The Significance of 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 John.

The Significance of 3 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 theme of 3 John is to walking in truth that results in supporting each other for the truth (vv. 3, 8). Also, John wants to ensure that hospitality would be shown by Gaius to the visiting Demetrius. While John hopes to visit soon, Diotrephes had refused to extend hospitality to others. John’s secondary purpose is to give encouragement to Gaius and for Demetrius to have the needed hospitality (3 John 1:12).
   2. Argument (What is the author trying to accomplish and how is he doing it?): John accomplishes his purpose by giving a personal example of hospitality (v. 5) and challenging the readers to work together for the truth (vv. 6-8). John provides criticism of Diotrephes and will confront him when John visits (vv. 9-10). John appeals to his readers to imitate good not evil (v. 11).
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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? 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. 
   • One of the best ways to serve God is by being hospitable to His workers (3 John 1:5-8) o 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 see others as God sees us. When we open our homes to our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are honoring God by being faithful, especially when they are in need or supported by the local church. Then, when they are ready to move on, we should ensure they are adequately supplied to as much as we can possibly give, that way we can support the body of Christ and the spreading of the Gospel.
   • Be wary of those who promote themselves and their agenda over the Word of God (3 John 1:9).
     • I would like the audience to remember that there are many “antichrists” at work that are trying to destroy true belief (2 John 1:7-9). 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 that 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. In particular, if a pastor seems to promote himself or his work over the Bible or rejects what the Bible says, like Diotrephes (vv. 9-10), we need to offer discipline to that pastor. If that doesn’t work, then they must be sent on their way.
   • The faithful life is not one of negatives or what one cannot do, but a life that is filled with joy (3 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 right. I want the audience to see the life lived in truth provides a life full of joy. That joy is seen in our spirit inside of us but also felt with a greater relationship with our Father. While this world points out all that a Christian cannot do, the believer can find a life of obedience leads to a life filled with inexpressible joy. Therefore, we should imitate what is good because that is of God, and imitate evil like those who do not follow God (v. 11).
   • Walking in truth leads to supporting the body of Christ (3 John 1:5-8).
     • The audience should remember that we are to love others. Just as God loved us first, so we should 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

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 fellow Christians to live faithfully and be joyful about others faith (2 John 1:10-11). o Work with small groups to encourage them to celebrate everyone’s small wins of faith. This means members share stories from the past week where the individual acted or did something that was done faithfully for God. o In Sunday school classes, provide some time at the beginning for any special moments of faith where the individuals obediently served God. This may mean evangelizing to someone, serving at a shelter, or some out of the normal giving to help those in need. o Provide resources and ideas in the bulletin or through an announcement of ways the congregation can serve and get involved in the community. Also, ensure the website is updated with the list of service opportunities or needs.
• Develop ways to support other believers in need (3 John 1:5-8) o Design and create a missionary board where members can see all the missionaries the church supports and “adopt” them. This board can also list needs that the missionaries have. This will help the congregation identify with the missionaries and provide tangible ways to support them. o When a missionary is visiting or coming back from the field, send out a communication to the members to anyone willing to open their home for the missionary. They can also provide meals or gatherings to help bring community to the missionary. 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. This would also include a list of elderly or disabled individuals who need help around their homes. o 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 3 John was how the readers acted faithfully in supporting Demetrius and other Christian brothers (3 John 1:5-8, 11-12). I do not think my church does a good job at sharing the needs of our missionaries or other members within the church. I love the generosity of these readers to offer such great hospitality and help to those in need. That help and service testifies to the love of the church (v. 6).
• What am I going to do: First, I will ask the church for ways I can support any supported missionaries or members in need (v. 8). Second, I will contact the missionaries for their needs and pray for them regularly. Finally, I give a portion of my tithe to a certain missionary or missionary organization.