PDF version of the lesson notes.

I. The Prologue

• Read 1 John 1:1-4:

  (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, of the Word of life; (2) (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) (3) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (4) And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

• Are there any surprising features to the prologue?
• How does the opening few verses of this letter compare to the openings of Paul, James, and Peter? How is it similar and how is it different? Do you think the differences are important or inconsequential? Read the rest of this entry »

PDF version of the lesson notes.

I. Introduction

• Authorship. I Peter presents itself as written by Peter, an apostle (I Peter 1:1). The letter was accepted as authentic in the 2nd century AD. The first probable citation is from Polycarp’s letter to the Phillipians which was written around 130 CE.[1] “It is first cited explicitly as a Petrine writing by Irenaeus (in the late second century), and therefore after its use became widespread.”[2] Read the rest of this entry »

PDF version of the lesson notes.

I. Introduction

• Today, we move to the epistle of James. This epistle clearly occupies a special place in LDS discourse because of James 1:5. Before we narrow in on specific parts of the letter I want to entertain some big picture questions: Read the rest of this entry »

PDF version of the lesson notes.

I. The Pastoral Epistles

• The three letters of Paul addressed to Timothy and Titus have been referred to as the Pastoral Epistles since the 18th century.[1] The grouping is pretty natural given the overlap and similarities and themes of the three letters. Read the rest of this entry »