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What Love Is: The Letters of 1, 2, 3 John
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The letters of 1, 2, & 3 John were written to encourage followers of Jesus to remain faithful to the truth. Believers are challenged to look at contrasting themes such as walking in the light instead of darkness, truth versus lies and deception, loving God more than loving the world, and the meaning of true fellowship and community rather than shallowness. This study reveals not only the heart of John but also the heart of Jesus.
Features:
• 6 weeks of personal study material
• Great addition to The Living Room Series that includes recipes and a relational approach
The letters of 1, 2, & 3 John were written to encourage followers of Jesus to remain faithful to the truth. Believers are challenged to look at contrasting themes such as walking in the light instead of darkness, truth versus lies and deception, loving God more than loving the world, and the meaning of true fellowship and community rather than shallowness. This study reveals not only the heart of John but also the heart of Jesus.
Features:
• 6 weeks of personal study material
• Great addition to The Living Room Series that includes recipes and a relational approach
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
25 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Minter
55 books429 followersKelly lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and serves the Lord passionately both across the U.S. and internationally in a variety of creative roles. An acclaimed author, musician, Bible study creator and teacher, she is passionate to see women impacted by Jesus and His Word.
Growing up outside of Washington, DC, Kelly was raised in a Christian home, the oldest of four children and daughter of a pastor. Her childhood was seasoned with competitive sports, learning the guitar, singing, and a litany of church activities in the congregation her father founded and still pastors. Like many young women, Kelly dealt with inner struggles – anxiety and depression were a part of her growing-up years. “Those struggles are what drove me to Scripture,” Kelly says, “and the catalyst for me to learn for myself who God is.” Throughout her high school career, Kelly played basketball competitively, expecting that to be her path into college. But after a scholarship fell through, she began playing music. And God began a new thing.
Kelly moved to Nashville in the summer of 2000 and released her first record with WORD, followed by a subsequent release on a different label, leading to her first #1 Single on the Inspirational Charts, This Is My Offering. Shortly after this success and several cross-country tours her record company folded leaving Kelly to rethink her vocation and ministry. In the middle of an ever-changing music industry and on a tour through Colorado, Kelly met a book publisher who would two years later sign her to her first book deal.
Kelly’s first book eventually led to LifeWay approaching her about writing a bible study. Authoring curriculum was a new challenge, but one she quickly fell in love with. Kelly’s first three studies include, No Other Gods: Confronting Our Modern Day Idols, followed by Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy and Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break. Respected Bible Study teacher and speaker, Beth Moore, chose each of Kelly’s resources for three of her widely-reaching online summer studies. Thousands of women participated and were challenged by Kelly’s writing and her unique perspective on Scripture.
Kelly now writes, teaches, and sings across the United States and also in other countries. Speaking at multiple conferences and events, as well as four Women of Faith events in 2012, Kelly has become a steady and respected teaching voice to women, particularly when it comes to the Scriptures. She also partners closely with Justice and Mercy International (JMI), a ministry that serves in the Amazon jungle; she especially loves working with the jungle pastors who encourage her through their remarkable faith.
When home, Kelly’s days are spent writing, cooking, gardening, enjoying her neighborhood, loving her community, investing in her local church, and walking forward in the things God has for her. She is relevant, palatable, and uncompromising in her teachings from the Bible, and women relate to this.
Growing up outside of Washington, DC, Kelly was raised in a Christian home, the oldest of four children and daughter of a pastor. Her childhood was seasoned with competitive sports, learning the guitar, singing, and a litany of church activities in the congregation her father founded and still pastors. Like many young women, Kelly dealt with inner struggles – anxiety and depression were a part of her growing-up years. “Those struggles are what drove me to Scripture,” Kelly says, “and the catalyst for me to learn for myself who God is.” Throughout her high school career, Kelly played basketball competitively, expecting that to be her path into college. But after a scholarship fell through, she began playing music. And God began a new thing.
Kelly moved to Nashville in the summer of 2000 and released her first record with WORD, followed by a subsequent release on a different label, leading to her first #1 Single on the Inspirational Charts, This Is My Offering. Shortly after this success and several cross-country tours her record company folded leaving Kelly to rethink her vocation and ministry. In the middle of an ever-changing music industry and on a tour through Colorado, Kelly met a book publisher who would two years later sign her to her first book deal.
Kelly’s first book eventually led to LifeWay approaching her about writing a bible study. Authoring curriculum was a new challenge, but one she quickly fell in love with. Kelly’s first three studies include, No Other Gods: Confronting Our Modern Day Idols, followed by Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy and Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break. Respected Bible Study teacher and speaker, Beth Moore, chose each of Kelly’s resources for three of her widely-reaching online summer studies. Thousands of women participated and were challenged by Kelly’s writing and her unique perspective on Scripture.
