Slices
Prepare
Can you recall the last sermon or talk you heard? What was the main message?
Bible passage
1 The elder,
To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth – and not I only, but also all who know the truth – 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us for ever:
3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.
4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 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.
7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.
12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.
Explore
What are you known for among your family and friends? What was it that John was known for?
It is not known who John is writing to in this letter, possibly a local congregation, maybe a spiritual mother, elder or prophetess, but the theme of love continues. John is constantly writing about love. This theme comes through in his Gospel, his first letter and now this second one too. John most likely wrote other letters and I wonder if they follow this repeated theme of loving God and loving others (vs 5,6). When the hoped for visit happened (v12), it is quite possible that love would be a key topic!
But John is right to press the point. It’s a fundamental command of Jesus’ to love God and love one another. If we are doing these two things, everything else falls into place. If we are loving others, they will experience the love of God through us. If we are loving others, we are becoming more like God and therefore better able to love him. The letter, however, contains a warning against those who deceive (v 7), and not welcoming those who do not believe Christ’s teaching (v 9). How aware are we of this danger and how might we avoid false teaching (v 11)?
Respond
Where have you lacked love for other people this week? How could you show greater love in the week ahead?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Jeremiah 13,14; John 6
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for Mobilisation Director Rachel Warwick and the team as they work with The Drummer Agency to refine our church communications and launch a new strategy to help more churches Reveal Jesus in their communities.