When people walk away from Jesus
- Thad DeBuhr
- 5 days ago
- 14 min read
Introduction to 1 John
Imagine being part of a small group of believers for years.
You have studied the Bible together. Shared meals together. Prayed for one another through difficult seasons. You have watched each other's children grow up. You have carried one another through grief, sickness, and hardship.
Then things begin to change.
One family stops showing up.
Another person starts saying they still believe in God but no longer think following Jesus needs to be taken so seriously.
Someone else begins talking about spirituality, but not about Jesus.
Then one of the most respected people in the group walks away completely.
Not a casual attendee.
Not someone on the fringe.
Someone everyone trusted.
Now the people who remain start asking questions.
"Did they discover something we missed?"
"Are we taking this too seriously?"
"Maybe we're the ones who are wrong."
"Maybe we should stop standing out and just blend in."
That kind of situation creates confusion, doubt, and uncertainty.
That is the kind of situation behind the book of 1 John.
John is writing to believers who have watched people leave. He is writing to people who are wondering if they should keep holding on to Jesus when others are letting go.
His answer is simple:
Stay with Jesus.
Stay with what you heard from the beginning.
Don't let the choices of others pull you away from the truth.
That message is just as important today as it was when John first wrote this letter.
As you go through the study guide, I would suggest reading or listening to the Bible passages in two different bible translations from this list: NIV, NLT, NASB, ESV, NKJV
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Setting the scene:
Before we jump into the details of 1 John, it helps to understand where this letter fits in history. Most scholars believe John wrote this letter sometime around A.D. 85-95.
This places it near the end of the first century.
The Roman Empire ruled the known world.
The temple in Jerusalem had already been destroyed by Rome in A.D. 70.
Many Jewish believers had been scattered throughout the empire.
Christianity was growing, but following Jesus was becoming increasingly difficult.
John was likely living in or around Ephesus, a large city located on the western coast of modern-day Turkey.
Ephesus was one of the most important cities in the Roman world.
It was wealthy.
It was influential.
It was deeply religious.
The city was famous for the massive Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (Acts 19:23-41).
People from all over the empire came there to worship, trade, and do business.
This created constant pressure for Christians.
If you followed Jesus, you often found yourself at odds with the culture around you.
At the same time, pressure was coming from another direction. Some Jews who had rejected Jesus viewed Christians as dangerous and misleading.
As a result, many believers found themselves caught between two worlds.
The pressure to compromise was real.
The pressure to fit in was real.
The pressure to stop standing out was real.
But perhaps the greatest challenge facing John's churches was not pressure from outside.
It was confusion from inside.
John tells us:
"They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us." (1 John 2:19)
Some people who had once been part of the Christian community had left.
We are not told exactly why. Some scholars believe they were influenced by early forms of false teaching that later became known as Gnosticism. These teachers often separated spiritual life from everyday life. They claimed to have special knowledge while minimizing sin, obedience, and even the physical reality of Jesus.
Craig Keener notes that John's repeated emphasis on Jesus coming "in the flesh" suggests that some people were denying or distorting who Jesus really was.
Whatever the exact details, the result was the same.
People were leaving.
Relationships were breaking.
Questions were growing.
Faithful believers were wondering what to do.
Into that confusion, John writes as a pastor.
Not as a debater.
Not as a politician.
Not as a celebrity.
As a shepherd who loves his people.
N.T. Wright points out that John is not simply trying to win an argument. He is trying to reassure believers that they have not missed the truth.
The real Jesus is still the real Jesus.
The gospel has not changed.
The path forward is not to chase something new.
The path forward is to remain faithful.
Summary of the Main Teaching
1. Who Wrote 1 John?
Unlike many New Testament letters, 1 John never identifies its author by name.
But from the earliest generations of Christianity, believers connected this letter to John the Apostle.
This is the same John who wrote the Gospel of John.
The same John who was part of Jesus' inner circle.
The same John who was present at the cross (John 19:26-27).
The same John who outran Peter to the empty tomb (John 20:2-8).
The same John who spent years helping lead the early church.
John begins his letter by reminding readers that he was an eyewitness.
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched..." (1 John 1:1)
Notice how physical this language is.
He heard Jesus.
He saw Jesus.
He touched Jesus.
John is establishing credibility.
He is saying:
"I am not giving you secondhand information."
"I am not passing along rumors."
"I personally knew Him."
This becomes important because some people were spreading distorted ideas about Jesus.
John responds by pointing believers back to the Jesus he personally knew.
This is one reason 1 John feels so personal.
It is not a textbook.
It is not a theological lecture.
It is an eyewitness reminding people of what is true.
2. Who Was John Writing To?
Unlike Paul's letters, 1 John does not mention a specific church. Most scholars believe it was written to multiple churches in the region around Ephesus. These believers likely met in homes. There were no church buildings like we think of today. A typical gathering might include twenty or thirty people sharing a meal, praying together, singing, and listening to Scripture read aloud.
