QT 4 Oct 17, 1 Jn 1:1-2, Wake up to the truth, the NT stories are true and challenge our view of reality

Wk	Date	Passage	Key Verses(s) [Optional]	Basic Thing(s) Taught	Personal Insight(s) & Application(s)	Prayer Response
5	10/4	1 John 1:1-2:3	1 John 1:1–2 (ESV) — 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—	John cannot be more clear. John says that we saw him with our eyes and we touched him. Jesus Christ was real and the events recorded by John are real. Unlike other religions, we have multiple eyewitnesses to the miracles and words of Jesus. John is almost pleading to his hearers. It is all true. Believe it.	Ever the cynics, we don't believe a lot of what we are told, and believe even more of things that aren't true (because someone suggested it). We are foolish and darkened in our thinking. We have replaced logic with feelings. We argue on the basis of anecdotes and small sample sizes. We look for the things that support our pre-conceived notions of the world. If something does not fit our narrative or meme, it is tossed aside. We are the most foolish of creatures, believing that belief alone is sufficient to draw a conclusion.	Father, I am also susceptible to the idea that things outside of my biblical narrative are not true. Help me to remain open to arguments and to study your scriptures based not on what I want them to say, but what in fact you are saying. Protect me from my sinful self.