The Bible is much more than a holy book or sacred text—it’s God’s Word to humanity. Yet, it is, indeed, a book—pages filled with written text to communicate a message. So, as writers, we do well to consider what we might learn about writing from the Bible.
Lately, I’ve been inspired by the apostle John’s writing. John referred to himself as a bondservant of Jesus—literally, a slave who is completely surrendered to his master’s will without any regard for his own (Rev. 1:1). His written words are saturated with a sincere desire for the good of his readers. So, his books and letters provide excellent examples of how we, as God-glorifying writers, can serve our readers well.
5 Writing Lessons From the Apostle John
My list of practical writing lessons from John’s written works is long and continually growing, but I want to give you a taste. Here are five ways we can serve our readers according to John’s example.
1. Write as a Testimony
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:1-3).
Here, John emphasizes his firsthand experience with Jesus. He isn’t merely sharing his opinion or secondhand knowledge—he’s testifying as someone who heard, saw, and touched Christ firsthand. This adds credibility to John’s message, but also shows how the message was deeply personal.
We serve our readers best when we write from the truth God has worked into our own hearts instead of merely repeating what we’ve heard or read from others. We must let our words flow from personal transformation rather than borrowed knowledge. This means prioritizing time in God’s Word and allowing him to shape our lives before we share with others.
2. Prioritize Authenticity
“I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 1:9).
Here, John identifies with his readers as a brother and partner in suffering, showing that he’s not above them but alongside them in the challenges of following Christ. He doesn’t just teach from a distance—he shares in their tribulation, kingdom work, and need for endurance.
Throughout his writings, John doesn’t explicitly share personal struggles the way Paul does, but he does express deep emotions and personal experiences in a way that makes his writing authentic and relatable.
People connect with honesty and vulnerability more than polished perfection. We serve our readers well by sharing our own struggles and victories in a way that resonates with them. Presenting ourselves as someone who “has it all together” doesn’t serve our readers well because it’s not reality.
3. Live What You Write
“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:6).
John emphasized that if we claim to follow Christ, our lives must reflect his example. This aligns perfectly with the idea that we must “practice what we preach,” ensuring that our words match our way of life.
The call to write for God’s glory is a call to live for his glory. This begins by drawing near to him. Let’s seek accountability from people who know us personally to ensure our lives align with the truth we share.
4. Stay Humble
“I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God’” (Revelation 22:8-9).
While John doesn’t explicitly say, “I’m still learning,” his writings reflect humility and a sense of shared growth with his readers. In this passage from Revelation, John tells of a mistake he made—attempting to worship an angel—and the correction he received. By recording this, he demonstrates humility, showing that he’s not above making errors.
Also, in 1 John 1:8, John includes himself when acknowledging human fallibility:
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).
By using “we,” John identifies with his readers, acknowledging that he, too, is in need of God’s grace.
Writing for God’s glory requires humility. We must guard against placing ourselves above our readers by recognizing that we’re still learning and growing, too. A teachable heart keeps us on level ground with those we serve, reminding us that we’re all in need of God’s grace.
One way we can practice humility as writers is by seeking peer critique (or editing) on our works in progress. Receiving constructive criticism also serves our readers well by improving our writing.
5. Pray for Your Readers
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul” (3 John 2).
John prayed for his readers, demonstrating genuine love for them and care for their physical and spiritual well-being.
When we pray for others, our love for them grows. By praying for our readers, we actively serve them, and the words we write for them become an extension of our prayers for their good.
Serve Your Readers Well
These five principles from John’s writing offer us a practical framework for serving through our words.
Our writing serves readers best when it flows from a heart fully surrendered to Christ—the heart of a bondservant. The beautiful irony is that in becoming bondservants like John, we find true freedom as writers. Free from the pressure to impress. Free from platform anxiety. Free to simply testify to what we’ve seen, heard, and experienced of God’s goodness.
May our words, like John’s, serve our readers by leading them into deeper fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
This post originally appeared as Writing Tips from the Bible on my Wield The Word Substack in April 2025.
