1 John 1-3. That Ye May Have Fellowship with Us and with God

Read 1 John 1:1–4. Describe in writing John’s desire for those he wrote to.

John had experienced some pretty amazing things in regard to his relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He wanted to share those experiences and some insight about how to have those experiences for yourself. He also shared a promise that if we fellowshipped with the saints and with God our joy would be full. As we come closer to God and follow His commandments we do find joy, even during trial.

Study the following scripture references and then list what these verses teach about how we can come to know God better and have greater joy and fellowship with God:

·         1 John 1:8–10 – Recognize and repent of our sins

·         1 John 2:3–6 – Keep the commandments and follow the example of the Savior

·         1 John 2:9–11; 3:11–19 – We should love our brother, Love one another, not only in word but in the deeds we do. Serve others and care for those who need it.

·         1 John 2:15–17 – Live in the world, but not of the world. Keep our focus on the things of God, not things of the world.

·         1 John 2:20–21, 27 – Listen to the spirit that has been given to us and teach others what we know.

·         1 John 3:4–6 – Accept the Atonement in your life and become free from sin.

Choose one of the ways to have greater joy and fellowship with God as you described it above, and write a paragraph explaining how you can better implement those principles in your life.

Live in the world, but not of the world—I think this whole semester has been a way for me to learn how to focus first on the things of God and then to improve my life in more temporal ways. I know that God wants me to be successful in all I do. Successful in sharing the gospel with others, successful as a mother in Zion, successful as a daughter of God, successful in developing my talents, but also successful in helping to provide for my family, and successful in being able to give service to others. I've had to overcome the false assumption that to be humble is to be poor, and that people who are successful and have money are bad. A wise friend taught me that there are good people and bad people, who do you want to have the money? The good people of course. My dreams include a comfortable home for my family and letting them experience different cultures around the world through travel, but they also include teaching them to serve others and to be generous with our time and our resources to benefit those in need. That might mean the high school band that needs new uniforms, or going on a humanitarian trip to Haiti to help build water lines, or donating generously to the fast offering fund, or the humanitarian fund of the church. I can’t do these things or teach my kids how to do those if we are living pay check to pay check just to meet our basic needs. As I become closer to my Heavenly Father, I can see more clearly the path He would have me follow. Then I have to exercise my faith in Him, and work as hard as I can to do the things I’m guided to do. I think this is what it means to live in the world, but not of the world.