Kelly now writes, teaches, and sings across the United States and also in other countries. Speaking at multiple conferences and events, as well as four Women of Faith events in 2012, Kelly has become a steady and respected teaching voice to women, particularly when it comes to the Scriptures. She also partners closely with Justice and Mercy International (JMI), a ministry that serves in the Amazon jungle; she especially loves working with the jungle pastors who encourage her through their remarkable faith.
When home, Kelly’s days are spent writing, cooking, gardening, enjoying her neighborhood, loving her community, investing in her local church, and walking forward in the things God has for her. She is relevant, palatable, and uncompromising in her teachings from the Bible, and women relate to this.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 11, 2020
In the fourth Bible study in her Living Room Series, Kelly Minter addresses the universal question of What Love Is. She uses the lens of 1, 2, and 3 John, three of the most overlooked books of the Bible. “Ever since throwing myself into these letters the way a child finally inches off the high dive, I’ve been dog paddling in the deep end. You may feel the same way, having now peered into the mysteries of light and dark, cracked open words like propitiation and chrisma…abiding in Him.”
Think of Ms. Minter as your favorite English teacher, creatively intertwining grammar with love. “We have the indicatives: we’re forgiven, purified, children of God, overcomers, annointed, and confident that we know. We also have the imperatives: we’re to love each other like Christ loved while not loving the world system. Only the incarnation makes both the indicatives and imperatives possible.”
Kelly also doubles as your next door neighbor, who shares the beauty and produce of her beloved garden with you and invites you to A Place at the Table (because with all the recipes she’s compiled in her Bible study series, of course she’s written a cookbook!). Throughout this study Kelly highlights several theological truths in the margin notated by a picture of an ingredient. Whenever you see one of these ingredients, Kelly has provided a page at the back of the book for the reader to hand write the theological truths next to its corresponding picture.
As an undomestic goddess, the text exchanges between my mother and me proved both enlightening and entertaining! At one point, my mom’s autocorrect resulted in a text about Jelly Minter instead of mint, and I burst out laughing because now every time I see her name, I will be reminded of the mint jelly with lamb that is our family’s tradition at Easter! Regardless, however, by the study’s end I had completed a list of biblical ingredients foundational to the Christian faith, appropriately concluding with the theme of 1, 2, and 3 John: lettuce. Lettuce love one another!
While there may only be three books in John’s trilogy, Minter deserves five stars and a decadent slice of tiramisu! What Love Is will be sure to find it’s place on your shelf of favorites across genre--Bible studies, cookbooks, and gardening guides! Invest in What Love Is today!
Think of Ms. Minter as your favorite English teacher, creatively intertwining grammar with love. “We have the indicatives: we’re forgiven, purified, children of God, overcomers, annointed, and confident that we know. We also have the imperatives: we’re to love each other like Christ loved while not loving the world system. Only the incarnation makes both the indicatives and imperatives possible.”
Kelly also doubles as your next door neighbor, who shares the beauty and produce of her beloved garden with you and invites you to A Place at the Table (because with all the recipes she’s compiled in her Bible study series, of course she’s written a cookbook!). Throughout this study Kelly highlights several theological truths in the margin notated by a picture of an ingredient. Whenever you see one of these ingredients, Kelly has provided a page at the back of the book for the reader to hand write the theological truths next to its corresponding picture.
As an undomestic goddess, the text exchanges between my mother and me proved both enlightening and entertaining! At one point, my mom’s autocorrect resulted in a text about Jelly Minter instead of mint, and I burst out laughing because now every time I see her name, I will be reminded of the mint jelly with lamb that is our family’s tradition at Easter! Regardless, however, by the study’s end I had completed a list of biblical ingredients foundational to the Christian faith, appropriately concluding with the theme of 1, 2, and 3 John: lettuce. Lettuce love one another!
While there may only be three books in John’s trilogy, Minter deserves five stars and a decadent slice of tiramisu! What Love Is will be sure to find it’s place on your shelf of favorites across genre--Bible studies, cookbooks, and gardening guides! Invest in What Love Is today!
November 8, 2015
As my first Bible study, I was blown away with emotions left and right. This really helped me to dive into the word and learn it more deeply. This Bible study has strenghened my faith and strengthened the relationships with the girls I did this Bible study with. It has been an amazing journey and I can't wait to start a new one.
July 31, 2017
Loved leaning more about I, II, and III John.
May 18, 2024
She is always doctrinally sound and I love her writing. This study, could have been condensed into 3-4 weeks.
April 27, 2021
Great study on the letters of John
August 6, 2015
Wonderful study! Didn't want it to end, although some of the homework questions are very introspective. Loved learning about the assurances we have to know if we have eternal life, if we're in Christ, if we're growing, etc. Kelly writes from a position of knowing, not one of preaching. She's living and learning the principles along with her audience and she's so real and transparent about it. Wonderful!
