Dig In:
Passage: 3 John
Dig Deeper:
Chapter Summary
v1-4 - John greets his friend Gaius. Two key themes come up already in these opening verses: 1) How much joy is spread when people walk in the Lord. It definitely brings joy to those walking in faithfulness, and it brings even more joy to those around them, especially to those who helped build them up in the Lord; 2) The importance of being faithful to the truth (v1, 3, 4). This is a much needed reminder for our day and age as well.
v5-8 - One of the most complemented traits in the Bible is that of being hospitable, and John commends Gaius for being so. In v8, John says that those who show hospitality are equal partners with missionaries who go out spreading the gospel!
v9-10 - Even in the earliest days of the church, there were already those who tried to pull people's attention to things away from the gospel. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Be on guard for people like Diotrephes!
v11-12 - Thankfully John doesn't dwell on the bad apple for long, but commends Demetrius. Notice in v12 that Demetrius' primary positive aspect is that "he is well spoken by everyone - and even by truth itself." As a child of God, work hard to find the truth in every situation you face, align yourself with it and be faithful to it.
v13-15 - John concludes his brief letter.
Old Testament Reference -
Genesis 18:1-15 tells of how Abram extended hospitality to three visitors that turned out to be angelic manifestations of God Himself!
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions. For every comment or reply you post, you will receive an entry for this month's prize: a gift certificate to Seed & Stem 12:27
If this small book was the only portion of Scripture you had access to, what conclusions could you make from it about how to live the Christian life?
Question 1 is from The Complete Bible Discussion Guide: New Testament
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: God, whose Name is the overflowing fountain of all that is good and all that is true (v7, 11)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for strength to recognize and be faithful to the truth like Gaius and Demetrius were (v12)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
