“1–3 John; Jude,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)
1–3 John; Jude
As eyewitnesses of the resurrected Savior, John and Jude counseled the faithful on how they might resist false doctrines. John focused his message on God’s light and love, as manifested through the saving mission of Jesus Christ. John also taught how God’s love not only inspires us to love Him and others but also encourages obedience as we strive to walk in truth. Jude encouraged all to look to Jesus Christ and testified of “him that is able to keep you from falling” (Jude 1:24).
Additional Resources
Scripture Helps: New Testament, “1–3 John; Jude”
Note: The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the four standard lesson elements that follow.
Encouraging Personal Study
Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:
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We all commit sin in our lives. Read 1 John 1:5–10; 2:1–6 to find out how Jesus Christ can help you.
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What do you think “God is love” means? (1 John 4:8). How should God’s love for us—and ours for Him—influence how we treat other people? Ponder these questions as you read 1 John 2:7–11; 3:11–23; 4:7–21.
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How can we keep from being deceived by false teachings that can undermine our faith? Read 1 John 1:1–3; 2:18–28; 4:1–6; 2 John 1:7–11 to learn how John warned against false teachings and deception.
Questions and Sharing
Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of 1–3 John and Jude.
Skill Training
1 John 2:7–11; 3:11–23; 4:7–21 might be a helpful place to use the skill “Identifying Gospel Truths in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills.
Learning Activity Options
Multiple learning options are provided for you and your students. Prayerfully choose which option or options will be most meaningful for your class.
Improving Our Teaching and Learning
Follow up on study skills you have introduced. Students are more likely to continue using the study skills long term if you practice and follow up on them regularly. If you gave an invitation to use a study skill outside of class, follow up with students about their experience during the next class. Take the opportunity in later lessons to review and practice a study skill already introduced. Meaningful repetition will help such skills become second nature for your students.
Why do I need Jesus Christ to be my Advocate?
Display the following self-assessment, and invite students to complete it on their own:
1 = Strongly Agree; 2 = Agree; 3 = Neutral; 4 = Disagree; 5 = Strongly Disagree
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I sometimes downplay or overlook my sins.
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I tend to cover up or hide my sins from others.
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Shame keeps me from confessing my sins.
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I sometimes make excuses for the sins I commit.
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I try to overcome my sins without the Savior’s help.
After completing the self-assessment, invite students to reflect on the following question:
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What does this self-assessment reveal about how you respond to sin?
Point out that John offers us an important message about sin and how to overcome it. Invite students to study 1 John 1:5–10; 2:1–6, looking for truths about the Lord’s way to overcome sin. You might also ask students to consider the added insight in Joseph Smith Translation, 1 John 2:1 (in 1 John 2:1, footnote a). You could then ask questions like the following:
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How can walking in the light of the Savior’s gospel help us overcome sin?
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Why is confession an important step to overcome sin?
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What do you learn about the Savior’s role in the forgiveness of our sins? (Help students identify principles like the following: Because Jesus Christ has atoned for our sins, we can be forgiven as we repent. Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the Father.)
It may be important to provide students with time to deepen their understanding of the Savior’s role as our Advocate with Heavenly Father. They could study from the following resources. As they study, have them prepare a brief message about how Jesus Christ, as our Advocate, can help someone who is discouraged because of their sins.
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Read some of the scripture passages listed in the entry “Advocate” in Guide to the Scriptures (Gospel Library).
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Read “1 John 2:1–2; 4:10. What does it mean that Jesus is our Advocate?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.
After time for study, invite students to find a partner and take turns sharing their message about how Jesus Christ, as our Advocate, can help us overcome sin.
To help students feel the truth and importance of Jesus Christ being our Advocate, you could ask:
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What thoughts and feelings do you have about Jesus Christ, knowing the price He paid so He can be your Advocate?
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How can seeing Jesus Christ as your Advocate change how you view repentance? (Students could record their thoughts and impressions.)
To conclude, you could have students revisit the self-assessment they did at the beginning of class. Have them reassess their answers based on what they have learned or felt today.
1 John 2:7–11; 3:11–23; 4:7–21; 5:1–5
How can love change my life?
You could display the following pictures of the Savior. Invite students to share what thoughts or feelings they have when they look at these pictures.
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What can we learn from Jesus Christ about love? (If helpful, you could read John 13:34–35.)
Explain that one of the core messages in 1 John is love. John used the word love over 30 times. You could write on the board the following headers. Students could also write them on a paper or digitally.
