Sunday June 12
In 1 John, Chapter 2, John tells the Christians in Asia Minor that it is “the last hour” and that there is an “antichrist” and “antichrists” roaming about. Huh? We will talk about those two peculiar phrases on Sunday. Admittedly, there is a lot in this chapter that is best understood in the first century. BUT…we can still learn something. Hope to see you Sunday!
Currently at dinner church we are reading the book of 1 John. It is a short book, near the end of the Bible. It actually is not a “book” at all, but a letter. The author of this letter was “John,” who is likely the same John who wrote the Gospel of John, the fourth book of the New Testament, which recounts the story and meaning of Jesus’ life and ministry. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, John was part of the generation of “eyewitnesses,” or “apostles” — people who had known Jesus personally. John eventually ends up in Asia, modern-day Turkey, where he shepherds the early Christian communities as a pastor, likely being part of a community around Ephesus, while encouraging other communities through visits and letters.
Smell: Watch the video
This video is an overview of the phrase “Day of the Lord” that is found in the Bible. While this phrase does not appear in 1 John, you will read another phrase, “the last hour.” What is the last hour? John is the only writer in the New Testament that uses this phrase, so we need to look at what an “hour” means to first-century Jews. A look at its use in the New Testament suggests two main uses: 1) a marker of time during the day, and 2) a way of describing the arrival of an expected event. I’m thinking John uses it in the former way, a marker of time during the day. But what day? Not a normal 24 hour day, but a “day of the Lord.” Watch the video and ask yourself — if the “last hour” is somehow related to “the day of the Lord” in 1 John 2:18, what do you think John means?
Taste: Read 1 John 2:15-28
Choose one of the following ways to engage this passage as you read. Have a piece of paper or notebook handy to write your thoughts down. Or, if you don’t want to write, talk it over with someone or process it out loud, either for yourself or as a prayer.
- Put the passage (or just a few verses) in your own words.
- Read the passage three times and choose one word or phrase that jumps out at you. Take 5-10 minutes or so to think about that word or phrase; why were you drawn to it? What do you think it means either for the churches John is writing to or you?
- Ask God to show you something in the passage that you need to apply to your life. Read the passage three times and listen for what that thing is. You may hear it as a voice, but more likely you will resonate in your mind or heart with something you read. How can you apply it to your life?
Eat: Join the conversation.
In person: We gather Sundays at 5 PM. We eat a meal together, followed by a time of conversation and encouragement. No one will call on you. No need to bring anything, but if you are more comfortable with a contribution bring chips, bread, or a side dish. We hope to make you feel welcome! For more about what to expect, click here.
On Zoom: To join us for the conversation log on to Zoom around 5:40: click here for the link.