Doing study a second time online for the Summer of 2015. Still learning new things about fellowship with God, Jesus as our Advocate and that God is light, love and life. Re-reading 1st John along with the commentary by Vernon McGee on 1 John and the commentary on 2 John, 3 John & Jude. Very good study. Brings the book of 1st John alive. God has given us assurances (signs to watch for) of many things - salvation (have the Spirit), fellowship (grow in obedience and righteousness), born of God (righteousness in lifestyle) and abide in life or light (love believers).
Doing study a second time online for the Summer of 2015. Still learning new things about fellowship with God, Jesus as our Advocate and that God is light, love and life. Re-reading 1st John along with the commentary by Vernon McGee on 1 John and the commentary on 2 John, 3 John & Jude. Very good study. Brings the book of 1st John alive. God has given us assurances (signs to watch for) of many things - salvation (have the Spirit), fellowship (grow in obedience and righteousness), born of God (righteousness in lifestyle) and abide in life or light (love believers).
August 6, 2015
I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand the epistles 1,2,3 John. John writes in circles, and it can be difficult to understand why. With Kelly's help (and the Holy Spirit), I was able to navigate these books from a different viewpoint, by starting with who John actually was and why he would write the way he did. I love this no nonsense look at the Bible, taking it as it is and not watering it down. It hurts, because it challenges us to change and be better, and that's rough! But abiding in Christ helps us, and that's a huge theme in these books. I'm very grateful to have gone through this study.
November 9, 2015
This was an amazing Bible Study. I did this as an online Bible Study with a group of my friends and we enjoyed it so much. There were bumps, and uncomfortable times, but we had each other. And we know what the true meaning of Love is, and how it involves the truth. I strongly recommended this Bible Study!
December 28, 2016
I didn't really like this devotional. It had you flipping back and forth, and I just didn't really like the writing style. There are some good learnings, as she digs into scripture, but wasn't a big fan of how it was done.
Want to read
October 29, 2015Our church bible study for Fall 2015.
October 30, 2015
Bible study fall 2015. Great study. The book was ok, but I got more from the DVDs and the discussion afterword.
July 8, 2021
"What Love Is" is a 7 week Bible study on 1, 2, 3 John. The format for each week was: an introduction that was two pages long and some group discussion questions if you viewed the video. Then there were five days of study for each week. She started with a story from her life that was somewhat a parable for a point made that day or week. She asked reading comprehension questions on the verses being studied and provided commentary to explain the verses. She also asked questions to help the reader apply the lesson to your life.
There were two comfort-food recipes at the end of each week. To be honest, I felt like my fellow Bible study participants were more excited about the included recipes than the study. The author also repeatedly stated that she found the verses in that section difficult to understand and basically only really understood the simple verses. This made me wonder why she chose to do a Bible study on these letters and not on something that she better understood or had life experiences which could help add depth of understanding and insight to the verses. Overall, though, she did a good job of explaining the verses. She often quoted another person's explanation and said that she thought it was the best explanation. Not a bad study, but I didn't really get anything new from it.
There were two comfort-food recipes at the end of each week. To be honest, I felt like my fellow Bible study participants were more excited about the included recipes than the study. The author also repeatedly stated that she found the verses in that section difficult to understand and basically only really understood the simple verses. This made me wonder why she chose to do a Bible study on these letters and not on something that she better understood or had life experiences which could help add depth of understanding and insight to the verses. Overall, though, she did a good job of explaining the verses. She often quoted another person's explanation and said that she thought it was the best explanation. Not a bad study, but I didn't really get anything new from it.
February 28, 2018
As usual, Kelly Minter did not disappoint. Even though I didn't watch the corresponding videos, I learned and was blessed SO MUCH in this Bible Study. Kelly is simply down to earth, honest, loving, and very knowledgeable about the Scriptures. I now have a much better grasp on loving God and loving my neighbor. Some of my favorite quotes from this study include:
"The closest we will come to seeing God is by seeing the outpouring of His love given to others."
"You can't have love without truth and you can't have truth without love. Truth defines love and love expresses truth"
"Instead of dwelling on the person you are trying to love, dwell on the God who loved you first, and who in turn gives you the love to love that person."
"I ask too little of the Lord and I ask too narrowly. Little, in that I don't ask for more, and narrow in that I limit Him to what I think He can/should do."
"The closest we will come to seeing God is by seeing the outpouring of His love given to others."
"You can't have love without truth and you can't have truth without love. Truth defines love and love expresses truth"
"Instead of dwelling on the person you are trying to love, dwell on the God who loved you first, and who in turn gives you the love to love that person."
