by Dennis Lange (Author)

Many books have been written on the gospel of John, beginning with commentary on John 1:1 and continuing chapter by chapter through John 21:25. Many Bible classes have studied his gospel in the same manner. This book presents a revealing and refreshing different way to study the gospel - by topics.
In both his gospel and his epistles, John presents recurring themes and emphasizes certain words by repeating them. By concentrating those themes and words into topics, one can study them in greater depth than a verse by verse study. Instead of coming to John 1:5 and briefly touching on the meaning of that verse about light and darkness, the sixteen verses in John that speak of light can be studied together as a subject. The significance of Jesus' words in John 8:58 can be studied along with John 1:1, John 20:28, and the title "Son of God". The seven signs John included for his purpose in writing (20:30,31) can be examined together as a lesson. One can see how the five fold witness in John 5 fit with those signs and John's purpose.
A verse by verse study of John's gospel certainly has its merits and strong points. But a topical study of his gospel concentrates on the very ideas that John focused on. It is also a way to revisit John's gospel without being repetitious in one's own study of God's word and to study the same material in a different way in a congregation's Bible classes.