Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
i love how john talks about “soul prospering” in verse 2. it is something that we don’t often talk about. our soul as being its own entity with its own needs to grow. very neat.
i also love the way he calls them his “children.”
and this brief mentioning of this man, “Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them”. what an interesting title for someone. 🙂
this situation sounds so intriguing, i wish we had more specifics. it sounds so similar to situations i have experienced or heard about.
but in the end, john leaves us with a similar warning to the rest of the things he has said in his letters, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.” yet again appealing to a common knowledge base that he expects those he is writing to to have, he does not attempt to define good or evil.
and, i think my favorite part of not only this letter but the last as well, “I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.”
how often, now that i have been blogging for three years, have i desired to be able to say these words myself! how i would love to be able to sit down wih each of you and speak of these things face to face. hopefully someday, we will be able to. 🙂
i love how john talks about “soul prospering” in verse 2. it is something that we don’t often talk about. our soul as being its own entity with its own needs to grow. very neat.
i also love the way he calls them his “children.”
and this brief mentioning of this man, “Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them”. what an interesting title for someone. 🙂
this situation sounds so intriguing, i wish we had more specifics. it sounds so similar to situations i have experienced or heard about.
but in the end, john leaves us with a similar warning to the rest of the things he has said in his letters, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.” yet again appealing to a common knowledge base that he expects those he is writing to to have, he does not attempt to define good or evil.
and, i think my favorite part of not only this letter but the last as well, “I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.”
how often, now that i have been blogging for three years, have i desired to be able to say these words myself! how i would love to be able to sit down wih each of you and speak of these things face to face. hopefully someday, we will be able to. 🙂
Yes Jon, it would be nice to sit down and talk face to face. Might be kinda strange though. I have this mental picture of what everyone is like, and they might not be like what I think at all! (and I might not be like what you think, lol)
The specifics of the situation would be great. It is not clear to me who is being put out of the church in V.10. Those extending hospitality, which is what it sounds like in the NIV? Or those who should be receiving hospitality, which is what it sound like in The Message?
Diotrephes is described as one who “loves being in charge” in The Message. Sounds like someone who is controlling – haven’t they been around forever!
Yes Jon, it would be nice to sit down and talk face to face. Might be kinda strange though. I have this mental picture of what everyone is like, and they might not be like what I think at all! (and I might not be like what you think, lol)
The specifics of the situation would be great. It is not clear to me who is being put out of the church in V.10. Those extending hospitality, which is what it sounds like in the NIV? Or those who should be receiving hospitality, which is what it sound like in The Message?
Diotrephes is described as one who “loves being in charge” in The Message. Sounds like someone who is controlling – haven’t they been around forever!
Talking about “soul prospering” reminds me of Horatio Gates Spafford who wrote the hymn, It is well with my soul, in the midst of great personal tragedy.
Talking about “soul prospering” reminds me of Horatio Gates Spafford who wrote the hymn, It is well with my soul, in the midst of great personal tragedy.
v.4 John’s greatest joy is to hear that people are continuing in faith. It’s great when you hear about people coming to faith but it is a greater joy when people continue.
v.4 John’s greatest joy is to hear that people are continuing in faith. It’s great when you hear about people coming to faith but it is a greater joy when people continue.
I also focused on this verse
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well”
Was Gaius in poor health? Was he feeling like everything was just crashing down around him?
All of this was happening even as his soul was getting along well. It sounds familiar doesn’t it.
I also focused on this verse
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well”
Was Gaius in poor health? Was he feeling like everything was just crashing down around him?
All of this was happening even as his soul was getting along well. It sounds familiar doesn’t it.
Good to have you drop by Mike. Yes it’s good to know despite our outward circumstances our soul can be going well.
Good to have you drop by Mike. Yes it’s good to know despite our outward circumstances our soul can be going well.
v.7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.
Perhaps it is better that way – to not receive help from pagans. Sometimes help from pagans comes with strings attached or they think they are earning their salvation.
v.7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.
Perhaps it is better that way – to not receive help from pagans. Sometimes help from pagans comes with strings attached or they think they are earning their salvation.
v.8-9 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.
John desires for Christians to work together, as a team but Diothephes is not a team player. People who love to be first are not team players.
v.8-9 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.
John desires for Christians to work together, as a team but Diothephes is not a team player. People who love to be first are not team players.