The Gospel of John: Bible Study Guide

This workbook is a companion to the audio talk “John: Revealing Christ’s Identity.”

The Gospel of John is unique. Whereas the three synoptic Gospels focus on what Jesus says and does, John’s Gospel reveals a more spiritual message that points to Jesus’ identity as the Christ. This identity is unveiled through seven “I am” statements and seven signs or miracles. And it is especially apparent in Chapter 14, where Jesus prophesies that “another Comforter”—“the Spirit of truth”—would come and would “abide with you for ever.”

Each chapter has between four and six thoughtful questions that reveal key themes. The questions are designed to prompt readers to think of new ways they might view such familiar material.

--- More about John:

Since the second century, many in the early Church assumed that the author of the Gospel and these three letters were the same.  If we focus on what the letters themselves say, the Gospel of John is anonymous, as is this First Letter of John.  However, the second and third letters identify the author as “The Elder” (from the Greek term, presbyteros).  Through the centuries, most scholars have agreed that the same author probably wrote these three letters – the Elder – and this could also be the author of the Gospel. 

There is a growing agreement that even though many thought the author of the Gospel of John was the disciple who was the son of Zebedee, “the disciple whom Jesus loved,”  this has been debated since the second century and remains a topic of debate.   What scholars do discuss is that attribution of a book to a disciple was an ancient practice intended to give the Gospel and letters their apostolic authority.

The same is true for these three letters of John.  Perhaps they are written by not only the same individual but the same person who wrote the Gospel.  But I love the conclusion the New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary came to about the authorship issue of these letters: 

…There is no hard evidence to support the composition of 1, 2, or 3 John by John the apostle and son of Zebedee^[1] so the authorship of the Johannine letters remains a mystery.  If “the elder” did not consider the verification of his identity crucical for his message’s validity, then neither need we.”

So we’ll refer to this author as “John”, in keeping with 2000 years of tradition even though we’re not entirely sure who penned these. 

The workbook is designed to be used individually or by Bible study groups.

Group Bible Study

One of the most meaningful activities of many adults is joining friends and neighbors in Bible Study fellowship. BibleRoads workbooks are intended for exactly this kind of thoughtful interaction and exchange as you explore the Scriptures together.

If you and your friends form a Bible study group with six or more members, each will receive a $5 savings per workbook. Please contact us at this link to receive your discount coupon code (after providing a list of the six or more members). Individuals will order their own workbooks, have the workbooks shipped to their individual addresses, and pay whatever individual postage applies.