The General Epistles are a collection of seven letters that were intended to be circulated among all the early churches. They were not sent to any one specific church and, with the exception of 2 and 3 John, do not address individuals by name. Their subject matter is important enough that the authors wanted all the churches to be informed on these matters. JAMES: One of the earliest books of the New Testament was written by James, the half-brother of Jesus, who was the pastor of the church in Jerusalem. James deals with the problems faced by Christians everywhere in their daily walk. For example, he discusses the religion that pleases God, faith which saves because it works, the power of the tongue, coping with suffering and warning against favoritism to the rich and famous. His advice is practical and written in a style that is reminiscent of the book of Proverbs in the Old Testament. 1 JOHN: Written by the disciple who was dearly beloved by Jesus, this epistle confronts the gnostic errors that were pummeling the early church. John wrote to clarify the heart of the Gospel which reflects the heart of Jesus. He exalted Jesus, promoted love to one another and urged believers to avoid sin and entanglement with the world. 2 JOHN: This epistle was written to encourage the churches in a time when deception was rampant and many believers were straying from the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He uses two key words in this letter to instruct them how to walk: truth and love. 3 JOHN: John urges the churches to support the itinerant workers who, in turn, support the house church network of that day. He provides us with a study in contrast as he condemns the domineering demands of Diotrephes and endorses the demonstrated diligence of Demetrius. 1 PETER: In this epistle, Peter writes to churches struggling with persecution and suffering. He urges them to depend upon the enduring Word of God, to live holy lives and not to be entangled in the affairs of this life. Their attitudes and actions should all be defined and delivered in the light of eternity. 2 PETER: This epistle was written very near to the end of Peter's life and he writes to warn his readers about the false teachers infecting the churches. He provides the basic steps to increase the fruitfulness of their lives and encourages them to pay attention to God's sure Word of prophecy, to be true to Christ, and to be ready for His expected return. JUDE: Like Peter's second epistle, Jude wrote to warn the churches of the influx of false prophets and teachers. These two epistles have several passages that are remarkably similar, a situation which indicates the seriousness of their words. Their letters had an immediate application to the destruction of Jerusalem, but the situation he describes and the advice he gives are directly applicable to the anticipated return of Christ in our lifetimes. As you use these Study Guides for LIFE, you will be helped by three specific tools: 1) Explanatory notes which offer insight into difficult or controversial passages; 2) Searching questions which direct you back to the text for answers, and 3) Probing questions that expand the context and challenge you to apply the truths in each book to your own culture. Our goal is that you will know what the text says, what it means and how to apply it appropriately. By these means you will be helped to experience the closeness and intimacy of the Lord Jesus Christ, structure your life around Him and prepare for His anticipated return. The Study Guides for LIFE are appropriate for the study efforts of individuals, small groups or teachers preparing to explain each book. Whether you are a curious seeker or a professional minister, these Study Guides will direct your studies into the advice of Jesus' apostles and followers, which are designed to produce disciples after God's own heart.
About the Author: James K. Crews, B-Th, MA-Th, (he prefers "Jim") is an ordained minister who has served as Bible teacher, church leader, missionary, international conference speaker, author and academic dean of a Bible college. He's done all those things, but that's not who he is. He's just your basic, shy, analytical kind of guy who sees himself as a follower of Jesus, one who has spent his life studying God's Word and getting to know Him. He has assembled a lifetime of learning to create the Study Guides for LIFE to point believers toward Jesus so they can also know Him and make Him known. His theology is thoroughly conservative, evangelical, charismatic and Wesleyan. His study guides strive for unity in the body of Christ and a dependency on the Scriptures rather than on denominational dogma. With theology degrees from both the Independent Assemblies of God and a conservative Baptist seminary, he presents both sides of conflicting views. His goal is to expand the readers' awareness of the issues while directing them to the Scriptures and the father-heart of God so they can develop their own experience with God and knowledge of His Word.