Think of the last new family who moved into your ward or branch or who was baptized in your area. How well were they received by the members? What did you do to help them feel welcome and loved? John wrote of two people, Gaius and Diotrephes, whose treatment of others differed. What can you learn from the examples of those two men? What does 3 John teach about the importance of helping others?
Understanding the Scriptures
3 John 1
| The elder (v. 1) | The Apostle John | |
| My children (v. 4) | Members John had taught or presided over | |
| Borne witness of thy charity (v. 6) | Told of your love and kindness | |
| Bring forward on their journey after a godly sort (v. 6) | Help them on their journey in a way approved by God | |
| Loveth to have the preeminence (v. 9) | Likes to put himself first | |
| Prating against us with malicious words (v. 10) | Accuse falsely | |
| Salute (v. 14) | Send their greetings |
Studying the Scriptures
Do the following activity as you study 3 John.
Write a Description
Imagine you have an artist friend who paints pictures of people based on how they act, not on how they look. Read 3 John and write for the artist a brief paragraph describing what you think Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius were each like, giving reasons for your descriptions.
