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True Gospel Institute
Scripture Alone · Christ Alone
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General Epistles: James, Peter, John, and Jude

A thorough, chapter-by-chapter exposition of the seven General Epistles - James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude. These letters, more directly practical and pastoral than Paul's systematic argumentation, address genuine faith proven by works, suffering and holy living under persecution, false teachers, the certainty of Christ's return, assurance of salvation, love and truth in the community, and contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.

True Gospel Canada 22 weeks Text
Start Week 1

Learning Objectives

  • Trace the argument of James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, and Jude chapter by chapter
  • Understand James's teaching on genuine faith proven by works
  • Understand Peter's teaching on suffering, holy living, and false teachers
  • Understand John's teaching on assurance of salvation and combating early doctrinal error
  • Understand Jude's call to contend earnestly for the faith
  • Identify common pastoral themes running across all seven letters

Syllabus

Overview

This course walks through all seven General Epistles, chapter by chapter: James (5 chapters), 1 Peter (5 chapters), 2 Peter (3 chapters), 1 John (5 chapters), 2 John, 3 John, and Jude (one chapter each), tracing each letter's own practical, pastoral argument.

Reading Plan

Week 1: Introduction to the General Epistles. Weeks 2-6: James 1-5. Weeks 7-11: 1 Peter 1-5. Weeks 12-14: 2 Peter 1-3. Weeks 15-19: 1 John 1-5. Week 20: 2 John. Week 21: 3 John. Week 22: Jude. Week 23: Concluding synthesis.

Required Materials

A personal Bible in one of the following standard translations: ESV, NIV, NASB 1995, CSB, LSB, or NLT; a notebook for tracing each letter's argument chapter by chapter.

Grading & Completion

Assessment focuses on engagement with the text of each letter itself and demonstration of comprehension. Students complete weekly reading assignments and a short weekly quiz covering that week's chapter. A final exam covering all seven letters is available once every week has been passed.

Course Outcomes

  • Upon completion, students will be able to explain each of the seven General Epistles chapter by chapter, in its own logical sequence
  • Upon completion, students will be able to articulate James's teaching on faith and works with biblical precision
  • Upon completion, students will be able to explain John's tests of genuine assurance from 1 John
  • Upon completion, students will be able to identify shared pastoral concerns - suffering, false teaching, perseverance - running across these seven letters

Weekly Lessons

  1. Wk 1 Introduction to the General Epistles
  2. Wk 2 James 1: Trials, Temptation, and Doers of the Word
  3. Wk 3 James 2: No Favoritism, and Faith Without Works Is Dead
  4. Wk 4 James 3: Taming the Tongue, and Two Kinds of Wisdom
  5. Wk 5 James 4: Friendship With the World, and Genuine Humility Before God
  6. Wk 6 James 5: Warning to the Rich, Patience, and the Prayer of Faith
  7. Wk 7 1 Peter 1: A Living Hope Through Suffering
  8. Wk 8 1 Peter 2: Living Stones, a Royal Priesthood, and Christ's Example in Suffering
  9. Wk 9 1 Peter 3: Household Relationships, Suffering for Righteousness, and Christ's Victory
  10. Wk 10 1 Peter 4: Suffering and the End of All Things
  11. Wk 11 1 Peter 5: Elders, Humility, and Final Exhortations
  12. Wk 12 2 Peter 1: Called to Glory and Virtue, and the Certainty of Scripture
  13. Wk 13 2 Peter 2: False Teachers and Their Judgment
  14. Wk 14 2 Peter 3: The Day of the Lord and Final Exhortations
  15. Wk 15 1 John 1: Light, Darkness, and Fellowship With God
  16. Wk 16 1 John 2: Knowing Christ, Overcoming the World, and Testing the Spirits
  17. Wk 17 1 John 3: God's Children, Victory Over Sin, and Love's True Test
  18. Wk 18 1 John 4: God is Love, Testing the Spirits, and Perfect Love
  19. Wk 19 1 John 5: Believing in the Son, Overcoming the World, and Assurance of Eternal Life
  20. Wk 20 2 John: Truth, Love, and Guarding Against Deceivers
  21. Wk 21 3 John: Hospitality, Truth, and Walking in Love
  22. Wk 22 Jude: Contending for the Faith Against False Teachers

Midterm & Final Exams

Final Exam: Final Quiz 45 pts

The Final Exam stays locked until every week above is passed.