Books/Study Guides
Go With Gratitude: A Reflection Guide for The Gospel of John. This downloadable booklet from the United Thank Offering (UTO) shares weekly reflections and questions for discussion or personal reflection written by UTO Grant Recipients. UTO invites all Episcopalians to participate in a personal spiritual discipline of gratitude and the giving of thank offerings in a UTO Blue Box. Each year, UTO collects thank offerings made and grants every penny donated to support innovative mission and ministry in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. UTO offers this booklet to support individuals or groups as they spend the season of Epiphany reflecting on gratitude and crossing boundaries as portrayed in the Gospel of John. We hope you’ll join us on a journey to explore how gratitude can deepen our faith and support us as we live into the mission that Jesus has called all of us.
John 101: A two-page introduction developed by Forward Movement to the Gospel of John, exploring authorship and major themes.
Juan 101: Una introducción al Evangelio de Juan de dos páginas preparada por Forward Movement; se explora quién es el autor y algunos de los temas principales.
Episcopal Migration Ministries will offer a seven-session Bible study. Each lesson will include a prayer, a group Bible study with discussion/reflection questions, and an Episcopal Migration Ministries “Teaching” in audio or video form.
A Journey with John: This book explores the Gospel of John with fifty days of scripture, meditations, and prayers written by dynamic spiritual leaders from across the United States and around the world. Available from Forward Movement and as an ebook on digital platforms.
Online/Digital
A Good Word: During the season of Epiphany 2020 Forma is excited to join the work of the Good Book Club, offering one verse each day, via social media, that is meant to encourage reading, sharing, and growing through the Gospel of John. These scriptures will correspond with the daily selections and will be posted on Forma’s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts, as well as their webpage.
Building Faith, a ministry of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary, has some wonderful ideas for getting people of all ages involved. They will be preparing intergenerational activities throughout the Good Book Club.
Asset Map: Did you know that St. John’s is the most common name for an Episcopal congregation? Whether named for the Baptizer or the Evangelist, our congregations are excited to participate in the Good Book Club and share more about where God has called them to minister. The Episcopal Asset Map is a grassroots populated site that shares how we as The Episcopal Church are living out Christ’s call to us. Visit our Facebook page throughout the season of Epiphany for a short reflection on the daily reading and some stories about how God is at work across the Church!
Introducing John: ChurchNext Live Bible study during Epiphany. Five-week course begins in January 2019.
This Week in John: Weekly emails by Forward Movement will preview the upcoming readings to provide context and background. The emails also will feature the ministries of partner organizations. Sign up with the subscription form to the right!
Introducing the Gospel of John: The Montreal Diocesan Theological College in the Anglican Church of Canada is hosting a 90-minute webinar about the Gospel of John on January 13 from 7 to 8.30 p.m. (EST). The Gospel of John is beautifully written and compelling, with allusions to other passages in scripture, internal references, and structural elements that help highlight repeated themes of the good news it shares. But it is unlike any other part of scripture and can occasionally seem confusing and unclear. This 90-minute webinar offers an overview of the content, structure, and key themes of the Gospel of John. It aims to provide students with an “infrastructure” that will help them make sense of the gospel as they read it through and come to a deeper appreciation of the text and how it is speaking to their lives. Come with your questions about the first week of the Good Book Club and learn about the remainder of the gospel. Taught by the Rev. Dr. Jesse Zink, principal of Montreal Diocesan Theological College
Self(ie)-Reflections: Missional Voices will host a weekly video series with leaders (laity, clergy, and seminarians) from around the Episcopal Church reflecting on where they see the mission of God in each week’s readings.
El Club Bíblico es un grupo de Facebook que congrega a personas hispanohablantes interesadas en el mensaje de la Biblia. Durante Epifanía varios miembros del grupo van a publicar mensajes y videos para explorar el Evangelio de Juan.
El Club Bíblico is a Facebook group that gathers Spanish-speaking people interested in the message of the Bible. During Epiphany, several group members will post regular messages and videos exploring the Gospel of John.
Follow the Star: Six Weeks of Evangelism in John: Join the evangelism team of the Episcopal Church in conversation about ways to share the Good News of Christ. The team will post weekly memes to highlight an evangelistic action that we can follow inspired by stories of John as well as a weekly conversation prompt around an evangelism story in the Evangelism Facebook page. Available soon: A downloadable “follow the star” map that shows mile markers in John and follows the Seek, Name, Celebrate, and Invite pattern of Episcopal Invitation; the map will begin with looking for Good News in John and end with prompting someone to invite someone to Ash Wednesday services.
Vital Practices: Through the period of Epiphany 2020, Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices bloggers will choose a reading from the Gospel of John that resonates with them and their ministry and write a related blog post. These blogs will be published on ECFVP and invite readers to share in the experience.
Grow Christians: Grow Christians will share stories from parents who are reading and reflecting on the Gospel of John at home with children and teens.
Covenant: Each week, The Living Church will post on its blog, Covenant, an article that explores the text from John.
Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast: Bishop Russell Kendrick will post weekly videos online, offering theological insight on the readings from the Gospel of John.
The Good Book Club Calendar: RenewalWorks offers a downloadable calendar with the daily readings and cartoons by artist Jay Sidebotham. Each day will list the reading and feature an inspiring quote or cartoon. The calendar is perfect for coloring and appeals to all ages.
Download the 2020 Good Book Club Toolkit (updated regularly).