John addresses them with family language:
"My dear children" (1 John 2:1)
"Beloved" (1 John 4:7)
This tells us something about John's relationship with them.
He sees himself as a spiritual father.
These are not strangers.
These are people he deeply cares about.
And they are hurting.
Some people have left.
Some are confused.
Some are wondering whether they should stay faithful.
John writes to encourage them to remain rooted in Christ.
3. Why Did John Write This Letter?
John actually gives several reasons throughout the letter.
First, he wants believers to experience fellowship.
"We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us." (1 John 1:3)
The word fellowship means shared life.
John wants believers connected to God and connected to one another.
Second, he wants believers to experience joy.
"We write this to make our joy complete." (1 John 1:4)
The Christian life is not supposed to be driven by fear.
It is meant to produce deep joy rooted in Jesus.
Third, he wants believers to resist sin.
"I write this to you so that you will not sin." (1 John 2:1)
John knows believers still struggle.
But he wants them to walk honestly in the light.
Fourth, he wants believers protected from deception.
"I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray." (1 John 2:26)
False teaching was creating confusion.
John wants clarity.
Finally, he wants believers to have assurance.
"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13)
Notice that word "know."
John uses it repeatedly.
He wants believers to live with confidence, not constant uncertainty.
4. How Would They Have Received This Letter?
Most believers did not own personal copies of Scripture. A trusted messenger likely carried the letter from church to church. When believers gathered, someone would stand and read the entire letter out loud.
Imagine sitting in a crowded room.
The smell of food is still in the air.
People are talking quietly.
Some are discouraged.
Some are confused.
Some are wondering if they should keep following Jesus.
Then the reading begins.
An elderly apostle who personally knew Jesus is speaking directly to them.
Not through social media.
Not through a podcast.
Not through a video.
Through a letter read aloud among friends.
That would have been powerful. And it helps explain why John's writing feels so personal.
He is not merely sharing information. He is encouraging people he loves.
5. Why This Matters Today
Many of the challenges facing John's readers still exist today.
People still walk away from faith.
People still reshape Jesus into whatever version they prefer.
People still want spirituality without obedience.
People still want community without commitment.
People still struggle when someone they trusted abandons the faith.
That is why 1 John remains so relevant.
John reminds us that our confidence is not built on what other people do.
It is built on Jesus.
People may leave.
Culture may change.
Opinions may shift.
But Jesus remains the same.
That is where John wants believers to anchor their lives.
Not in trends.
Not in personalities.
Not in popularity.
In Christ.
And that is where our study of 1 John begins.
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Why We Look at "Wrong" and "Right" Applications
Whenever we study the Bible, we want to understand not only what it says, but also what it means and how it applies.
That sounds simple, but it is easy to get off track.
Sometimes we approach a passage with our minds already made up. We look for verses that support our opinions, traditions, political views, or denominational positions. Instead of allowing Scripture to shape us, we try to shape Scripture to fit what we already believe.
That is especially important when studying a letter like 1 John.
Many people come to 1 John looking for ammunition for debates about salvation, assurance, obedience, sin, church attendance, or who is a "real Christian."
But John's goal is not to help us win arguments.
His goal is to help believers stay faithful to Jesus.
He is writing to reassure Christians who have been shaken by false teaching and by watching people leave the faith community.
As we study this letter, we want to let John speak for himself.
We want to hear what his original audience would have heard.
We want to understand why he wrote these words before we decide how they apply to us.
That approach helps us avoid confusion and gives us the best chance of hearing God's voice through His Word.
❌ APPLYING IT WRONG
Here are some common ways people can misapply the introduction and overall message of 1 John.
1. Using 1 John as a Weapon Against Other Christians
Some people read 1 John and immediately start thinking about everyone else.
They make lists of people they think are not real Christians. They use the letter to judge others instead of examining their own hearts.
John's first goal is not to help us point fingers.
His goal is to help believers walk in truth, love, and confidence.
Before asking, "Who isn't a real Christian?" we should ask:
"What is John teaching me about following Jesus?"
2. Assuming Every Person Who Leaves Church Has Abandoned Jesus
John tells us some people "went out from us" (1 John 2:19). Some readers take that statement and apply it to every person who leaves a church, denomination, Bible study, or ministry.
But that goes beyond what John is saying.
Sometimes people leave unhealthy churches.
Sometimes people move away.
Sometimes people change congregations.
John is addressing people who were abandoning the apostolic message about Jesus and leading others away from it.
We should be careful not to use his words in ways he never intended.
3. Turning Assurance into Fear
One of John's goals is assurance.
He says:
"I write these things to you... so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13)
Yet some people read 1 John and become trapped in constant fear.
