Read 2 John 7-9. How does John describe the deceivers in the world?
“They’ve gone out into it.”
“In the world there are many deceivers”
What does John tell us to specifically watch out for? “that we do not lose what we have worked for”
What is the positive part of his warning? “that we may (instead) be rewarded fully”
Give an illustration of what it may look like to throw away what you’ve worked for.
“Giving up on a Bible study after you’ve missed all or part of a week.
“Ending a friendship over a hurt or disagreement.
“Pulling the needle out of a knitting project and unravelling it.”
Based on what you know about the circumstances of John’s era and the reading from today’s text, what do you think his readers stood to lose?
“Either the integrity and truthfulness of their church, if they let wrong teaching into it, or the fellowship, unity and strength of numbers if some were to leave and follow the falsehoods.”
What have you seen on television, read about, or heard in conversation that boasts a more progressive, enlightened belief system than Christianity?
“None I can remember. I try to avoid those.”
What do those who run ahead of Christ’s teaching not have? “God”
What do those who remain in Christ’s teaching have? “The Father and the Son”
According to Paul, why is man’s wisdom, not the ultimate authority? Briefly note as many reasons as you can find.
“God will destroy it (19); God makes it foolish (20); worldly wisdom doesn’t know God (21); the foolishness of God is wiser than men’s wisdom (25)”
I can’t help but notice how many people claim God but don’t want anything to do with Jesus.
Because this is a potentially offensive message, we sometimes speak in vague terms about God.
I believe it requires sensitivity to the Holy Spirit to know whom we’re to embrace and whom we’re to protect ourselves from
Has the Lord spoken to you about a toxic situation you are no longer supposed to ‘welcome into your house’? If so, describe what obedience looks like.
“It is freedom from the stressful, crazy chaos that seems as attached to Christine as Pigpen’s dust cloud is to him.”
Is the Lord asking you to reach out with the love of Jesus to someone you’ve held a prejudice or judgment toward? If so, describe how you were willing to do this.
“Not that I’m feeling just now, but I’ll try to be open in case I’m missing something.”
Who do you need to see you face-to-face? Ask the Holy Spirit to bring someone to mind who needs you or whom you may need. It may require airfare, a road trip, or a simple dinner reservation. Commit to it here.
“(Kevin is [arriving] next week and my folks will be just a few weeks after). I do feel that I should try to plan a road trip to Dana, but it is a daunting prospect to consider (and is my car even up to it)”
[we are] in an increasingly secular society, one, in which having a belief in God does not necessarily mean holding to the teachings of Jesus
Dearest Rachel –
When I get back home, I’m going to need to find another study book you worked on, as this is the last entry that you filled in. Fortunately, there’s still no shortage of notes from this or that study you participated in.
Your notes end on an interesting chapter; one discussing the need to be careful about what we listen to and put our trust in (although, in fairness, much of John’s letters dwelt on that subject to one degree or another, what with the rise of the Gnostic heresy he saw in the church as he grew old). I know we tried to be careful about what we took in, in terms of religious instruction (I’ve always been particularly cautious since the days of Jonestown, assuming that, if I didn’t know exactly what I believed in – and why – I might end up like those poor unfortunates who followed Jim Jones to their doom).
To be sure, I still have concerns like this about Daniel still, along those tend to be about political stances rather than religious ones – which are, thankfully, not hills to worry about dying on. I know he is firm in the faith – some times more than myself, admonishing me to pray at certain times after I’ve taken a bite of my meal, for instance – and I have to be satisfied with that for the present. Given what I know, I think he’ll do well for the foreseeable future, and that is gratifying.
Still, if you would keep an eye on him from time to time, and wish him luck, I’d sure appreciate it. He’s going to need it, I’m sure.
Letters to Rachel 