3 John 12-15: Endorsed by an apostle who was with Jesus!

Ever been told you're doing a good job, and it just changes your whole day? That little bit of encouragement—a pat on the back, a sincere "thank you," or a note that says "I see you"—can have a huge impact. It's not just a nice feeling; science backs it up. Medical and psychological studies have shown that positive feedback and encouragement can boost confidence, improve motivation, and even help people better manage stress. It’s a powerful force for good, and it's a practice that's been around since the very beginning of the church. In the final verses of 3 John, we see an old apostle using this power to build up a faithful Christian and set the record straight for everyone else.

Setting the scene for 3 John 12-15: The power of encouragement

Today we're wrapping up the short letter of 3 John. This isn't just a friendly note; it's a critical piece of church history from the respected apostle John, who identifies himself simply as "the elder." This title carried a lot of weight. It meant he was a living link to Jesus himself, a spiritual grandfather to the entire church. John is writing to his good friend Gaius to deal with a major problem.

The issue came down to two different kinds of leaders. On one side, you had a bully named Diotrephes. This guy loved being the center of attention and was power-hungry. He flat-out refused to welcome traveling Christian teachers who were endorsed by John, and he even had the nerve to kick out people from the church who showed them hospitality.

In the first-century church, hospitality wasn't just being nice; it was the backbone of how the gospel spread. Without it, traveling missionaries had no way to be housed or fed, and their message couldn't get out.

On the other side was Demetrius. This man had a stellar reputation, so good that John says he had "a good report from everyone, and from the truth itself." While the letter's main purpose wasn't solely to endorse Demetrius, the respected apostle John includes a powerful recommendation for him. John is telling Gaius and his church, "This is a man you can trust. He's living out the gospel in a real, visible way, unlike Diotrephes." This was a bold move by John to protect the truth and stand up for a good man who was being wronged.

John's final words in the letter are a bit of a bombshell:

"I have much to write to you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face."

Think about that for a second. John had a lot more to say, but he stopped himself. He knew that the most important conversations—the deep stuff, the serious discussions, and the genuine encouragement—just couldn't be fully delivered through a letter. This is a timeless truth that we need to remember today.

Our modern tools—email, texting, and even video calls on Zoom—are incredible for staying connected. They help us maintain relationships over long distances and are vital for quick updates and simple messages. They're great tools, but they are not the main event. A text can't fully capture the emotion in your voice, and a video call can't replace the feeling of sitting across from someone, sharing a meal, and just being present. Face-to-face time is where real trust is built and where relationships get their roots.

A Challenge for You:

Think about someone you've been texting or emailing back and forth with for a while. Maybe it's a friend from church or a family member. Your challenge is to stop texting them right now and just say, "Hey, we need to spend some time together. What are you up to this week?"

Practical Steps:

• Make a plan with someone nearby: Who is one person you could easily grab a cup of coffee with or invite over for a burger this weekend? Don't just talk about it—get out your phone and send them a text right now to set up a time.

  
  

• Be intentional with someone far away: Who is someone you've been putting off seeing because it's a hassle? A college buddy? A sibling who lives a few hours away? Make a plan to go see them. It might take more effort, maybe even a trip, but the payoff is worth it.

Questions for you to chew on and discuss:

1. What does it really mean for a person to have a "good report from everyone, and from the truth itself?" How can an ordinary person earn that kind of reputation today?

   
   

2. John wanted to talk with Gaius "face to face" instead of just writing. What modern ways of communicating—like texting or social media—might be getting in the way of having real, honest conversations with other Christians?

Journey Group Discussion Starter: 

Gaius helped traveling preachers by giving them a place to stay. What are some modern ways we can support people in ministry today? Think beyond just giving them a place to sleep.

Modern-Day Application

The lessons in 3 John are still useful today. Here’s how we can put them into practice:

• Stand for good people: We should stand by those who, like Demetrius, live their lives in a way that honors God. This means supporting faithful leaders and friends, even when it’s not popular.

  
  

• Make time for real talk: As much as we use our phones and computers, we need to make time for face-to-face conversations. The church is a family, not just a list of names on a screen.

  
  

• Remember we’re all in it together: John's greetings remind us we're part of a bigger family of believers all over the world. We can pray for them and help them when we can.