They begin questioning every thought, every mistake, and every struggle.
They live with anxiety instead of confidence.
That is the opposite of what John intended.
John is not trying to make sincere believers live in fear.
He is helping them find confidence in Christ.
4. Ignoring the Historical Situation
Sometimes readers act as though John wrote directly to modern Christians without any historical context.
But he didn't.
He wrote to real people in real churches facing real problems.
If we ignore their situation, we risk misunderstanding his message.
The best application begins with understanding the original audience first.
✅ Applying it the Right Way:
1. Read 1 John as a Pastoral Letter
John is not writing as a lawyer building a case. He is writing as a shepherd caring for his flock.
Notice how often he says:
"My dear children..."
"Beloved..."
"Dear friends..."
This is the language of affection.
As you read 1 John, imagine sitting in a house church hearing a trusted spiritual father speak words of encouragement.
That changes how the letter feels.
2. Let John's Main Concern Become Your Main Concern
John's concern is not winning arguments. His concern is helping believers remain faithful to Jesus.
As you study this letter, keep asking:
How does this passage help me remain faithful?
How does it help me walk in truth?
How does it help me love others?
How does it help me stay connected to Jesus?
Those questions keep us focused on John's purpose.
3. Remember the Pressure They Faced
Following Jesus in the first century was costly.
Roman culture pushed people toward emperor worship.
Jewish communities often rejected believers who followed Jesus.
Friends and family could create enormous pressure.
Many believers felt isolated.
That helps us understand why John's encouragement mattered so much.
His readers needed reassurance.
Many Christians today feel similar pressures. The names have changed, but the challenge remains.
The pressure to fit in.
The pressure to compromise.
The pressure to stop standing out.
John reminds believers to remain faithful even when faithfulness is costly.
4. Anchor Your Faith in Jesus, Not People
One of the biggest lessons from the introduction to 1 John is this:
People may disappoint you.
Leaders may disappoint you.
Friends may disappoint you.
Churches may disappoint you.
But Jesus remains faithful.
The believers John wrote to had watched people leave.
John does not tell them to put their trust in better leaders.
He points them back to Christ.
That remains the right application today.
Questions to Chew on and Discuss:
These questions are designed to help you personally dig deeper into the passage and help guide your discussions in your Journey Groups and Me & 3 small groups.
THE FACTS — What Does the Passage Say?
Who is traditionally believed to have written 1 John, and what evidence inside the letter supports that conclusion?
What clues suggest that John's audience had experienced division or people leaving the Christian community?
What reasons does John give for writing this letter (1 John 1:3-4, 2:1, 2:26, 5:13)?
THE MEANING — What Does It Mean?
Why do you think John spends so much time emphasizing that he personally saw, heard, and touched Jesus?
How might the departure of some believers have affected the confidence of those who remained?
Why is assurance such an important theme throughout 1 John?
THE HEART — What Am I Hearing?
Have you ever felt shaken because someone you respected walked away from Jesus or abandoned their faith?
What part of John's message speaks most directly to your current season of life?
Are there places where your confidence has become rooted in people rather than in Christ?
THE HANDS — What Will I Do?
What is one practical way you can remain rooted in Jesus when others around you are drifting away?
How can you encourage another believer who may be struggling with doubt or discouragement?
As we begin studying 1 John, what attitude or posture do you want to bring to this journey through the letter?
Journey Group OR ME & 3 Small Group Discussion Starters:
Whether you're helping facilitate a small group, talking about this passage one-on-one with a friend, or even just need a topic to guide the conversation at the dinner table, these ideas can help start a good group conversation before you dive into the passage and questions in this study guide.
Option 1
Think about a time when someone you respected changed direction spiritually or walked away from their faith.
How did that affect you?
Did it strengthen your faith, weaken your faith, or cause you to ask new questions?
Option 2
John's audience was asking questions like:
"Did they discover something we missed?"
"Are we taking this too seriously?"
"Maybe we're the ones who are wrong."
Have you ever wrestled with thoughts like these?
How does John's introduction help answer those concerns?
🧩 SUM IT UP
The book of 1 John was written by an aging apostle who deeply loved the people he served.
Some believers had left the Christian community.
False teaching was creating confusion.
Faithful Christians were wondering whether they should keep holding on to Jesus.
John writes to reassure them. He reminds them that the gospel has not changed.
Jesus is still the Son of God.
Jesus is still the source of life.
Jesus is still worth following.
Throughout this letter, John will help believers tell the difference between real faith and empty claims. But his goal is not to create fear. His goal is confidence.
His message is simple:
Stay with Jesus.
Stay in the truth.
Walk in the light.
Love one another.
Don't let the choices of others determine your faithfulness.
Anchor your life in Christ.
That was the message John's readers needed to hear.
And it is still the message believers need today.
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