Study Guide for 2nd & 3rd John

2 John
[1] Why does John refer to himself as the “the elder”?
Who is the “elect lady”?
[7] What is the trademark of the deceivers?
[8] What might be lost? Compare 1 Corinthians 3:15
[9] “goes on ahead”, means “going too far”, or “going beyond” what is proper or right [Scott Lewis, p. 126]
[10] What is so valuable, that John required excommunication or separation? See also 3 John 1:9, below.

3 John
[1] Who is Gaius?
[3] Why is John pleased with Gaius?
[4] Note the paternal language. Compare Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 4:15. [see also Mt 23:8f; Philippians 2:22; 1 Timothy 1:2, 5:1-2; Philemon 10; 2 Kings 2:12]
[5-8] Who are these men and what are they doing?
[8] In light of verse 7, what is John suggesting that the churches do?
[9] Who is Diotrephes?

• Why is John displeased with Diotrophes?

• How does John intend to deal with Diotrophes?

• When is Godly discipline appropriate?

• Is there a difference between “judging” and “discipline”? [compare Luke 6:37-42; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 6:1-4; 2 Thess 3:14-15]

• From 1 John 5:16, above: Note that Paul told the Corinthians to judge those inside the Church and to purge out the evil ones [1 Corinthians 5:13] - that is excommunication. See also: Galatians 1:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; 2 John 1:10-11.

• What is the role of the church (assembly) in Jesus’ example of discipline and reconciliation in Matthew 18:15-20.

[12] John described three attributes of Demetrius. What are they?
What is the significance of those three attributes?