John
Instructor: Russ Earl
Syllabus updated 11/18/25
1. Purpose
Class will be a total of 18 weeks and two breaks.
Projected Schedule
Week 1 – Introduction to the Gospel of John
Text: John 1:1–18
Theme: The Deity of Christ; the Word made flesh.
Week 2 – John the Baptist & the First Disciples
Text: John 1:19–51
Theme: Bearing witness of the Light.
Week 3 – Water to Wine & Cleansing the Temple
Text: John 2:1–25
Theme: The first sign—manifesting His glory.
Week 4 – The New Birth
Text: John 3:1–36
Theme: Necessity of obedience and wholehearted submission.
Week 5 – The Samaritan Woman
Text: John 4:1–42
Theme: True worship & living water.
Week 6 – Healing at Bethesda & Authority of the Son
Text: John 5:1–47
Theme: Christ’s authority to judge and give life.
Week 7 – Feeding the 5,000 & Walking on Water
Text: John 6:1–21
Theme: Signs pointing to the true bread.
Week 8 – The Bread of Life Discourse
Text: John 6:22–71
Theme: True discipleship; many turn back.
Week 9 – Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles
Text: John 7:1–53
Theme: Truth vs. unbelief.
Week 10 – The Woman Taken in Adultery & Light of the World
Text: John 8:1–59
Theme: Light vs. darkness; Christ’s eternal “I AM.”
Week 11 – The Man Born Blind
Text: John 9:1–41
Theme: Spiritual blindness vs. spiritual sight.
Week 12 – The Good Shepherd
Text: John 10:1–42
Theme: Christ’s leadership, protection, sacrifice.
Week 13 – The Raising of Lazarus
Text: John 11:1–57
Theme: “I am the resurrection and the life.”
Week 14 – Anointing at Bethany & Triumphal Entry
Text: John 12:1–50
Theme: Serving Christ wholeheartedly.
Week 15 – The Upper Room (Part 1)
Text: John 13–14
Theme: Humble service; preparing the disciples.
Week 16 – The Upper Room (Part 2)
Text: John 15–16
Theme: Abiding in Christ; joy, endurance, and persecution.
Week 17 – Jesus’ Prayer & Betrayal
Text: John 17–18
Theme: Christ’s prayer for unity & holiness.
Week 18 – Crucifixion, Burial & Resurrection
Text: John 19–21
Theme: The finished work; restoration; mission.
- The purpose of this course will be to do an in-depth study of the book of John.
- The King James Version of the Bible (only required book)
- Other books may be recommended during the course
- Each student is to keep a notebook including class notes and any handouts.
- There will be study questions that go with each chapter instead of a test.
- There will be study questions assigned throughout the course and need to be turned in on the assigned date found in Google Classroom.
- Throughout the course each student will be required to show the progress of the notebook with notes and handouts.
- Each student is required to read the book of John three times during the course.
Class will be a total of 18 weeks and two breaks.
Projected Schedule
Week 1 – Introduction to the Gospel of John
Text: John 1:1–18
Theme: The Deity of Christ; the Word made flesh.
Week 2 – John the Baptist & the First Disciples
Text: John 1:19–51
Theme: Bearing witness of the Light.
Week 3 – Water to Wine & Cleansing the Temple
Text: John 2:1–25
Theme: The first sign—manifesting His glory.
Week 4 – The New Birth
Text: John 3:1–36
Theme: Necessity of obedience and wholehearted submission.
Week 5 – The Samaritan Woman
Text: John 4:1–42
Theme: True worship & living water.
Week 6 – Healing at Bethesda & Authority of the Son
Text: John 5:1–47
Theme: Christ’s authority to judge and give life.
Week 7 – Feeding the 5,000 & Walking on Water
Text: John 6:1–21
Theme: Signs pointing to the true bread.
Week 8 – The Bread of Life Discourse
Text: John 6:22–71
Theme: True discipleship; many turn back.
Week 9 – Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles
Text: John 7:1–53
Theme: Truth vs. unbelief.
Week 10 – The Woman Taken in Adultery & Light of the World
Text: John 8:1–59
Theme: Light vs. darkness; Christ’s eternal “I AM.”
Week 11 – The Man Born Blind
Text: John 9:1–41
Theme: Spiritual blindness vs. spiritual sight.
Week 12 – The Good Shepherd
Text: John 10:1–42
Theme: Christ’s leadership, protection, sacrifice.
Week 13 – The Raising of Lazarus
Text: John 11:1–57
Theme: “I am the resurrection and the life.”
Week 14 – Anointing at Bethany & Triumphal Entry
Text: John 12:1–50
Theme: Serving Christ wholeheartedly.
Week 15 – The Upper Room (Part 1)
Text: John 13–14
Theme: Humble service; preparing the disciples.
Week 16 – The Upper Room (Part 2)
Text: John 15–16
Theme: Abiding in Christ; joy, endurance, and persecution.
Week 17 – Jesus’ Prayer & Betrayal
Text: John 17–18
Theme: Christ’s prayer for unity & holiness.
Week 18 – Crucifixion, Burial & Resurrection
Text: John 19–21
Theme: The finished work; restoration; mission.