Want to watch the video version of the Daily Bible Podcast Episode that corresponds to this study guide? Here you go!

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN

Trying to figure out this whole Christian thing on your own can feel like trying to change a flat tire in the dark with no jack. It's just harder! So, why not grab some buddies and join a Journey Group? It's a place where you can talk straight, learn together, and help each other stay on track. We promise, no weird secret handshakes, just real talk about God's Word. To learn more about Journey Groups, get connected in one, or find out about starting your own, head on over to https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups.

If you're tired of sifting through all the noise, you'll want to visit our website, YourJesusJourney.com, to learn more and grab our Free Resource, "Stop Reading the Bible Wrong: 7 Strategic Shifts that Change Everything." Just hit the Free Gift button at the top of the website, and we'll send you this game-changing E-Book today.

Go to https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups to learn more about Journey Groups, get connected in one, or even learn how to start your own. It's like a spiritual potluck, but instead of questionable casseroles, we share insights and grow closer to God. See you there!

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To learn more about YJJ, Thad and Kaila, and Your Jesus Journey, check out our ABOUT US section: https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/learn-about-thad-and-kaila-and-the-journey-church-online.

There's lots more to see and learn on our website, from our "what we believe" page to hundreds of blogs. We encourage you to swing on by and take a look around at www.YourJesusJourney.com!

EXCITING DREAMS TAKING SHAPE

From road life to dream home base! 🚚➡️🏡 After years of traveling, God led us to an incredible spot in Arizona to build a ministry hub & bless others. You won't believe how it happened! ✨ Watch our new video to see the first glimpse! 👇

For the past three years, Kaila and I have been living life on the road, exploring and serving wherever God leads us. It's been an incredible journey, but carrying everything we own and constantly navigating started us dreaming of something more: a home base. A place to lighten our load, simplify, and most importantly, create a space where we can truly bless others. This video is the first glimpse of that dream!

As full-time traveling missionaries and founders of YourJesusJourney.com, we live on a modest income, relying on the generosity of others to support our three-fold ministry vision: helping people understand the Bible in context, finding Christian friends, and equipping disciple makers. So, you might be wondering, how are we able to pursue something this ambitious? About a year and a half ago, Kaila’s beloved dad passed away. With his passing, Kaila inherited their expansive family home and horse property on the breathtaking North Shore of Lake Superior, in beautiful Ontario—the place she grew up, where she rode her first bike and horse, and learned to drive. After much prayer and seeking God’s guidance, we decided to sell the property. What you see here came as a result of that incredible blessing, and all the work unfolding in the next year or two will also be funded by it.

Ultimately, it’s all God’s money, God’s land, and God’s resources—we simply want to be faithful stewards, investing what He’s entrusted us with to serve our family, friends, and help countless others experience God and the lessons of the Bible in a whole new way. We prayed and searched high and low, from Texas to Idaho, and God consistently drew us back to this breathtaking location in Northwest Arizona. Imagine: a spot overlooking the world's densest Joshua Tree forest, just minutes from the Grand Canyon, with epic mountains in our backyard! Our deepest desire for this place is to be a haven for renewal. A spot where our kids can visit, Kaila's mom can stay, and friends can gather. But even bigger than that, it's a launchpad for new ministry—a place to invite people to rest, recharge, share meals, grow friendships, and truly be renewed in the desert sun. We're already dreaming of leading hikes, teaching Bible lessons, and hosting retreats.

There’s a lot of exciting work ahead, but we're stepping out in faith, trusting God every step of the way. We’re so excited to share this new chapter with our family, friends, and all of you! If you want to learn more about our ministry, please visit YourJesusJourney.com. And if you have any questions, or just want to send your prayers or encouragement, please fill up that comment section or reach out directly at YourJesusJourney@gmail.com.

We've journeyed through the Bible, verse by verse, for over 15 books now! We take each passage and break it down into easy-to-understand chunks of plain English. Along the way, we uncover fascinating historical details and explore the cultural context, truly bringing the scriptures to life in a way that resonates. Forget dusty footnotes and words that send you reaching for a thesaurus – we make God's Word approachable and meaningful for everyone. And because we know you're eager to dig even deeper, make sure to subscribe to the Daily Bible Podcast and catch the video podcast each day that complements these blogs!