The Truth (3 John)
Lesson 6
The Truth
(3 JOHN)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read 3 John. This lesson references chapter 9 in Be Alert. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
The battle for truth and against apostasy is fought not only in the home (2 John) but especially in the local church, and that is where 3 John comes in. This little letter (the shortest New Testament epistle in the original Greek) gives us a glimpse into an early assembly, its people, and its problems. As you read this brief letter, you find yourself saying, “Times have not changed very much!” We have similar people and problems today!
—Be Alert, page 141
1. One of the key words in this letter is witness (3 John 3, “testified”; 3 John 6, 12, “report, bear record, record”). What is the significance of this in the context of the letter? Respond to this statement: Each Christian is a witness, either a good one or a bad one. How can good witnesses help the faith? How can bad witnesses hinder it?
More to Consider: This letter was addressed to Gaius, one of the leaders of the assembly. But John also discussed two other men in these verses—Diotrephes and Demetrius. What does this letter tell us about the diversity of people in a particular congregation? How is this true today? Which of these people do you want more of in your local church? How do you grow people to be that sort of person?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from 3 John that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
There is no question that the apostle John dearly loved Gaius! He called him “the well beloved” in his greeting, and “beloved” in 3 John 5. It is unlikely that these were merely formal terms, like our “Dear Mr. Jones.” (We may not even know Mr. Jones personally!) Third John 4 suggests that Gaius may have been one of John’s converts, and, of course, those we lead to faith in Christ are especially precious to us. However, the beloved apostle looked on all the believers as his “little children” (1 John 2:1, 12, 18), so we must not press this too far.
—Be Alert, page 142
3. What made Gaius such a great example of a man of God? Who are the Gaius people in your church today? What role do encouragers like Gaius play in the life of the church?
From the Commentary
It is clear that Gaius was a man whose spiritual health was evident to all. “Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16). Physical health is the result of nutrition, exercise, cleanliness, proper rest, and the disciplined order of a balanced life. Spiritual health is the result of similar factors. We must nourish ourselves with the Word, and then “work out” that nourishment in godly exercise (1 Tim. 4:6–7). We must keep ourselves clean (2 Cor. 7:1) and avoid the contamination and pollution that is in the world (2 Peter 1:4; James 1:27). While exercise and service are important, it is also important that we rest in the Lord and gain new strength through fellowship with Him (Matt. 11:28–30).
—Be Alert, page 142
4. Why is a balanced life (exercise and service, but also rest and fellowship) important for believers? How do we find a balanced life? (See Scripture passages in the excerpt above.) How does a balanced life honor God?
From Today’s World
Churches today are not that much different from the church of John’s time when it comes to the diversity of characters willing to serve. The early church counted on its members to provide for one another and others in the community, just as today’s church does. And the early church had both good and bad members—equally zealous in their tasks, whether helping or harming the goals of the church. One of the biggest differences between the church of today and the church of yesterday is that the number of serving opportunities today typically far exceeds that of the early church.
5. How does serving in the church bring out the best and the worst in people? What are the greatest challenges for church leadership today in organizing and distributing human resources? What can today’s church learn from John’s letter about how to deal with different types of church members and leaders?
From the Commentary
Gaius was recognized as a man who obeyed the Word of God and “walked in truth” (see 2 John 4). Some of the brethren had made several visits to John, and they had joyfully reported that Gaius was a glowing example of what a Christian ought to be. In my own pastoral experience, I must confess that I have often been a bit on edge when people have said to me, “Is Mrs. ___ a member of your church?” Or, even worse, “I know one of your members quite well!” John never had to fear when Gaius’s name came up!
—Be Alert, page 143
6. What made Gaius such a good testimony? What habits or actions did he take to present himself as a good testimony? What lessons does his example provide for today’s church?
From the Commentary
In this day of fear and violence, it is not easy to welcome strangers into our homes. Of course, in the early church, traveling ministers carried letters of recommendation from their own assemblies (Rom. 16:1); so it is important that we know something about the people we plan to entertain. However, it does take faith and love. As much as my wife and I enjoy sharing our home, we must confess that there have been times when bidding our guests good-bye brought a sense of happy relief! For the most part, however, our guests have truly been “angels unawares” whose presence was a blessing in our home.
