to sin and transgression in these verses.
How many times...
Go through 1 John 3:4-9 and mark everywhere sin and transgression are mentioned.
Read in Context
Let’s read this passage in its context to see how some of the themes are developed in the verses around it. 1 John 3:1-16 will expand our understanding of the verses we’ll examine today.
Sin Defined
In verse 4, God defines sin for us. What is sin?
Why Did Jesus Come?
What are the two reasons in verses 5 and 8 that Jesus came to earth?
Who Sins?
Who does verse 8 tell us we are like when we sin?
Who is Righteous?
Verses 7 and 9 tell us that we are like whom when we do righteousness and do not sin?
Unique Traits
Verse 10 tells us that there are 2 spiritual families – God’s and the devil’s. How, according to 1 John 3:4-9 can we tell apart the children of God and the children of the devil?
Interpretation
Why Does It Matter?
Have you ever wondered why it matters if you obey God’s commandments? Why is it sin for you to break God’s law? Consider what Revelation 4:9-11 says.
God's Authority
We know that if we create or own something, we have authority over it. Revelation 4:11 tells us that God created everything. Based on these truths, is there anything over which God does not have authority? Why or why not?
Sin's Penalty
Since sin is breaking God’s law, and He has authority to tell us what to do, He has the right to set the penalty for sin. Let’s look at Romans 6:23 and notice what sin’s penalty is.
Enforcing the Law
According to Romans 6:23, what is the penalty for sin?
Taking Away Our Sins
If the sin which is defined in 1 John 3:4 deserves death as its just penalty, it makes sense why the next verse, verse 5, tells us that Jesus came to take away our sins. Read Romans 5:8 and see how Jesus took away our sins.
He Had No Sin
In light of these truths that Jesus took our sins and died in our place, consider what verse 5 says – Jesus had no sin. How does His never sinning impact His ability to save us?
Who Does He Save?
We understand the connection between verses 4 and 5 now – sin breaks God’s law; that sin earns death; Jesus, who had no sin of His own, took our sin to save us from it. But to whom do these truths apply? As you read Romans 3:23 watch what it says about who has sinned.
How Many?
Based on Romans 3:23, how many people have sinned?
Who Doesn't Sin?
We’ve just seen that all of us have sinned, but verses 6 and 9 talk about people who don’t sin. Let’s look more closely at those verses and notice the three characteristics they mention of these people who don’t walk in sin anymore. Can you find all 3 of these traits?
Abide in Christ
The first trait we see in verse 6 of those who do not sin is that they abide in Christ. See what 1 John 3:24 says about those who dwell in Him.
See and Know Christ
Second, in verse 6 it says that people who do not sin see and know Christ. What has God given us to reveal Himself to us today so that we can know Him?
Born of God
The third trait of those who do not sin, which we noticed in verse 9, is that they are born of God. Read John 3:3 and note that Jesus uses this language. Then read verse 16 (John 3:16) carefully like Jesus was saying it to you for the first time.
How to Be Born Again
How does Jesus tell us in John 3:16 that we can become part of God’s family?
In Your Own Words
Can you summarize, in your own words, what this passage says about sin, Jesus Christ, the devil, and God’s family?
Application
Making It Personal
Have you trusted in Jesus Christ to save you from your sin so that you can be part of God’s family?
Your Family Heritage
Which family does your life resemble? Does that need to change today? How? (Remember what this passage said about those who do not sin and evaluate whether each is true of you.)
Putting it All Together
The passage we just studied tells us who we are – sinners who deserve death, what God has done about it – sent Jesus to die in our place, and how we should respond – become part of God’s family by believing in Jesus Christ and then walk in righteousness. How could you use the verses you read in this study to share these truths and the good news with someone else?
Wrapup
Closing
We hope that this study has helped you see the difference between God’s family and the devil’s family, and how to become part of God’s family.
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