◄ 3 John 1:9 ►
I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 3 John 1:9? 2. How does 3 John 1:9 warn against seeking personal glory within the church? 3. What can we learn from Diotrephes' behavior about leadership in the church? 4. How does 3 John 1:9 connect with Matthew 23:12 on humility? 5. How should church leaders respond to those who reject apostolic authority today? 6. What steps can we take to avoid prideful behavior like Diotrephes'? 7. What does 3 John 1:9 reveal about early church leadership conflicts? 8. How does 3 John 1:9 address the issue of pride in church leadership? 9. What historical context influenced the writing of 3 John 1:9? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 3 John 1? 11. How do we reconcile the portrayal of Diotrephes in 3 John 1:9–10 with potential bias, since we only hear one side? 12. Who was Diotrephes in the Bible? 13. If 3 John 1 is authentic, why does it omit any mention of Jesus’s teachings or miracles? 14. Why is there no clear historical or archaeological evidence confirming the exact circumstances described in 3 John 1? Discussion Questions 1. How does the behavior of Diotrephes contrast with the biblical model of leadership as described in other parts of the New Testament? 2. In what ways can pride and a desire for preeminence manifest in modern church settings, and how can they be addressed? 3. How can we ensure that we are submitting to godly authority while also discerning when leadership may be acting contrary to Scripture? 4. What practical steps can we take to promote unity and cooperation within our local church community? 5. How can we cultivate humility in our own lives and in the lives of those we lead or influence? 3 John 1 Bible Study Questions 1. How does the Apostle John exemplify the bond between truth and love in his greeting to Gaius? 2. Reflect on the importance of hospitality in 3 John. How can we apply this in our current societal context? 3. What does Gaius’s treatment of the traveling teachers teach us about generosity in service? 4. Discuss the impact of Diotrephes’s behaviour on the early Christian community. What are similar situations in today's churches and how should they be addressed? 5. How does John's approach to addressing the issues caused by Diotrephes reflect his pastoral care? 6. Why do you think John decides to address Diotrephes's behavior in a letter instead of confronting him directly initially? 7. What does 3 John teach us about the balance between maintaining unity and confronting problematic behavior in a Christian community? 8. Explore the concept of "walking in the truth" as discussed in this book. 9. How does Demetrius’s good reputation influence your understanding of living a truthful and loving Christian life? 10. How can you, in your personal life, imitate good and shun evil as John advises Gaius? 11. How does 3 John emphasize the importance of personal contact and communication within a community? 12. What do you learn from 3 John about the nature and characteristics of early Christian communities? 13. In the face of opposition like that from Diotrephes, how should you respond as a believer? 14. Discuss the role of church leaders in fostering an environment of love, truth, and hospitality as presented in 3 John. 15. How can the teachings in 3 John be applied to address current global issues? 16. Based on 3 John, how would you handle a situation where a leader in your church or community is causing division? 17. How can the themes of love, truth, and hospitality be cultivated in your personal relationships and professional spaces? 18. How does the personal and situational nature of 3 John resonate with your own personal faith journey? 19. Drawing from John’s response to Diotrephes, how should modern churches handle cases of ego-driven leadership? 20. Reflecting on 3 John, how would you define 'living in the truth'? How can this be applied in contemporary society? Links 3 John 1:9 NIV 3 John 1:9 NLT 3 John 1:9 ESV 3 John 1:9 NASB 3 John 1:9 KJV 3 John 1:9 Commentaries Bible Hub