Group Notes | November 5

TINY GIANTS: Truth in Love
November 05, 2017
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Open:

Being told the truth about something in your life may result in hurt feelings. However, if the one who speaks what you need to hear loves you genuinely, does that help you absorb the correction better? Can you share an example?

We are currently looking at the second of the three shortest books in the NT, gleaning nuggets of wisdom that are often missed because the books are so short. This week we want to examine 2 John for God’s commandment that we walk in love, speak truth in love and serve people in love. We want to internalize these important qualities so that we are not a “noisy gong or a clanging cymbal!” (1 Cor. 13:1).

Focal Passages: 2 John.

Discuss:

The encouragement of truth

  1. Read verses 1-3. Why is it such a fallacy to believe that it really doesn’t matter what you believe, if you are sincere? Who is Truth? Why can truth not exist apart from Him?
  2. What are the three blessings John prays for, for the church he’s writing to? How does one have access to those qualities?
  3. If grace, mercy and peace are from God, how intimately do you have to know Him to receive these gifts?

The requirement of love

  1. Read verse 4a. What do you need to be reminded of? Why is it so easy to get so bogged down with the ‘nasty now and now’ that love is often pushed aside for ‘duty’?
  2. Read verse 6. What does John say love means? Read John 14:15. What does Jesus say? Read 1 John 4:8; just as we know that Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life, what does this verse tell you?
  3. How does 1 Cor. 13:13 end? Why is love more important than faith and hope?

The importance of discernment

  1. Read verse 7a. John said that he was writing the previous verses (4-6), because there were so many different deceitful philosophies being taught. What are some ideas being stated as truth today that demonstrate his statement?
  2. Read verses 10-11. How can we protect our minds from being sucked into the false beliefs that are being propagated?

The value of fellowship

  1. Read verse 12b. Why did John hope to visit these friends and talk “face to face”? What are you missing today by interacting through social media, tv, etc? Give some examples of displacing true fellowship with other options.
  2. How much do you value the fellowship you have with Christian brothers and sisters? How often do you seek them out?

 Close:

John wrote this short letter to a church he loved, opening his heart to give words of warning he felt necessary for these early believers. His two main themes, reminding these brethren to show love to all people always, as well as warning the flock to be vigilant of false doctrine regarding Jesus Christ, were both very pertinent in their walk as believers. He begins his letter with emphasis on love and truth, not separating one from the other. He stressed the importance that Jesus Christ is both, and true believers show their love for Him by obeying His commandments, and loving each other.

We read this small book—about the length of a daily devotional—and find it as applicable today as it was two thousand years ago. Individually we all have turmoil, both from outside of our control, and internally from attacks of warfare, of human failings, and by sinful thoughts or actions. Yet it is love and truth that ultimately triumph in our lives. Seek out a Life Group that will help you grow in your faith, fight with the armor of God, and love unconditionally, so that others will know you are a Christ-follower!

Key Verse: 2 John 6: This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. (NKJV)

*Matt. 18:15-17, 21-22; 1 John 2:9-11; Matt. 6:14-15; Col. 3:13

Helpful Websites: www.biblegateway.com; www.blueletterbible.org. Within both of those sites are resources such as original Greek or Hebrew, the meanings, Commentaries, and more study materials.