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Source of Love |
Fruit of Love |
Whom to Love |
Depending on the size of your class, students could work alone, with a partner, or in small groups. Assign individuals, partners, or groups one of the following passages. Have them look for words, phrases, or ideas that could be put under each header. Have them write their insights under the appropriate header on their own paper and then on the board.
After students have written their insights on the board, invite them to identify the stated, implied, or illustrated truths that come from these verses (see “Identify Gospel Truths in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills). They could write their truths on the board, which could include the following: We express our love for God when we love and serve one another. God is love. God manifested His love for us by sending His Son into the world. The love of God casts out fear. We show our love to God by keeping His commandments.
As students identify truths, give them time to consider the importance of these truths about love. You could ask questions like the following:
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When have you seen this truth about love in action?
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How have you been influenced by someone living this truth?
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How would your life be different if you embraced this truth?
Consider sharing the following statement from President Thomas S. Monson:
Love is the very essence of the gospel, and Jesus Christ is our Exemplar. His life was a legacy of love. …
There are many attributes which are manifestations of love, such as kindness, patience, selflessness, understanding, and forgiveness. In all our associations, these and other such attributes will help make evident the love in our hearts.
Usually our love will be shown in our day-to-day interactions one with another. All important will be our ability to recognize someone’s need and then to respond. (“Love—the Essence of the Gospel,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 91)
Display the following questions, and invite students to quietly ponder them and record any impressions they have:
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Who may need to feel the Savior’s love through me today?
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What can I say or do to help them feel the Savior’s love?
Encourage students to act on any impressions they receive. Remind them that most often we express love in small, day-to-day interactions. You could send them President Monson’s quote later in the week with a reminder to act in love.
1 John 1:1–3; 2:18–28; 4:1–6; 2 John 1:7–11
What can I do to protect myself from false teachings and deception?
You could begin by sharing the following statement by Elder Gary E. Stevenson:
Satan, the father of lies and the great deceiver, would have us question things as they really are and either ignore eternal truths or replace them with something that appears more pleasing. “He maketh war with the saints of God” [Doctrine and Covenants 76:29] and has spent millennia calculating and practicing the ability to persuade God’s children to believe that good is evil and evil is good. (“Deceive Me Not,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 94)
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What are some examples of false teachings and deception in our day?
Point out that John, one of the Lord’s Apostles, wrote letters to address false teachings and deception among the Saints. His example demonstrates that the Lord’s apostles and prophets offer protection from false teachings and deceptions. One false teaching he addressed was Docetism. To better understand why this was such a concern to John, invite students to go to “1 John 4:1–3; 2 John 1:7. Why did some not confess that Jesus Christ had come in the flesh?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.
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How could this false teaching weaken faith in Jesus Christ?
Invite students to work with a partner or in small groups and read 1 John 1:1–3; 2:18–28; 4:1–6; 2 John 1:7–11, looking for the following: (1) warnings about false teachings and (2) ways to be protected. After time for study, you could ask:
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What warnings did John provide?
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What do you think it means to be an antichrist?
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How would someone test or try the spirits? (You might want to read together “1 John 4:1–3. What does it mean to ‘try the spirits,’ and why is this important?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.)
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How might these words from John have helped these ancient Saints?
Share the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson:
Sometimes we as leaders of the Church are criticized for holding firm to the laws of God, defending the Savior’s doctrine, and resisting the social pressures of our day. But our commission as ordained apostles is “to go into all the world to preach [His] gospel unto every creature.” That means we are commanded to teach truth. …
It is precisely because [apostles and prophets] care deeply about all of God’s children that we proclaim His truth. We may not always tell people what they want to hear. Prophets are rarely popular. But we will always teach the truth! (“The Love and Laws of God” [Brigham Young University devotional, Sept. 17, 2019], 3, speeches.byu.edu)
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Why can it sometimes be difficult to receive the words of the Lord’s prophets and apostles?
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How has your life been protected by their teachings?
Invite students to open the collection “General Conference” in Gospel Library. Use the search tool in the “Speakers” section, and enter in the name of the Lord’s current prophet. Search the titles of his talks, looking for messages that could act as warnings against false teachings and deception. Select one talk, and search for counsel that could protect you.
After students have had time to search, encourage them to share what they found with a peer or with the class. Invite them to heed the counsel they found and continue looking for messages from the Lord’s living prophet that will protect them from false teachings and deception.