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11

An example to follow and one to avoid when walking in the truth

3 John 1: 1-13

  • Session: 11
  • Week: 2
  • Day: 4
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Introduction

In this chapter, 3 John 1: 1-15, we seek to understand the three types of elders in the church and their characteristics. John commended some, commanded the other, condemned some, and cautioned about the others. The study helps us discover appropriate and inappropriate elements of true fellowship (holy communion) and their effects on the quality of fellowship in a hostile culture. Further, the session will focus on the two most critical attributes in a true fellowship: hospitality, loyalty, and disloyalty.

Objectives

By the end of this session, the learner will have:

  • Discovered appropriate and inappropriate elements of true fellowship (holy communion) and their effects on the quality of fellowship in a hostile culture by listing them from the verses provided.
  • Appreciated hospitality and loyalty as appropriate responses and practices to believers living under hostility by defining the elements of hospitality and loyalty
  • Discovered the dangers of disloyalty in serving the Persecuted Church by examining the case study of elder Diotrephes.
  • Understood the place of online (media) and offline (face-to-face 👀) transformative learning methods by examining verses 13-15 given.

Outline

  • Appropriate and inappropriate elements of fellowship
  • Loyalty and disloyalty
  • Practicing hospitality

Group Study Time

3 John 1: 1-13

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

  • Who wrote this letter? What did he call himself and why? 3 John 1: 1.
  • Read 3 John 1:1. Who received this letter? What is revealed about their relationship levels in the Holy communion, fellowship?
  • What was John’s prayer to Gaius in verse 2? Pause and make this prayer right now to your ministry partners, children, or parents.
  • Read 3 John 1: 3-8. Why was John commending or praising Elder Gaius? What was he asked to continue doing in this holy communion, fellowship?
  • What is hospitality in the holy communion, fellowship, or Koinonia? What is revealed about hospitality in verses 3-8? Why is hospitality one of the best responses to strengthening believers living in a hostile culture?
  • What is disloyalty in the fellowship? How does disloyalty affect the quality of the fellowship, especially in hostile territories?
  • Read 3 John 1: 9-11. From the bad example of elder Diotrephes, list at least 5 qualities revealed about disloyalty in the fellowship. (i.e., what is it, how does it manifest, why is it dangerous in fellowship and communion of saints)
  • Read 3 John 1:12. From the good example of Elder Demetrius, what is a loyal partnership in the ministry? What is revealed about loyalty in the fellowship? Why do you think loyalty to leadership could be another appropriate response in serving the persecuted Church?
  • Read 3 John 1: 13-15. What is revealed about online (mediated methods) and offline (face-to-face) methods of gathering during persecution? (Blended learning methods)

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.

Post Lesson Teaching Summary

Great job completing the study! Take a moment to listen to this summary to reinforce your group’s understanding of the text and ensure you’re all on the same page. We’re here to support your learning journey!

An example to follow and one to avoid when walking in the truth

3 John 1: 1-13

2 John 1:1-13

  • Context:
    • John, the last apostle, writes to counter heresies denying Jesus’ incarnation, using Luke 15 brothers to reflect Jews/Gentiles in a persecuted fellowship.
    • Addressed to the “chosen lady” (a church), the letter offers commendation, commandment, and caution for victorious living amidst external persecution and internal perversion.
  • Commendation for Truth (2 John 1:1-4):
    • John, the elder, greets the church and its members, loved in truth (Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and return), rejoicing that some walk in truth as God commanded (v. 1-4).
    • Mercy sustains their fidelity amidst deception.
  • Commandment to Love (2 John 1:5-6):
    • John reiterates the old yet ever-relevant command: love one another by obeying God’s commands, as taught from the beginning (v. 5-6).
    • Mercy binds fellowship through obedient love.
  • Caution Against Deceivers (2 John 1:7-11):
    • Beware deceivers—antichrists denying Jesus’ incarnation—who left the church (v. 7); hold fast to Christ’s teaching to secure rewards and relationship with God, avoiding those who spread falsehood (v. 8-11).
    • Mercy protects from losing truth’s gains.
  • Closing Hope (2 John 1:12-13):
    • John anticipates a face-to-face visit for complete joy, relaying greetings from a sister church (v. 12-13).
    • Mercy fosters unity and hope in fellowship.
  • Application:
    • Walk in Jesus’ truth, love one another obediently, and shun deceivers—mercy empowers victorious living against persecution and heresy, preserving fellowship’s joy.
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How to use these studies

These lessons are designed as short, 25-minute studies based on Bible truths, and meant for self-learning or small group study. The study sets systematically cover different books of the Bible. 

Each lesson follows a simple structure:

  • Introduction (Including the outline and objectives)
  • Step 1: Connecting
  • Step 2: Comprehending
  • Step 3: Committing
  • Step 4: Communicating

These sections include questions to help you reflect on the bible passage and how it applies to your life. 

Use these lessons to disciple others by journeying together over time and allowing God’s word to penetrate your heart and bring transforming change to your life. As a leader, pray for wisdom in leading and for modelling the truths in your own life.

Sharing offline

  • Mobile Friendly PDF
  • Print Friendly PDF
  • Full Study PDF

Each lesson has three buttons allowing you to download a easily saveable and shareable PDF version of the study. You can choose either a Mobile-friendly PDF version, and Print-friendly PDF version, or a print version of the Full Study PDF (for example all the lessons in the current book of the Bible).

These are free and can be easily copied and shared from one person to another!

Gathering a Small Group

Start small to build a safe space for sharing and growth.

  • Pray first: Ask God to show you 3-6 people who need encouragement in faith, like family, neighbors, or fellow believers facing hardship.
  • Invite personally: Meet one-on-one, explain how the lessons are designed to help people grow in their faith and knowledge of God and his Word.
  • Keep it simple: Meet in a home or quiet spot; no need for fancy setup – just willing hearts.
  • Aim for consistency: Suggest weekly meetings, but be flexible for busy lives or safety concerns in persecuted areas.

Trust helps everyone open up, reflect, and apply truths without fear.

  • Start with sharing: In the first meeting, share simple stories of your own faith struggles to show vulnerability.
  • Set ground rules: Agree to listen without judging, keep stories private, and focus on encouraging each other.
  • Build bonds: Begin each session with a short prayer or song inviting God to be present with you.
  • Be patient: Trust grows over time – encourage quiet members gently, and celebrate small steps of honesty.

Good preparation makes the lesson flow and helps discipleship.

  • Read ahead: Study the lesson before; pray over the Bible passage and think how it fits your group’s challenges.
  • Adapt for the group: Use simple words; if literacy is low, read aloud slowly and explain questions or stories.
  • Gather basics: Have a Bible (in your language) and paper for notes.
  • Reflect personally: Ask yourself the study questions first – lead from your own growth and experience.
  • Pray: Pray for your group members.

Guide the group through the lesson structure to encourage discovery and commitment.

  • Step 1 – Connecting: Start the group meeting by praying together. Thank God for his Word and ask for open hearts to receive it. Read the Bible passage together (Read it aloud twice; ask someone to repeat in their words.)
  • Step 2: Comprehending: Use the provided questions to help you grapple with the truth of the Bible passage.
  • Step 3 – Committing: Consider how the passage might apply to your lives and what simple steps of obedience you can commit to. The goal of these studies if life-change! Not just knowledge!
  • Step 4 – Communicating:  Think of who you can share the truths you have learned with.
  • Close with Prayer: Let group members pray short prayers of thanks or commitment. Pray for one another.

For many of the lessons, there is a short summary teaching voice-note at the end of the lesson (together with a text summary). This is designed to be a recap and reminder of the key lessons you should have learned through the lesson. 

As a leader, you might like to use these summary teaching resources to help you in preparation for leading your group, though ideally not before you have spent time prayerfully reflecting on the passage.

This is an ongoing discipleship journey aiming to transform lives and help people to live victorious Christian lives. Focus on growth, not just finishing lessons.

  • Meet regularly: Join together at least once a week. Review past actions at each start to build accountability.
  • Encourage reflection: Between meetings, urge personal time with the lesson – read, pray, and try complete commitments made.
  • Support one another: If your group members are facing challenges, use lessons to pray together and share burdens; become “agents of change” by helping others in your community.
  • Multiply groups: As trust grows, encourage members to start their own small groups with family or friends.
  • Keep it short: Stick to 15 – 25 minutes per lesson to fit busy, challenging lives.
  • Handle challenges: If fear or hardship arise, encourage members by always pointing back to God’s love. 
  • Stay safe: In persecuted areas, meet discreetly; focus on heart change over big displays.
  • Celebrate progress: Note how people have grown in faith; allow time for sharing testimonies of what God has done. Take note of what you pray for, and give thanks when God answers prayer.

Final encouragement

Leading these lessons is serving like Jesus – humble, loving, and truthful. As you journey together, God will build growing faith into each person’s life. Pray often, and watch lives transform!

If you would like to share stories of faith from your own communities, please get in touch with us!