Journaling prompts, Questions and Context from 1 John 5

 Absolutely! Journaling can be a powerful way to reflect on faith, grow spiritually, and deepen your understanding of God's Word. Here are some prompts inspired by **1 John 5**:


### **Faith & Overcoming the World** (Verses 1-5)  

- What does it mean to truly **believe that Jesus is the Son of God**? How does that belief shape my life?  

- In what areas of my life do I need **greater faith to overcome struggles**? How can I rely on God’s strength?  

- How do I show **love for God and His commandments** in daily life?  


### **God’s Testimony About Jesus** (Verses 6-12)  

- How does the testimony of the **Spirit, water, and blood** give me confidence in my faith?  

- What does eternal life in Christ mean to me? How does knowing that **life is found in Him** bring me peace?  

- How can I be a **witness to God’s truth** in my own life and share His message with others?  


### **Assurance of Salvation & Prayer** (Verses 13-15)  

- How confident am I in my **salvation**? What doubts or questions do I need to bring to God?  

- What does it mean to pray **“according to God’s will”**? How can I align my desires with His purpose?  

- Reflect on a time when God **answered a prayer**—how did that experience strengthen my faith?  


### **Sin, Protection & Spiritual Discernment** (Verses 16-21)  

- How can I **intercede** for others who are struggling with sin? What role does prayer play in their journey?  

- What does it mean that **those born of God are protected** from the evil one? How does this give me reassurance?  

- Are there any **idols or distractions** in my life that take my focus away from God? How can I redirect my heart toward Him?  


***

Absolutely! **1 John 5** is a powerful chapter that focuses on **faith, assurance, and victory in Christ**. Here’s an overview to give you some context before your pastor’s sermon:


### **Key Themes in 1 John 5**  

1. **Faith in Jesus as the Son of God** (verses 1-5)  

   - John emphasizes that **believing in Jesus** makes us **children of God**.  

   - True faith leads to **love for God** and obedience to His commands.  

   - It speaks of **victory over the world**—those who trust in Christ overcome sin, struggles, and worldly pressures through faith.  


2. **God’s Testimony About Jesus** (verses 6-12)  

   - This section focuses on the **witnesses** that confirm Jesus as **God’s Son**:  

     - The **Spirit** (through revelation and truth)  

     - The **water** (Jesus’ baptism)  

     - The **blood** (His sacrifice on the cross)  

   - John insists that **God’s testimony** about Jesus is greater than any human claim—our eternal life is **found only in Him**.  


3. **Assurance of Eternal Life** (verses 13-15)  

   - John wants believers to have **confidence in their salvation**—**“I write these things to you...that you may know that you have eternal life”** (1 John 5:13).  

   - It also highlights the **power of prayer** and the assurance that God hears us when we ask **according to His will**.  


4. **Sin, Protection & God's Power** (verses 16-21)  

   - John addresses sin and the need for **intercession**—praying for others who struggle.  

   - He warns against **sin leading to death**, which may refer to either **spiritual separation from God** or an extreme, irreversible consequence of rebellion.  

   - The final verses remind us that **those born of God are protected from evil**, and it urges believers to stay true to God and avoid false idols.  


### **Why This Chapter Matters**  

This chapter is full of **assurance, victory, and faith**. It reminds believers that:  

- Our faith **makes us overcomers**  

- God’s testimony **confirms our salvation**  

- We can be **confident in prayer**  

- We are **protected in Christ**  


***

That’s a fantastic opportunity to explore 1 John in a deeper way! This book is rich with themes of **love, obedience, truth, and assurance in faith**. 

Here are some thought-provoking questions to consider:  


### **Understanding God's Love & Our Response**  

- What does 1 John teach about **God’s love**, and how should believers reflect that love in daily life? (1 John 4:7-21)  

- How does 1 John define **true love** compared to the world’s definition?  

- What does it mean that **God is love**? (1 John 4:8)  


### **Faith, Assurance & Relationship with God**  

- How can we know if we truly have a **relationship with God**? (1 John 2:3-6)  

- 1 John speaks often about **assurance of salvation**—how can we be confident that we belong to Christ? (1 John 5:11-13)  

- What does it mean to **"walk in the light"** versus living in darkness? (1 John 1:5-7)  


### **Overcoming Sin & Spiritual Growth**  

- How does 1 John describe sin, and how should believers view their own struggles with it? (1 John 3:6-10)  

- What does it mean that believers should not "love the world"? How does this apply today? (1 John 2:15-17)  

- What role does **confession** play in a believer’s life? (1 John 1:9)  


### **False Teachings & Spiritual Discernment**  

- How does 1 John warn us about **false teachers**, and what should we look for to recognize them? (1 John 4:1-6)  

- What does John mean when he talks about the **"spirit of the antichrist"**, and how should we respond to deception? (1 John 2:18-27)  


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