1, 2, + 3 John | Reading Plan + Study QuestionsSample

2 JOHN 1

FOLLOW JESUS’S EXAMPLE OF TRUTH + LOVE

Continuing the main ideas of 1 John, John’s second letter is written to a more specific audience. John addressed the letter to the elect lady, who is either a woman within the church or a symbol of the church as a whole. John is the most likely author of this letter, but he refers to himself as “the elder.” Because believers were facing persecution, pen names or code names were sometimes used for protection.

John rejoices that more people have begun walking in truth. He reminds readers of the new covenant, which has been God’s desire all along, for followers to love one another.

John’s letter also serves as a warning to a specific church community, telling them to beware of those who are hostile to the faith. Believers are called to love one another, but John teaches them not to support those who are false teachers or deceivers of the faith.

This message serves as a practical application of John’s two main ideas: truth and love. John guides believers in following the example of Jesus by exemplifying both grace and truth.

STUDY QUESTIONS

Read 2 John 1:5. How are the commands of Jesus both old and new?

How is love defined in 2 John 1:6?

How did the author instruct believers to respond to false teachers or deceivers (2 John 1:7-11)?