First, Second, and Third John are like trail mix – concentrated, chewy, and nutritious. The Apostle John writes these letters as an elderly man. When he was young, he was Jesus’ “beloved disciple.” Now he is passing on the faith he learned at Jesus’ feet. He writes with great affection, but that doesn’t mean he is soft. In these letters John: • Refutes enemies of Christ who are spreading false and dangerous doctrine. • Challenges believers to reject darkness and live in the light. • Assures believers of God’s forgiveness and cleansing. • Proclaims love as the core commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ. John’s letters pack a punch to both first century believers and readers in the twenty-first century. Eight detailed lessons, each with probing discussion questions, can be used for personal enrichment, by small groups and classes, and by teachers and preachers.
Ralph F. Wilson was raised in a Christian family and received Christ as his Savior and Lord at the age of nine. When he was twelve, he became aware that God was calling him to the Christian ministry.
He studied at Occidental College, Los Angeles where he received a bachelor's degree in Biology in 1967. He received a Master of Divinity degree (1976) from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and a few years later, a Doctor of Ministry degree (1984) from the same school
Pastor Ralph has attended churches of many denominations as well as independent churches. He believes that denominations at their best can strengthen the Body by providing historical fellowships of congregations. Yet he rejoices that the walls that have divided one group from another are coming down. Our goal - and final destiny - is One Church unified by Jesus Christ himself.
Pastor Ralph was ordained under the auspices of the American Baptist Churches/USA in 1977. He has served as senior pastor of Lindley Ave. Baptist Church in Tarzana, California (1976-1988) and Church of the Live Oaks in Rocklin, California (1988-2001). He served as Ministry Development Pastor at Community Covenant Church in Rocklin 2003-2009. Currently he is serving as Interim Pastor at First Baptist Church of Nevada City (2010- )
Dr. Wilson is recognized as a pioneer in the field of Internet marketing and is editor of Web Marketing Today (www.wilsonweb.com), a free e-mail newsletter that reaches nearly 100,000 readers each week. Over 150 of his video interviews of marketing experts are available on the WebMarketingToday channel on YouTube.
His Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries website (www.joyfulheart.com) contains scores of Christian articles and stories he has written.
Beginning in 1996, he began to experiment with teaching the Bible by means of the Internet, the JesusWalk Bible Study Series (www.jesuswalk.com). His studies have reached as many as 5,500 in up to 124 countries at a time. These interactive Bible studies allow students to begin at any time, receive lessons via e-mail, and share their insights to study questions with others in an online forum.
Dr. Wilson has served as a trainer for a number of Christian organizations, including Compassion International, Campus Crusade for Christ International, NavPress, Gospel Communications, Zondervan Publishing House, and others.
Pastor Ralph and his wife have three grown children. They live in rural Loomis, California, a few miles from Sacramento.
