Week #9: Week of March 7th

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1st John

-Written by the apostle John shortly after writing the Gospel of John. This was most likely a circular letter meaning that it was shared among many different groups of believers.
-John wrote the letter to expose the false teaching of Gnostic teachers and to give believers assurance of thier salvation. Gnosticism was a teaching that taught, among other things, that salvation was not achieved through faith in Christ but through the obtaining of "special knowledge."
-Love is one of the major themes of the letter.

2nd John and 3rd John

-They are both very short only having one chapter each.
-Written by the Apostle John in A.D. 80’s or early 90’s (around the same time as 1st John).
-Address the issue of hospitality for itinerant teachers who were serving to spread the Gospel as well as how to handle false teachers who were looking for a free stay from well intentioned believer.

Jude

-Jude was one of Jesus’ biological brothers whom like James (another brother) came to believe in Jesus after the resurrection and ascension.
-The theme of the book is to contend for the faith against false teachers.
-Dated anywhere from 65 to 80 A.D.

Revelation

-Written by the Apostle John while he was in exile on the Island of Patmos.
-The focus of Revelation is Jesus and that He shall overcome.
-Interpreted many ways over the centuries, however, the book’s central purpose is not to arouse speculation about the future. Rather, it is meant to encourage Christians in every age to maintain their faith despite opposition, and to do so in the confidence that they will share in Jesus’ ultimate victory over all forces that oppose Him and His people.

Discussion Questions

Hospitality (2nd John and 3rd John)

1. How have you shown hospitality to others in the past?
2. Have you ever traveled into another county and been shown hospitality in a great way?
3. Why do you think John links love and obedience to Jesus’ commands in 2nd John?

Being Aware of False Teachers (Jude)

1. How could someone be vulnerable to a false teacher?
2. How can you defend the teachings of Scripture without offending those who do not believe them?
3. Have you ever had to confront someone who was teaching something that was not true and how did you handle it? What are you thoughts on whether or not it is your place to say something?

The Church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7)

1. What good things characterized this church?
2. How might its strengths have been the cause of its failure?
3. What are the characteristics of forsaking your first love when it comes to our relationship with God? How you ever found yourself there? What did you do?

The Church in Laodicea (Revelation 2: 14-22)

1. How does wealth keep us from seeking Jesus? Why would He say, I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich (verse 18)?
2. When have you experienced the rebuke and discipline of Jesus from His heart of love (verse 19)?
3. Is your live characterized more by a thermometer (you reflect your surroundings) or a thermostat (you regulate your surroundings)? What would Jesus say concerning this (verse 15-16)?