1.Hope that was seen

2.Hope that was touched

3.Hope we can know

“

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started

1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. What’s the first thing you’re going to do once the “shelter in place” order is lifted?

Going Deeper

3. The Apostle John speaks “concerning the word of life”(v. 1). But he says this “word” is something that can be heard, seen, and touched. What is John trying to communicate about the nature of the Christian message (and about our hope as believers)?
4. The resurrection accounts are filled with incidental details (see Luke 24:42; John 20:4, 7, 15; 21:11). Why is this significant? How does this cut against the idea that these accounts are mythological (or, that the gospel writers intended them to be understood as such; see also 1 Corinthians 15:1-8)?
5. John testifies that he touched Jesus with his hands (v. 1). Why is it significant that Jesus’ disciples touched him afterhis resurrection (see Luke 23:39-40; John 20:27)? What does this indicate about the nature of eternal life (see Romans 8:18-25)? How does this change the way we look at our bodies, and the created order?
6. John says that eternal life, “was with the Father and was made manifest to us”(1 John 1:2). How is “eternal life” as much about a quality of life as it is a quantity of life? What, according to Jesus, is eternal life (see John 17:3)?

Application

7. If you haven’t yet decided to follow Christ, what is currently keeping you from making this decision? Is it a content issue (you don't agree with certain aspects of the Christian faith), a coherence issue (you have an objection to the Christian faith that you can't resolve), or a cost issue (you believe that the decision to follow Christ will cost you something dear)?[1]If this issue was resolved, would you be more willing to embrace Christ as your Lord? Discuss this issue with a Christian friend.
8. What’s one thing you can do this week to apply this passage?


[1]This question adapted from https://www.redeemer.com/ skeptics_welcome/ how_can_i_know_god/.