Reading Through The Bible - 1 JOHN

Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.

1st JOHN  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

23rd book of the NT 

62nd book of the Bible

It starts with the eternal one - Jesus Christ

  in 1 John ch.1 v 1-3

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life 

2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us 

3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 

and quickly takes us to the assurance of Salvation in Jesus by verse 9 of that first chapter

What is it?

The Book of 1 JOHN is one of the EPISTLES in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.

How Long is it?

It has 5 chapters.

When was it Written?

It was written between 90 & 95 AD

Who Wrote it?

John the beloved disciple of Jesus

The name of the letter tells us the writer.

Other letters in the bible are named to show who the recipients of the letters were specifically intended to be but these were letters written by John son of Zebedee and brother of James.

one of the three disciples who Jesus often took with him apart from the others. 

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"John wanted people to know that Love is most important.  Love comes from God.  He also wanted people to know that it is important not to listen to false teachers."  

 

Who was it Written to?

It was a general letter written to all believers not just those from one nation or city

What is it normally well-known for?

Many of the verses about love are widely quoted and memorized such as

verse 15 of chapter 2

 

verse 1 of chapter 3

verse 18 of chapter 3

verse 8 of chapter 4

Why was it Written? 

It was written to encourage and remind the believers of what they have in Jesus and to recognise false teachers.

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"John writes a letter to Christians about keeping Jesus’ commands, loving one another, and important things they should know.

1. So that he and the church may have joy (1 Jn 1:4)
2. So that they would not sin (1 Jn 2:1)
3. Because their sins are forgiven (1 Jn 2:12)
4. Because they know God the Father (1 Jn 2:13)
5. Because they know Jesus (1 Jn 2:13)
6. Because they have overcome the evil one (1 Jn 2:13–14)
7. Because they are strong (1 Jn 2:14)
8. Because the word of God abides in them (1 Jn 2:14)
9. Because they know the truth (1 Jn 2:14)
10. Because no lie or false teaching can come from the truth (1 Jn 2:21)
11. Because some would try to deceive them (1 Jn 2:26)
12. So that they would know they have eternal life (1 Jn 5:13)"

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"1 John was written to combat false teachings called "Gnosticism".  Gnostics taught that Jesus was a spirit and never really had a body and other errors."

Which other Epistle teaches about Gnosticism?

Colossians

see Reading Through the Bible - Colossians

Which other books of the Bible is this linked to? 

John wrote three epistles of which this is the first and is followed by 2nd John and 3rd John

How does it end?

With evidence of how God shows His love for us in chapter 5 v 11

 

and encouragement in 

chapter 5 v 14

Quick outline of 1 John

Disclaimer: this may be the toughest book of the Bible to outline. With all John’s reasons to write, scholars have a hard time forming an outline from John’s letter. But the central focus of First John seems to be distinguishing the false teachers from children of God, so here’s my take:

1. The children of God keep His commands (1 Jn 1–3)
2. The Spirit of God affirms Jesus’ first coming (1 Jn 4:1–6) 
3. The children of God love one another (1 Jn 4:7–21) 
4. Things the child of God can know (1 Jn 5)

OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE 

Reading Through The Bible - Ephesians

Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.

Ephesians  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

10th book of the NT 

49th book of the Bible

It starts with a reminder about the redemption & forgiveness we have in Jesus and His grace in

  chapter 1 v 7

What is it?

The Book of Ephesians is one of the Epistles in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.

How Long is it?

It has 6 chapters.

When was it Written?

It is generally thought to have been written between 60 & 62 AD.

Who Wrote it?

Apostle Paul

Chapter 1 v 1 tells us the answer straight away 

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,"

Who was it Written to?

It was written to the church at Ephesus as we see in

ch. 1 v 1

 "To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus"

Why was it Written? 

Paul had visited Ephesus twice and this letter was written while he was in Prison to encourage the Christians he had met there and the others in the church.  

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Paul writes to the church at Ephesus about how to walk in grace, peace, and love."

 

What is the main theme? 

It focuses on being called by Grace 

and how to walk in the Faith

The Overview Bible  tells us the following:

"Paul wrote Ephesians to accomplish two things:

1. Describe the Christian’s calling. The first half of the letter focuses on the Ephesians’ calling. They were chosen by God, sealed with His Spirit, and saved by His grace. 
2. Prescribe the Christian’s walk. The second half teaches how to “walk in a manner worthy” of the Christian’s calling (Eph 4:1). Paul outlines what the Christian walk looks like in various facets of life."

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"Paul encouraged the believers telling them they were the adopted sons of God ....  picked before the foundation of the world."

"Paul encouraged the believers to walk in a manner worthy of their calling."

What 2 special relationships does Paul teach about in Ephesians?

Parents & Children.

Husbands and wives.

What very well-known passage in included in this Book?

The Christian Armour in Chapter 6 v 10 - 18

This is where Paul tells the believers to know their enemy and how to stand against him.

This ends with the order to Pray continually in

 verse 18

How does it end?

It ends with the announcement that Paul has sent Tychicus to comfort them and tell them all the news of Paul.

and then a Blessing in ch. 6 v 23-24

23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  

24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

 

Quick outline of Ephesians

1. Our calling in Christ (Eph 1–3)
   • Identity in Christ (Eph 1)
   • Grace in Christ (Eph 2:1–10)
   • Peace in Christ (Eph 2:11–22)
   • Paul’s calling (Eph 3:1–13)
   • Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians (Eph 3:14–21)
2. Our walk in Christ (Eph 4–6)
   • Walk in unity (Eph 4:1–16)
   • Walk differently from the world (Eph 4:17–31)
   • Walk carefully (Eph 5:1–21)
   • Walk in love (Eph 5:22–6:9)
   • Stand firm in the armour of God (Eph 6:10–24)

OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE 

Reading Through The Bible - GALATIANS

Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.

GALATIANS  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLES

9th book of the NT 

48th book of the Bible

It starts with a blessing and reminder of salvation through Jesus in chapter 1 verses 3-5

I love the blessings pronounced in God's Word and we can see in the Epistles that they form lovely greetings.

What is it?

The Book of Galatians is one of the Epistles in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.

How Long is it?

It has 6 chapters.

When was it Written?

It is generally thought to have been written between 49 & 50 AD.

Who Wrote it?

The Apostle Paul

The first 2 verses tells us who it was from 

"1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)," 

2 and all the brethren who are with me,"

Who was it Written to?

Verse 2 tells us who it was written to 

2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia "

Why was it Written? 

It was written because Paul wanted to clarify certain things for the Galatian Christians. 

 

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Paul hears that the Galatian churches have been led to think that salvation comes from the law of Moses, and writes a (rather heated) letter telling them where the false teachers have it wrong.."

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"The Galatians were starting to say Gentiles must follow the Jewish laws in order to be saved. It was confusing the people and putting a burden on them that was unnecessary. Paul wanted to straighten that out."

What did Paul want to explain about himself?

He wanted to talk about himself as an Apostle along with the other Apostles.

About what Christ's crucifixion meant to him personally and where his faith was found as we see in chapter 2 v 20

What did Paul want the Galatians to know about Christianity?

He wanted them to know exactly where their faith had to be focused - not on law and instructions but in Christ as we partly see in  chapter 3 v 26

What is the Book of Galatians most well-known for? 

It contains the passage about the Fruit of the Spirit in chapter 5 verses 22 - 23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

How does it end?

With an instruction to continue to do good deeds

 in chapter 6 v 9

 

and

bringing their attention back again to the cross

 in chapter 6 v 9

OUTLINE of GALATIANS

The Overview Bible  gives us the following

1. The gospel under attack in Galatia (Ga 1:1–10)
2. History of the Law vs. grace debate (Ga 1:11–2:21)
3. Salvation via faith vs. salvation via works (Ga 3)
4. Slavery vs. sons and heirs of God (Ga 4)
5. The sinful flesh vs. the Holy Spirit (Ga 5)
6. How to do good in Christian community (Ga 6)

OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE