Our Savior Lutheran Church

1. What gives you the greatest joy in life?

2. What sort of people in your church are well thought of?

3. What famous people are presently the objects of malicious gossip in the tabloids?

Explore It

4. To whom was this letter addressed? (1:1)

5. For what did “the elder” pray? (1:2)

6. What gave the writer of 3 John great joy? (1:3-4)

7. In what was the recipient of this letter faithful? (1:5)

8. What information was circulating among the people in Gaius’s church? (1:6)

9. Why were “the brothers” sent out? (1:7)

10. Why did the elder say that believers ought to show hospitality to Christians who serve God? (1:8)

11. What did Diotrephes love? (1:9)

12. What was Diotrephes doing? (1:9-10)

13. What did the elder encourage Gaius to do? (1:11)

14. What is true about people who do good and people who do evil? (1:11)

15. What was commendable about Demetrius? (1:12)

16. Why is 3 John so short? (1:13-14)

17. What did the writer of 3 John hope to do? (1:14)

Get It

18. What does it mean to love someone in the truth?

19. If other believers were to give a report about you, how would they describe your faithfulness?

20. What about being a believer gives you joy?

21. In what area of life do you struggle to be faithful?

22. How can we show hospitality to other Christians?

23. In what situations do we love to be first, like Diotrephes?

24. What motivates people to gossip?

25. In what areas of your life do you need to do better at “imitating good” rather than evil?

26. What can you do to improve your record of faithfulness?

27. What kind of reputation do you have at your church?

Apply It

28. In what area of your life can you be more faithful this week?

29. To whom can you show hospitality this week?

30. In what way will you imitate good rather than evil today?

INTRODUCTION TO 3 JOHN

VITAL STATISTICS

PURPOSE: To commend Gaius for his hospitality and to encourage him in his Christian life

AUTHOR: The apostle John

TO WHOM WRITTEN: Gaius, a prominent Christian in one of the churches known to John; and all Christians

DATE WRITTEN: About A.D. 90, from Ephesus

SETTING: Church leaders traveled from town to town helping to establish new congregations. They depended on the hospitality of fellow believers. Gaius was one who welcomed these leaders into his home.

KEY VERSE: “Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you” (3 John 1:5).

KEY PEOPLE: John, Gaius, Diotrephes, Demetrius.

OVERVIEW

At special invitation or with a surprise knock, company arrives and with them comes the promise of soiled floors, extra laundry, dirty dishes, altered schedules, personal expense, and inconvenience. From sharing a meal to providing a bed, hospitality costs. . . in time, energy, and money. But how we treat others reflects our true values, what is really important to us. Do we see people as objects or inconveniences, or as unique creations of a loving God? And which is more important to God, a person or a carpet? Perhaps the most effective way to demonstrate God’s values and Christ’s love to others is to invite and welcome guests into our homes.

For Gaius, hospitality was a habit, and his reputation for friendship and generosity, especially to traveling teachers and missionaries (3 John 1:5), had spread. To affirm and thank Gaius for his Christian life—style, and to encourage him in his faith, John wrote this personal note.

John’s format for this letter centers around three men—Gaius, the example of one who follows Christ and loves others (3 John 1:1-8); Diotrephes, the self-proclaimed church leader who does not reflect God’s values (3 John 1:9-11); and Demetrius, who also follows the truth (3 John 1:12). John encourages Gaius to practice hospitality, continue to walk in the truth, and do what is right.

Although this is a personal letter, we can “look over the shoulder” of Gaius and apply its lessons to our lives. As you read 3 John, with which man do you identify? Are you a Gaius, generously giving to others? A Demetrius, loving the truth? Or a Diotrephes, looking out for yourself and your “things”? Determine to reflect Christ’s values in your relationships, opening your home and touching others with his love.

THE BLUEPRINT

John wrote to commend Gaius, who was taking care of traveling teachers and missionaries, and to warn against people like Diotrephes, who was proud and refused to listen to spiritual leaders in authority. If we are to live in the truth of the gospel, we must look for ways to support pastors, Christian workers, and missionaries today. All Christians should work together to support God’s work, both at home and around the world.

1. God’s children live by the standards of the gospel

(3 John 1:1-12)

2. John’s final words (3 John 1:13-15)

MEGATHEMES

THEME: Hospitality

EXPLANATION: John wrote to encourage those who were kind to others. Genuine hospitality for traveling Christian workers was needed then and is still important today.

IMPORTANCE: Faithful Christian teachers and missionaries need our support. Whenever you can extend hospitality to others, it will make you a partner in their ministry.

THEME: Pride

EXPLANATION: Diotrephes not only refused to offer hospitality, but he set himself up as a church boss. Pride disqualified him from being a real leader.

IMPORTANCE: Christian leaders must shun pride and its effects on them. Be careful not to misuse your position of leadership.

THEME: Faithfulness

EXPLANATION: Gaius and Demetrius were commended for their faithful work in the church. They were held up as examples of faithful, selfless servants.

IMPORTANCE: Don’t take for granted Christian workers who serve faithfully. Be sure to encourage them so they won’t grow weary of serving.