Opening Questions and Prayer
What was something you believed for a long time that ended up not being true? (Buffalo wings are made from buffalo, fortune cookies originated from China, Santa Claus, swallowing watermelon seeds will cause a watermelon to grow inside you, etc.)
How did you feel when you learned the truth?
Why does God want you to know His Truth?
Thank God for giving us Truth that we can live by. Ask Him to guide your time as you study His Word.
Read 2 John 1:1-4 NLT
1 This letter is from John, the elder.
I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth—as does everyone else who knows the truth— 2 because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever.
3 Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.
4 How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded.
Who was John writing to in this letter?
What does it mean to love someone in the truth?
Why does Jesus’ grace, mercy, and peace mark those who live in God’s truth and love?
How have you seen God’s grace, mercy, and peace in your life?
How does the world’s version of grace, truth, mercy, peace, and love differ from God’s?
What can you do to live more in God’s truth and love than in the world’s version of those things?
Read John 14:6
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
What does this statement mean?
What are some ways people try to get close to God without Jesus?
Why do those things fail?
Why might some people not like this statement that Jesus makes?
What is freeing about Jesus being the way, the truth, and the life?
Read 2 John 1:5-6
5 I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. 6 Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.
How does John relate truth and love?
What are some ways people error on love without truth or truth without love?
Why do you need both?
Why does love mean doing what God has commanded?
How can you live out God’s command to love one another this week?
Read 2 John 1:7-9
7 I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. 9 Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.
John is repeating a theme from his first letter about antichrists and deceivers. Why was it important for the early church to not fall into this deception?
What are some ways that the enemy tries to deceive the church today?
Why is reading and studying God’s word so important to knowing the truth?
Why might people wander from the Truth?
How can you make sure that the people who influence your life, especially your spiritual walk, are pointing you to Jesus?
Read 2 John 1:10-11
10 If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. 11 Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.
What is the truth about Jesus?
How has that truth been distorted?
Why is John so adamant about followers of Jesus shunning those who do not teach Jesus’ truth?
What can you do this week to cleanse yourself of false influences and false teachers?
Read 2 John 1:12-13
12 I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.
13 Greetings from the children of your sister, chosen by God.
Why does John want to see the recipients of this letter face to face?
What is it about meeting in person that’s so important?
Over this past year, many haven’t been able to or been afraid to gather in person. Who is someone you used to see regularly at church but have not seen in a long time?
What might happen if you just showed up and stood on their porch and prayed for them this week?
Who can you reach out to this week that you haven’t seen in a long time?
Memorize it!
2 John 1:3 Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.
Closing thoughts and Prayer
When we gather together as believers and seek out the Lord and His Truth through the study of the scriptures, we grow in our faith. We learn God’s truth and how to discern between that and false teaching and the misleading practices of the world. It’s important to gather together as the body of believers, but this past year has thrown a wrench in that. Make a point this week to reach out to those who have been isolated for a long time.
Pray and ask the Lord to show you some people who need to experience His love and community this week. Thank God for His truth and pray for one another that you would live His Truth out in every area of your life. End your time praying for our country and for Myanmar.