"I ask too little of the Lord and I ask too narrowly. Little, in that I don't ask for more, and narrow in that I limit Him to what I think He can/should do."
July 31, 2018
MINTER UNWRAPS LETTERS OF JOHN, SHOWS GOD'S LOVE
Kelly Minter's "What Love Is" Bible study examines 1, 2, and 3 John verse by verse and defines God's love and truth.
Currently, "truth" and "love" are often defined using circular logic, basing one idea on another shifting idea. In "What Love Is," readers will be reminded of many unchanging truths found in the Bible, namely that God loved us first, that He died for us, and came back to life so that we may have life to the fullest extent.
As Minter says, "You can't have love without truth and you can't have truth without love. Truth defines love and love expresses truth"
Read this book if you want...
...to learn your value as an individual loved by God.
...to have assurance of your relationship with Christ.
...to know how to love others well, without jealousy or selfish gain.
...to define truth outside of a shifting culture.
"What I am sharing with you is both old and new. It is old in that it is the Word of the Bible and it has been true for a long time. It is new because the old truth has met me in the context of my personal journey and is changing my life." - Reuben Welch in "What Love Is"
A note: Minter's studies are generally used for group study. This one is a six week course with five days per week. Each day averages four pages in length. The book includes recipes and discussion questions. If you have questions about this, don't hesitate to ask!
Kelly Minter's "What Love Is" Bible study examines 1, 2, and 3 John verse by verse and defines God's love and truth.
Currently, "truth" and "love" are often defined using circular logic, basing one idea on another shifting idea. In "What Love Is," readers will be reminded of many unchanging truths found in the Bible, namely that God loved us first, that He died for us, and came back to life so that we may have life to the fullest extent.
As Minter says, "You can't have love without truth and you can't have truth without love. Truth defines love and love expresses truth"
Read this book if you want...
...to learn your value as an individual loved by God.
...to have assurance of your relationship with Christ.
...to know how to love others well, without jealousy or selfish gain.
...to define truth outside of a shifting culture.
"What I am sharing with you is both old and new. It is old in that it is the Word of the Bible and it has been true for a long time. It is new because the old truth has met me in the context of my personal journey and is changing my life." - Reuben Welch in "What Love Is"
A note: Minter's studies are generally used for group study. This one is a six week course with five days per week. Each day averages four pages in length. The book includes recipes and discussion questions. If you have questions about this, don't hesitate to ask!
June 15, 2019
I absolutely loved the accompanying video lessons- those are 5 star for sure. The study book was a little too back and forth between different books for a 5 star rating of the text itself.
Her passion and love for John's epistles and his heart is evident throughout, and there are some great nuggets of wisdom she highlights from his letters.
I did this as a group study and the conversations we had were great.
Her passion and love for John's epistles and his heart is evident throughout, and there are some great nuggets of wisdom she highlights from his letters.
I did this as a group study and the conversations we had were great.
December 31, 2018
I’m so glad this bible study is over. It’s awful. There are a few good nuggets in here, mostly from other people she quotes, but by and large it was hard to follow. She didn’t make sense a lot and I will never do another one of her studies again. Grab Priscilla Shirer instead of any of hers.
September 11, 2019
I had just begun this study in 2015 right after I began to live differently....then 1 month later I found out I had thyroid cancer. I had a different perspective on my circumstances because I had immersed myself in what true love was about.
October 23, 2020
I have done all of Kelly's studies. I recommend them all. But this is one that I have done 3 times and gain new wisdom from it every time. It is so well written and she has such a way of application. Wonderful hard truths inside the letters of John and you will blessed inside this study!!
March 5, 2018
A great bible study book.
June 7, 2018
S1V1L1
March 18, 2020
I always enjoy bible studies. However, I struggled so much with this one. It wasn’t the right fit for me teaching wise.
April 26, 2020
Dense but so very good!
September 1, 2020
I worked through this bible study with a group of ladies. Nicely done.
November 2, 2021
4.5 stars. I loved her videos and her teaching
March 27, 2022
Worthy of another read through as it is choke full of great content that almost can’t be fully grasped in one.
May 17, 2022
Kelly Minter has done a fantastic job with John's letter writing. I love how John loves and how he knows that he is loved. I really enjoyed studying these lesser studied books of the Bible.
Read
August 31, 2022This author is not my cup of tea. Too perfect jesus girl vibe. 2015
March 17, 2024
Very good Bible study
March 26, 2024
Fantastic study. It really helps show healthy love is real love and clarified fake love and what it looks like. For someone who never felt truly loved and accepted or wanted, this helped me alot
October 15, 2024
This book is exactly what I look for in a Bible Study. It’s intentional, accurate, thought provoking, truth seeking and Bible focused. I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews