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James and 1, 2, and 3 John

  1. Lesson One
    Overview of James
    18 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  2. Lesson Two
    James and Scripture
    19 Activities
  3. Lesson Three
    1 John
    21 Activities
  4. Lesson Four
    2 and 3 John
    21 Activities
  5. Lesson Five
    Proto-Gnosticism
    13 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

Participants 14

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James and 1, 2, and 3 John 1 John Behind | John’s “Children”
Lesson 3, Activity 16

Behind | John’s “Children”

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At the time of the writing of these letters, John is an old man. He’s outlived Jesus by roughly sixty years, and the other disciples have been systematically executed for their faith. As the last surviving disciple and, according to tradition, the only one not to have been martyred, John has a unique place in the church and an almost grandfatherly role in the lives of younger believers. This is apparent throughout 1 John, especially in his tone and in the way he addresses his audience. Phrases like “young people,” “dear children” and “fathers” are common throughout the letter:

I am writing to you, dear children,
    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, dear children,
    because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong. 
1 John 2:12-14 NIV

Similarly, the author of 2 John and 3 John refers to himself as “The elder,” suggesting not only an older individual but also one with a singular authority or identity within the “family” of believers.