Our Savior Lutheran Church

1. Who is someone to whom you have written recently?

2. Why is starting something (an exercise program, for example) relatively easy, while continuing it is usually more difficult?

Explore It

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

4. Who wrote this letter? Why? (1:1-2)

5. What unique characteristic do Christians have? (1:2)

6. What did the elder say would be with him in truth and love? (1:3)

7. What gave the elder great joy? (1:4)

8. What command did the writer give to his readers? (1:5)

9. What is love? (1:6)

10. What did many false teachers of John’s day deny? (1:7)

11. What did the elder encourage his readers to do? (1:8)

12. What is true about someone who does or does not continue in the teaching of Christ? (1:9)

13. Who was the reader of this letter not to welcome into his or her house? Why? (1:10-11)

14. Why did John not want to write all that he had to say? (1:12)

15. Who shared in John’s greeting? (1:13)

Get It

16. In what way does truth live in us?

17. When has it given you joy to see another believer walking in the truth?

18. How should we show our love for one another?

19. What does it mean to continue in the teaching of Christ?

20. What does it mean not to welcome a person who does not share in the teaching of Christ?

21. How would welcoming someone without correct teaching about Christ be sharing in his or her wickedness?

22. How can we avoid false teachers without being cold or inhospitable?

23. What sort of people should you deny a welcome into your home?

Apply It

24. What specific steps will you take this week to demonstrate your love for other believers?

25. What can you do today to continue in the teaching of Christ?

INTRODUCTION TO 2 JOHN

VITAL STATISTICS

PURPOSE: To emphasize the basics of following Christ—truth and love—and to warn against false teachers

AUTHOR: The apostle John

TO WHOM WRITTEN: To “the chosen lady” and her children—or possibly to a local church, and all believers everywhere

DATE WRITTEN: About the same time as 1 John, around A.D. 90, from Ephesus

SETTING: Evidently this woman and her family were involved in one of the churches that John was overseeing—they had developed a strong friendship with John. John was warning her of the false teachers who were becoming prevalent in some of the churches.

KEY VERSE: “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love” (2 John 1:6).

KEY PEOPLE: John, the chosen lady, and her children.

OVERVIEW

TRUTH and love are frequently discussed in our world, but seldom practiced.

From politicians to salesmen, people conveniently ignore or conceal facts and use words to enhance positions or sell products. Perjury is common, and integrity and credibility are endangered species. Words, twisted in meaning and torn from context, have become mere tools for ego building. It is not surprising that we have to “swear” to tell the truth.

And what about love? Our world is filled with its words—popular songs, greeting cards, media counselors, and romantic novels shower us with notions and dreams of ethereal, idyllic relationships and feelings. Real love, however, is scarce—selfless giving, caring, sharing, and even dying. We yearn to love and be loved but see few living examples of real love. Plentiful are those who grasp, hoard, and watch out for “number one.”

Christ is the antithesis of society’s prevailing values, that is, falsehood and self-centeredness—for he is truth and love, in person. Therefore, all who claim loyalty to him must be committed to these ideals—following the truth and living the truth, reflecting love and acting with love toward one another.

The apostle John had seen Truth and Love firsthand—he had been with Jesus. So affected was this disciple that all of his writings, from the Gospel to the book of Revelation, are filled with this theme—truth and love are vital to the Christian and are inseparable in the Christian life. Second John, his brief letter to a dear friend, is no different. John says to walk in the truth and obey God (2 John 1:4), watch out for deceivers (2 John 1:7), and love God and each other (2 John 1:6).

Second John will take just a few minutes to read, but its message should last a lifetime. As you reflect on these few paragraphs penned by the wise and aged follower of Christ, recommit yourself to being a person of truth, of love, and of obedience.

THE BLUEPRINT

False teachers were a dangerous problem for the church to which John was writing. His warning against showing hospitality to false teachers may sound harsh and unloving to many today. Yet these men were teaching heresy that could seriously harm many believers—for eternity.

1. Watch out for false teachers (2 John 1:1-11)

2. John’s final words (2 John 1:12-13)

MEGATHEMES

THEME: Truth

EXPLANATION: Following God’s Word, the Bible, is essential to Christian living, because God is truth. Christ’s true followers consistently obey his truth.

IMPORTANCE: To be loyal to Christ’s teaching we must seek to know the Bible, but we may never twist its message to our own needs or purposes, nor encourage others who misuse it.

THEME: Love

EXPLANATION: Christ’s command is for Christians to love one another. This is the basic ingredient of true Christianity.

IMPORTANCE: To obey Christ fully, we must believe his command to love others. Helping, giving, and meeting needs put love into practice.

THEME: False Leaders

EXPLANATION: We must be wary of religious leaders who are not true to Christ’s teaching. We should not give them a platform to spread false teaching.

IMPORTANCE: Don’t encourage those who are opposed to Christ. Politely remove yourself from association with false leaders. Be aware of what’s being taught in your church.