WEEK 1: We don't do second hand Jesus.

INTRO

Text: 1 John 1:1–4

Theme: The message of Jesus is not secondhand—it’s personal and meant to be shared.

Big Truth: Jesus isn’t a rumor or a theory—He’s real, and we’re invited into real fellowship with Him.

WEEKLY INTRO:

Who was John writing to? Why does this letter matter now?

John was likely writing to believers who were confused by competing voices about Jesus—some of them claiming Jesus wasn’t really human or that you needed secret knowledge to know God. Sound familiar? In a world full of opinions, watered-down theology, and TikTok preachers, 1 John calls us back to what’s solid: Jesus is real. The gospel is real. And your relationship with Him is supposed to be, too.

This isn’t secondhand faith. It’s not living off of your parents’ faith.

It’s personal, relational, and meant to be shared.

This week, we’re looking at the very start of the letter—a powerful reminder that we don’t follow a theory. We follow someone the apostles heard, saw, and touched with their own hands.

Note: What is an apostle?

An apostle is someone who was sent out by Jesus with authority to teach, lead, and spread the gospel. In the New Testament, the word “apostle” usually refers to the original disciples (like Peter and John) and Paul, who were chosen and sent directly by Jesus.

They weren’t just messengers—they had firsthand experience with Jesus, were eyewitnesses to His resurrection, and played a key role in building the early church. Think of apostles as the original church planters and gospel carriers.

Now that you have this background info, you can open up Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 throughout your week.