Bible crossword puzzle 24: The letters of John

Based on material in chapter 31 of Discovering the Bible by Alex Varughese, textbook for Introduction to Biblical Literature

Challenge: Can you solve this puzzle even if you do not have the book by Varughese?

ACROSS

1 -- The person to whom Third John is addressed
7 -- A highly regarded virtue and a necessary gift for the advancement of the Early Church; a key theme of Third John
8 -- The person to whom Second John is addressed

DOWN

2 -- John understood that this person will be more than someone who fails to believe; it will be someone who, in deliberate and reasoned rebellion, denies that Jesus is the Christ and denies the Father-Son relationship
3 -- The New Testament book often recommended for a new Christian to read first. This book contrasts those who walk in the light with God and love others with those who walk in the darkness and hate their fellow human beings
4 -- A form of Gnosticism which promoted the idea that Jesus only appeared to have a human form but that He was not truly human and did not have an actual material body
5 -- The Roman emperor during the last decade of the first century. He brought great persecution on the Christians who found themselves treated as aliens in a foreign land and who also found themselves tempted by syncretism (the borrowing of religious ideas from pagan religions)
6 -- A word used in First John to mean the way of life that opposes God; a place where deceivers and the Deceiver live and rule

This crossword puzzle was created for use in the course Introduction to Biblical Literature. The words and clues come from the textbook Discovering the Bible: Story and Faith of the Biblical Communities edited by Alex Varughese and published by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, now called The Foundry.

-- Howard Culbertson,

Can John's Three Letters Help Us Today?

Although they are brief, the New Testament letters of John offer wisdom and guidance that can profoundly impact our lives today. Here are some ways these letters can help us:

Spiritual Encouragement: The letters provide encouragement and assurance to believers as John reminds them of their identity in Christ and the hope they have in Him. The letters emphasize the importance of faith, love, and obedience in the Christian walk.
Clarification of Doctrine: These three letters address theological issues that include the nature of God, the incarnation of Jesus, and the importance of love in the Christian life. They help clarify and reinforce foundational Christian beliefs.
Combatting False Teaching: The letters of John confront false teachings. They encourage believers to discern truth from falsehood. They emphasize the importance of holding to sound doctrine and rather than being swayed by deceptive teachings.
Call to Love and Unity: Love is a central theme in John's letters. He emphasizes the importance of loving one another as Christ loved us. The letters the significance of unity within the body of believers and the need to demonstrate Christ-like love in our relationships.
Assurance of Salvation: John offers assurance of salvation to believers by highlighting the evidence of a genuine faith that includes love for God and others, obedience to His commandments, and belief in Jesus as the Son of God.
Practical Application: These three letters provide practical guidance for living out the Christian faith in daily life. They offer principles for ethical living, dealing with sin, and cultivating a deeper relationship with God.
Hope and Confidence: In the midst of challenges and uncertainties, the letters of John offer hope and confidence in God's faithfulness and promise of eternal life. They remind believers of the victory they have in Christ and the assurance of their future inheritance.

Bible book overviews and meditations

Overview of 1 John
Entire sanctification in 1 John
Caring for the poor in 1 John 3
Salvation unlimited: 1 John 4
Loving one another: 1 John 4
Holiness in 1 John
Overview of the Epistle of 2 John
Overview of the Epistle of 3 John
Lessons from 3 John

More Bible Crossword puzzles