Introduction to John

Our pastor has begun, for the summer, a study of the book of John. The plan is to read through the entire book of John as a church and for him to preach on one aspect of the book every week. It is my plan to make comments on the various sections of John as we traverse the book; hopefully supplementing and enhancing your personal study of this gospel.

About the Author and His Book

John, the son of Zebedee was one of Jesus' first disciples; called from his fishing business with Peter in Galilee (Luke 5:10), he remained in Jesus' inner circle with his brother James and throughout Jesus' ministry. John's writing is unique among the New Testament authors in that he wrote a biography of Jesus (The Gospel of John), three epistles (1 John, 2 John and 3 John) and the book of Revelation. Irving Jensen notes the following relationship between all the writings of the New Testament:

1. Luke wrote a gospel, supportive of the other three; and Luke wrote Acts.
2. Paul's credentials are established in Acts.
3. Paul wrote the Pauline epistles, supportive of the general epistles.
4. John wrote three epistles, supportive of the other general epistles.
5. John wrote Revelation.

John's gospel, like that of Matthew, Mark and Luke, is interested in telling the good news of Jesus; however, John's approach is different. John's presentation of Jesus is of Jesus as the Messiah (Hebrew for "anointed one;" the Greek word is Christos, or Christ) and as the Son of God. Much of the gospel relates to Jesus' Jerusalem ministry in what is referred to as the "Book of Signs" wherein Jesus performs signs and wonders to demonstrate His deity and discourses to explain the signs. This is followed by His instructions to the disciples in preparation for life without Him. An examination of the chart below comparing the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke; the word synoptic meaning "to see together") to John shows the clear distinction between John and the other gospel writers. John was writing for the mature church in that he wrote more on the deity of Christ, the meaning of His ministry and recorded the long discourses of Christ given primarily to His disciples. He also records how, some 50 or more years after these events occurred, he could so clearly state the explicit truth:

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26)

In John 20:31 John states that his purpose in writing is "so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that by believing you may have life in His name." It has been said of John that one may find the gospel on every page of the book.

Another Bible Reading Plan?

If you have been reading some of my posts here, you know that I am a proponent of people reading and studying their bibles on a regular basis. I have posted my own Daily Bible Reading Plan (which also appears in the sidebar), 40-Day New Testament readings, 60-Day Old Testament readings, a 90-Day Old Testament plan and regularly have links to the passages I cite on this blog. Additionally, there are links to internet-based bible study resources in the sidebar and it seems that everywhere you turn you can find another on-line bible reading plan which you can use while sitting at your computer. Just now, I "googled" the phrase "daily bible reading plan" and got about 6900 hits.

The problem with most of these is a lack of accountability. Yes, you can do the readings in just a little while as you sit at your computer, but it is easy to become distracted and procrastinate. I have found that any accountability – whether a checklist or answering to someone about my progress – will help me stay on track. That said, I'd like to introduce you to one other online bible reading plan sponsored by the people at Logos Bible Software. The Global Bible Reader is more than simply a bible reading plan. It connects you with a world-wide bible reading community on the same reading plan as you. In the words of Logos.com, "Global Bible Reader helps you stay on track with your daily Bible readings by connecting you to a community of people all following the same reading schedule.


Global Bible Reader presents you with today’s reading, keeps track of your progress, and lets you communicate with everyone else who’s reading with you." Not bad for a free service. To learn more click on the link above or here. You'll have to create a logos.com account and download some free software.

It's that simple.

P.S. Thanks to the folks over at the ESV Bible Blog, I am now aware of two podcasts available for daily listening. The ESV: Every Day in the Word and ESV: Chronological Reading Guide are also available as audio podcasts in iTunes.

Happy New Year!!!

Today is the first day of 2009. This is a day when we all tend to make those so-called "new year's resolutions" which most of us get bored with long before we make a habit of that which we resolved. I'm certain that many of mine will go the way of the Dodo soon enough. Including a resolution to keep up better with this blog than I did last year; we'll see how long that lasts. But there are a couple of resolutions that I think will benefit us all.

First is a resolution to read something from the Scriptures daily. On the right side of this page, you'll find two different colored sidebars. The top one with a maroon background is a little background on the blog, my preferred bible (the English Standard Version, ESV), and a little something on me. Below that is a white sidebar that contains useful links for helping us get into God's word. The first section is the Bible Verse of the Day" powered by BibleGateway.com . Below that, there is a section which links to the ESV Bible Online for a daily reading. I'll try to keep this list up to date with some of the links to past readings in case you miss a day. For periods other than what is shown, I have provided a "click here" link which will take you to a new page showing each month of the year.

Finally, I have found several on-line e-subscriptions that you may find enjoyable. There are many of these services available on the internet, some I subscribe to and others I don't. They come in a variety of formats – devotional, daily scripture readings, interesting quotations, etc. Some will make you stop and think. Others will cause you to remember the good things God has done for you. Still others will teach you something of the Word. I'll try to keep a list of these services current in the sidebar as well under a heading of "e-Devotionals" for lack of a better description. If you have others that you find useful, please comment to this post and leave a link.

I leave you now with the words of Aaron the priest:

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)