About the Gospel of John | Religious Education

Date Written: Circa 85-90 A.D.

Written To: The Gospel of John was written primarily to new believers and seekers.

Landscape of the Gospel of John:

John wrote the Gospel sometime after 70 A.D. and the destruction of Jerusalem, but prior to his exile on the island of Patmos. It was most likely written from Ephesus. Settings in the book include Bethany, Galilee, Capernaum, Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria.

Themes in the Gospel of John:

The predominant theme in the book of John is the revelation of God to man through his living illustration—Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. The opening verses beautifully describe Jesus as the Word. He is God revealed to man—the expression of God—so that we might see him and believe. Through this Gospel we witness the everlasting power and nature of the Creator God, offering eternal life to us through his Son, Jesus Christ. In every chapter, Christ's deity is unveiled. The eight miracles recorded by John reveal his divine power and love. They are signs that inspire us to trust and believe in him.

The Holy Spirit is a theme in John's Gospel as well. We are drawn to faith in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit; our belief is established through the indwelling, guiding, counseling, comforting presence of the Holy Spirit; and through the power of the Holy Spirit in us, the life of Christ is multiplied to others who believe.

Key Characters in the Gospel of John: Jesus, John the Baptist, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary, Martha and Lazarus, the disciples, Pilate and Mary Magdalene.

Key Verses: 1) John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (NIV)

2) John 20:30-31
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (NIV)

Outline of the Gospel of John:

The Birth and Preparation of Jesus the Son of God - John 1:1-2:11
The Message and Ministry of Jesus the Son of God - John 2:12-12:50
The Death and Resurrection of Jesus the Son of God - John 13:1-21:25

http://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/qt/gospeljohnintro.htm

Date Written: Circa 85-90 A.D.

Written To: The Gospel of John was written primarily to new believers and seekers.

Landscape of the Gospel of John:

John wrote the Gospel sometime after 70 A.D. and the destruction of Jerusalem, but prior to his exile on the island of Patmos. It was most likely written from Ephesus. Settings in the book include Bethany, Galilee, Capernaum, Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria.

Themes in the Gospel of John:

Key Characters in the Gospel of John: Jesus, John the Baptist, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary, Martha and Lazarus, the disciples, Pilate and Mary Magdalene.

Key Verses: 1) John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (NIV)

Outline of the Gospel of John:

The Birth and Preparation of Jesus the Son of God - John 1:1-2:11

The Message and Ministry of Jesus the Son of God - John 2:12-12:50

The Death and Resurrection of Jesus the Son of God - John 13:1-21:25

Key Verses: 1) John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (NIV)