Day One - Acts of the Apostles, Chapters 25-28

James
The person to whom this letter is ascribed can scarcely be one of the two members of the Twelve who bore the name James (see Mat 10:2-3; Mar 3:17-18; Luk 6:14-15), for he is not identified as an apostle but only as "slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" (Jam 1:1). This designation most probably refers to the third New Testament personage named James, a relative of Jesus who is usually called "brother of the Lord" (see Mat 13:55; Mar 6:3). He was the leader of the Jewish Christian community in Jerusalem whom Paul acknowledged as one of the "pillars" (Gal 2:9). In Acts he appears as the authorized spokesman for the Jewish Christian position in the early Church (Act 12:17; 15:13-21). According to the Jewish historian Josephus (Antiquities 20, 9, 1 _ 201-203), he was stoned to death by the Jews under the high priest Ananus II in A.D. 62.

The principal divisions of the Letter of James are the following: Address (Jam 1:1), The Value of Trials and Temptation (Jam 1:2-18), Exhortations and Warnings (Jam 1:19-5:12), The Power of Prayer (Jam 5:13-20)

Day Two - James, Chapters 1-5

1 Peter
This letter begins with an address by Peter to Christian communities located in five provinces of Asia Minor (1Pe 1:1), including areas evangelized by Paul (Act 16:6-7; 18:23). Christians there are encouraged to remain faithful to their standards of belief and conduct in spite of threats of persecution. Numerous allusions in the letter suggest that the churches addressed were largely of Gentile composition (1Pe 1:14,18; 2:9-10; 4:3-4), though considerable use is made of the Old Testament (1Pe 1:24; 2:6-7,9-10,22; 3:10-12).

The principal divisions of the First Letter of Peter are the following: Address (1Pe 1:1-2), The Gift and Call of God in Baptism (1Pe 1:3-2:10), The Christian in a Hostile World (1Pe 2:11-4:11), Advice to the Persecuted (1Pe 4:12-5:11), Conclusion (1Pe 5:12-14).

Day Three - 1 Peter, Chapters 1-5

2 Peter
This letter can be appreciated both for its positive teachings and for its earnest warnings. It seeks to strengthen readers in faith (2Pe 1:1), hope for the future (2Pe 3:1-10), knowledge (2Pe 1:2,6,8), love (2Pe 1:7), and other virtues (2Pe 1:5-6). This aim is carried out especially by warning against false teachers, the condemnation of whom occupies the long central section of the letter (2Pe 2:1-22). A particular crisis is the claim by "scoffers" that there will be no second coming of Jesus, a doctrine that the author vigorously affirms (2Pe 3:1-10). The concept of God's "promises" is particularly precious in the theology of 2 Peter (2Pe 1:4; 3:4,9,13). Closing comments at 2Pe 3:17-18 well sum up the twin concerns: that you not "be led into" error and "fall" but instead "grow in grace" and "knowledge" of Jesus Christ.

The principal divisions of the Second Letter of Peter are the following: Address (2Pe 1:1-2), Exhortation to Christian Virtue (2Pe 1:3-21), Condemnation of the False Teachers (2Pe 2:1-22), The Delay of the Second Coming (2Pe 3:1-16), Final Exhortation and Doxology (2Pe 3:17-18).

Day Four - 2 Peter, Chapters 1-3

1 John
Early Christian tradition identified this work as a letter of John the apostle. Because of its resemblance to the fourth gospel in style, vocabulary, and ideas, it is generally agreed that both works are the product of the same school of Johannine Christianity. The terminology and the presence or absence of certain theological ideas in 1 John suggest that it was written after the gospel; it may have been composed as a short treatise on ideas that were developed more fully in the fourth gospel. To others, the evidence suggests that 1 John was written after the fourth gospel as part of a debate on the proper interpretation of that gospel. Whatever its relation to the gospel, 1 John may be dated toward the end of the first century. Unlike 2 and 3 John, it lacks in form the salutation and epistolary conclusion of a letter. These features, its prologue, and its emphasis on doctrinal teaching make it more akin to a theological treatise than to most other New Testament letters.

The principal divisions of the First Letter of John are the following: Prologue (1Jo 1:1-4), God as Light (1Jo 1:5-3:10), Love for One Another (1Jo 3:11-5:12), Epilogue (1Jo 5:13-21).

Day Five - 1 John, Chapters 1-5

2 John
Written in response to similar problems, the Second and Third Letters of John are of the same length, perhaps determined by the practical consideration of the writing space on one piece of papyrus. In each letter the writer calls himself "the Presbyter," and their common authorship is further evidenced by internal similarities in style and wording, especially in the introductions and conclusions. The literary considerations that link 2Jo and 3Jo also link them with the First Letter and the Gospel of John. The concern with "truth," Christology, mutual love, the new commandment, antichrist, and the integrity of witness to the earthly Jesus mark these works as products of the Johannine school. The identity of the Presbyter is problematic. The use of the title implies more than age, and refers to his position of leadership in the early church. The absence of a proper name indicates that he was well known and acknowledged in authority by the communities to which he writes. Although traditionally attributed to John the apostle, these letters were probably written by a disciple or scribe of an apostle. The traditional place and date of composition, Ephesus at the end of the first century, are plausible for both letters.

Day Six - 2 John, Chapter 1

3 John
The Third Letter of John preserves a brief glimpse into the problems of missionary activity and local autonomy in the early church. In contrast to the other two letters of John, this work was addressed to a specific individual, Gaius. This letter is less theological in content and purpose. The author's goal was to secure hospitality and material support for his missionaries, and the Presbyter is writing to another member of the church who has welcomed missionaries in the past. The Presbyter commends Gaius for his hospitality and encourages his future help. He indicates he may come to challenge the policy of Diotrephes that is based on evil gossip.

Day Seven - 3 John, Chapter 1