Gospel of John

Rosedale Bible College

5th term, 2007

Instructor: Reuben Sairs

 

John stated his purpose in writing toward the end of his gospel: John 20:30-31.  Inspired by the Holy Spirit he chose specific signs to demonstrate that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah and the son of God.  His intent was to engender faith so that his readers would gain eternal life.

 

Goal: Students will seek an in-depth, adult, academic and functional knowledge of this gospel.

 

Class: Teaching will consist of presentations and guided discussions.  Principles of sound Bible interpretation, history, context and theological issues will be under consideration. After the introductory classes, the course will proceed through the Gospel of John on a chapter by chapter basis.  The instructor will attempt to spend at least one class period on each chapter in the gospel.

 

Texts: Students are required to bring a Bible to every class (any translation).  The text will be Colin Kruse’s John in The Tyndale New Testament Commentary series.  

 

Expectations/Evaluation:

 

1. Participate in classroom discussion (this implies attendance and preparation).

 

2. Read  Kruse’s entire commentary on the Gospel.  Please refer to the reading plan.

 

3. Complete  4 short online quizzes on weekly content.  The quizzes will be posted Friday afternoons and taken down the following  Monday morning.

 

            Quiz 1:            April 13-15                 Quiz 3:            May 4-7

            Quiz 2:            April 20-22                Quiz 4:            May 11-13

           

 

4.  Mid-Term and Final Examination.  This tests will consist of questions regarding the primary issues as discussed in class, the historical and literary contexts of passages and ideas about difficult interpretations.  By reading the book, taking notes in class and participating in discussions, students will be prepared for the exams.

 

Mid-term:       April 27th(full period)                     Final:   May 18th

 

READING PLAN

 

Kruse’s commentary on the Gospel of John is 395 pages long.  You can finish the commentary  by reading about 66 pages a week or about 15 pages every class day.  Students will get the most out of their reading and class time by using the following approach. Read the appropriate material before each day’s class.  After the introductory material has been presented, class will proceed on a chapter by chapter basis, and basically deal with one chapter in each class.  The best approach will be to read the appropriate chapter in the Gospel,  and then read the commentary for that chapter.

 

The following schedule is an approximation:

 

Date    Chapter                      Date    Chapter                                  Date    Chapter

 

4/12    1                                  4/23   8                                              5/3      15

4/13    2                                  4/24   9                                              5/4      16

4/16    3                                  4/25   10                                            5/7      17

4/17    4                                  4/26   11                                             5/8      18

4/18    5                                  4/30   12                                            5/9      19

4/19    6                                  5/1      13                                            5/11    20

4/20   7                                  5/2      14                                            5/14    21

 

By following the schedule above, students may find themselves ahead, but will never find themselves behind in their reading!

 

 

Grading.

 

Grading will be on a ten percent scale:

 

            90-100            A

            80-89              B

            70-79              C

            60-69              D

 

 

Participation             10%.  You will lose 5% for each unexcused absence. 

Quizzes.                     20%.  5% each.

Mid-term                    35%.

Final Exam                  35%.