Gaius not only opened his home, but he also opened his heart and his hand to give financial help to his guests. The phrase bring forward on their journey means “to assist on their journey.” This could have included providing money and food as well as washing and mending clothing (see 1 Cor. 16:6; Titus 3:13). After all, our faith must be proved by our works (James 2:14–16), and our love must be expressed by deeds, not just words (1 John 3:16–18).
—Be Alert, page 144
7. What was Gaius’s motivation for his practical ministry to the saints? (See vv. 6–8.) What exactly is “practical ministry” in this example? What are examples of practical ministry today?
From the Commentary
It seems like many churches have members who insist on “being boss” and having their own way. I must confess that sometimes it is the pastor who assumes dictatorial powers and forgets that the word minister means “a servant.” But sometimes it is an officer, perhaps a longtime member of the church, who thinks he or she has seniority rights.
Our Lord’s disciples often argued over which of them would be the greatest in the kingdom (Matt. 18:1ff.). Jesus had to remind them that their model for ministry was not the Roman official who lorded it over people, but the Savior Himself, who came as a humble servant (Phil. 2:1ff.). During my many years of ministry, I have seen the model for ministry change, and the church is suffering because of it. It appears that the “successful minister” today is more like a Madison Avenue tycoon than a submissive servant. In his hand he holds a wireless telephone, not a towel; in his heart is selfish ambition, not a love for lost souls and for God’s sheep.
—Be Alert, page 146
8. In what ways was Diotrephes motivated by pride? Contrast him to John the Baptist (see John 3:30). What is the proper and biblical way to deal with the Diotrephes people in our churches today?
More to Consider: The phrase “prating against us with malicious words” (v. 10) means “bringing false and empty charges against us.” What Diotrephes was saying about John was sheer nonsense. What does this story tell us about the dangers of rumor and speaking ill of others? What are some examples of this kind of dangerous speech in the history of your church? How does speaking badly of others—especially when what is said is false—damage the ministry of the church? What is a believer’s responsibility when he or she hears malicious words about someone in leadership?
From the Commentary
The church members who received John’s associates were dismissed from the church! Again, it was guilt by association. Diotrephes had neither the authority nor the biblical basis for throwing these people out of the church, but he did it. Even religious dictators have to be careful lest the opposition become too strong!
The New Testament does teach church discipline, and these instructions ought to be obeyed. But church discipline is not a weapon for a dictator to use to protect himself. It is a tool for a congregation to use to promote purity and glorify God. It is not a pastor “throwing weight around” or a church board acting like a police court. It is the Lord exercising spiritual authority through a local church in order to rescue and restore an erring child of God.
—Be Alert, pages 148–49
9. In what ways was Diotrephes a “church dictator”? How can we identify this type of person in the church? Why are such people dangerous to a church’s health?
From the Commentary
According to the dictionary, an exemplar is “an ideal, a model, an example worthy to be imitated.” Demetrius was that kind of a Christian. John warned his readers not to imitate Diotrephes. “If you want to imitate an example, then follow Demetrius!”
But is it right for us to imitate human leaders? Yes, if they in turn are imitating Jesus Christ. “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example” (Phil. 3:17). “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). You and I cannot see God, but we can see God at work in the lives of His children. The godly life and dedicated service of another believer is always an encouragement and a stimulus to me. By our good example, we can “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Heb. 10:24).
—Be Alert, pages 149–50
10. What made Demetrius a man worth imitating? What role did submitting to authentic spiritual authority play in this circumstance? What role does it play in today’s church?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of 3 John. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. When have you been an encourager like Gaius? What makes it easy for you to play that role in ministry? What makes it difficult to play that role?
12. What are your greatest ministry strengths? Do you teach? Do you encourage? Do you offer hospitality? If you aren’t sure what your best roles are in the church, what can you do to discover them?
13. Working with difficult people is a fact of life. What are some positive examples when you had to work with someone difficult? What are some examples of failed working relationships? What can you learn from John’s letter to help you better work alongside difficult or wrong-minded people?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you want to be more of an encourager like Gaius? Be specific. Go back through 3 John and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Idea: It’s encouragement time! This week, choose four or five people in your church—or outside of it—who could use some encouragement. Then do something specific for each of those people to encourage them in the faith. Be as creative as you want, but be sure to offer encouragement that’s appropriate and customized to each person. And remember, this isn’t about you—it’s all about them.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence) inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve noted in the Going Forward section. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Jude 1–16. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapters 10, “A Call to Arms!,” and 11, “Meet the Apostates!,” in Be Alert.