A Part of a Community
OPENING THOUGHT
John Donne famously said “no man is an island.” Is it possible to live in complete isolation? Discuss some of the communities we belong to.
THE READING (1 John 3:11-18)
John, who is known as the apostle of love, concentrates more on love in these few verses than he does anywhere else, using the verb “to love” four times and the noun twice. He focuses not only on what love is but also on what it does.
EXPLORE
Discuss these questions to get a better understanding of the text.
What is the message John’s readers have heard “from the beginning” (i.e., the fundamental message)?
What do you remember about the story of Cain and Abel? In what ways did Cain reject the community of humanity?
What does John give as a clear sign indicating a person has eternal life?
Love comes in all shapes and sizes. How does John define love in verse 16?
How should love be demonstrated according to verses 17-18?
What is the overall idea of the text?
APPLY
Discuss these questions to envision what it would be like to practically live out this passage.
Is it possible to live apart from a community?
Why is it so easy to stay focused on yourself? Why is this a dangerous tendency?
Discuss the following quotation from C.S. Lewis: “Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you love someone, you will presently come to love him.”
What is more important—the feelings or actions of love?
We belong to more than one community. What are some examples of the communities in which we are to look for needs and show love to others?
