Today’s passage: 3 John 9-15

Helpful thoughts:

• Gaius’ warm hospitality and co-laboring with the Apostle John is held in contrast with the rejection and selfishness of Diotrephes.
  • It seems that Diotrephes was keeping this other church from hearing/seeing the letter that John had sent.
  • Diotrephes did not want to share authority with John, with these men that John had sent, or anyone else.  Diotrephes had to be first.
• John pulls no punches.  Gaius and Demetrius are from God (Believers).  Diotrephes has not seen God (An unbeliever).
• John was willing and ready to point out to others who was following the Lord and who to watch out for.  When there are false teachers around, sound the alarm!

Questions to consider:

1. What were the ways Diotrephes attempted to keep his grip on the church that he was trying to control?
2. Does John ever criticize Diotrephes’ doctrinal positions?  What do elders need to do beside affirming the right doctrine?
3. If John was going to come and make everyone aware of what Diotrephes was doing, what should the church he was holding hostage have been able to do?  Why is church membership and a biblical view of eldership so important?

Today’s passage: 3 John 5-8

Helpful thoughts:

• In 2 John, the elect lady needed encouragement to not welcome false teachers into her home.  In 3 John, Gaius is commended for showing hospitality to true ministers of the Gospel.
• Gaius’ love was exemplified in the acts of kindness toward these men in their need.  It encouraged not only these men, but all who became aware of it.
  • Our love for one another in Christ is contagious.  It benefits the whole body.
• The word “Gentiles” is being used in this context to refer to unbelievers.  It would be a bad testimony for these men to be taking money from unbelievers considering the work they were doing.  Christians ought to support the work as we serve together in a variety of ways to get the message to the world.

Questions to consider:

1. In what ways are the actions of Gaius similar to what we would experience in our support of missionaries today?
2. Why does it make sense for Christian people to be the ones financially supporting these ministries?
3. What does it mean to go out “for the sake of the name”?  How does the worship of Jesus bring joy to the people we reach with the Gospel message? (Psalm 67)

Today’s passage: 3 John 1-4

Helpful thoughts:

• It is right and good to pray for every aspect of a person’s life?
  • It is good to pray for people’s health.
  • It is good to pray for people’s souls and spiritual growth.
  • It is good to pray for the situations and daily activities we all face.
• Practicing what you preach is good…when you are preaching the truth.
  • Right thinking changes desires, which results in a change of our actions.
• Seeing people come to faith in Christ and grow in true righteousness brings great joy to the church!

Questions to consider:

1. What could the general topic of our prayers (Both individually and when we are together sharing requests) tell us about what we value?  What would it tell us about our willingness to engage with one another in spiritual growth?  What are some reasons we might refrain from sharing certain requests?
2. Why is the word “truth” so important in this passage?  Can a person be super “spiritual” and not be walking in truth?  What does it mean to walk in truth?
3. Who is the person (Who are the people) who greatly rejoices to see you walking in the truth?  Are you being discipled right now?  Who is a person (Or the people) who would say that you are that person for them?  Who are you actively discipling/evangelizing?  If those relationships are not there, what could you do to pursue them?