The Significance of 2 John

As part of the requirements for one of my seminary classes, all students were required to follow a guided template in explaining the significance of certain books of the Bible. Below is the third one about 2 John.

The summary follows four main parts: The purpose of the book (including the argument), a short summary of the book, what I want the audience to know regarding knowledge and action, and finally how this book will affect my personal character development. Each of us will be different in how 2 John challenges us to grow and it is also dependent on the season of life we are in. Certain themes are more prominent in different seasons that help us grow and stick out more to us. God will speak into our lives through Scripture to tell us what He wants us to hear. You can read the same passage a year later and be reminded of a different truth that is important.

This post will focus on the significance of 2 John.

The Significance of 2 John to Your Life & Ministry

1. State briefly the purpose and argument of the book? (Give references to support your statements). What I want you to do here is (1) discern the importance of what this book teaches well enough to remember it; (2) the argument is trying to assess how the author develops and accomplishes his purpose.
   1. Purpose (Major Theme or Purpose): The purpose of 2 John is to walk in love, obedience and truth (vv. 3, 6, 4). .
   2. Argument (What is the author trying to accomplish and how is he doing it?): John accomplishes his purpose by showing that the “antichrists” were still at work (vv. 7-8). They were the false teachers John had previously warned about who rejected the incarnation. John was telling the readers to not extend hospitality to these deceivers (vv. 10-11). Also, John was showing his readers the joy they brought him by “walking in the truth” (v. 4). John commends the recipient (“elect lady”) for her adherence to truth and for the audience’s love. John shows them how he wants to visit them and wishes the letter could be longer (v. 12).

2. Give a short paragraph of how this book fits into the overall message or argument of the whole Bible. Support your statements with passages from the OT & NT. Give cross-references from both Testaments—(like chapter and verse, 2:12 for example; “passages” means more than one)?3. What do I want my congregation, audience, or study group to apply after studying this book? What would I want them NOT to forget? What does it do for YOU?

3. KNOWING/MEMORY – Give four (4) PRINCIPLES (values; ethical standards; doctrines; main beliefs) that you gleaned from this book and that you and your congregation will think of and remember when the book is named. These should be appropriate to the text, so GIVE REFERENCES (chapters and verses) for each. 
   • We are to show Christian hospitality to others, but we must be mindful of who we show hospitality to (2 John 1:10-11).
     • I want the audience to remember that we are called to offer hospitality to others. Our homes are to be open and used as a ministry to those around us. We should look for ways to serve others and show kindness, love, mercy, and grace to the less fortunate. We should strive see others as God sees us. However, as Christians we need to be careful that our hospitality does not aid or further false teaching. It is a duty of the Christian to open their homes to missionary brethren or others in need, but we cannot aid the enemy.
   • Examine the teachings of others against the Word of God (2 John 1:7-9).
     • I would like the audience to remember that there are many “antichrists” at work that are trying to destroy true belief. While a pastor may claim to be a Christian and speak the truth of God, their teachings must be examined to see if it matches up against God’s Word (Romans 12:1-2). I would like for the audience to hear what someone is saying, then test it by looking at that teaching in the context of Scripture and the entire passage. If the person is promoting false doctrine, then the audience will have evidence that they are to leave and can help others get out of that false teaching.
   • Walking in the truth as Christ walked and lived in the truth (2 John 1:4).
     • I want the audience to remember that in the midst of a hostile world, believers can exemplify Jesus by living godly lives. Living like Christ is exemplified as we walk in truth. Walking in the truth is exactly what God commanded us, but it also gives God great joy when we follow His commands and live faithfully. I want the audience to see the life lived in truth provides a life full of joy. The joy is seen and felt in our spirit inside of us but also felt with a greater relationship with our Father.
   • Walking in love is living in obedience to the commands of God (2 John 1:5-6).
     • The audience should remember that we are to love others, just as God loved us first, so should we love. We can love because of the Father’s love. I want the audience to remember all the ways God loves us and think about those ways, but also look for ways to show others love. While we can show love to others in various ways, one of best ways to love is by obeying God’s commands. As we obey and live in truth, we show our love to God.

4. DOING/ACTION – What you will lead others to do that is based on the text or passage that suggested this action. You are required to do two (2) of these and be sure to give references It must be supported by a particular text, so be sure to give chapters and verses, example 2:12.

• Develop ways to encourage hospitality (2 John 1:10-11).
  • Work with small groups to encourage them to find ways to be hospitable to those around them.
  • Develop a take home device (magnet, bookmark, etc.) that can remind the audience of 2 John 1:10-11 with other hospitality verses that will prompt thoughts of hospitality
  • Write several blog posts on hospitality. A secondary focus will be to not only show the readers how to be hospitable, but how to see God can use these hospitable activities for something great.
• Develop ways to help others walk in love and obedience (2 John 1:5-6)
  • Design and create a special four week class outside of normal service that focuses on what it means to live in love and walk in obedience. The speaker can give practical guidance on how the audience can do this daily and what it looks like to apply. o Provide opportunities for service within the church for members to serve and show love to the church and others. This could be doing a trash clean-up, donating items to a church food bank, volunteering in the nursery, or anything else that will help the volunteers show love.
  • Encourage small groups to talk about love and obedience. As they discuss these ways, examine how they can show love to one another by doing something special for other members of the group.

5. BEING/PERSONAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT –What one (1) thing touched your heart, as you were reading/studying this book? Tell what it was and what text influenced you – Scripture reference(s) required. What you are going to do about it?

• The thing that touched me most about 2 John was how we can live in truth and love with Christ. It is amazing that God gives us such access to Him. John lays out several ways we can follow Christ, by walking in truth, love, and obedience (2 John 1:3-6). As we walk closely with Christ, our joy increases because we obey the Father and our actions show Jesus. This short book provides reminders of how we can love each other better.
• What am I going to do: First, I will take time daily to thank God for Him and His love (2 John 1:5-6). Second, I will pray every hour for ways I can show His love and obey Him. Finally, I will write down the ways God showed me love every day.