THE BOOK OF I, II, III JOHN
OLD & NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY
Important Information:
A. Author: John – the Beloved Disciple / The Apostle of Love
B. Recipient: (1) A church of Jewish/Gentile Believers
(2) A church or a Lady named Electa (and her children)
(3) Pastor Gaius (and his small house church)
C. Date Written: 90-95 AD (before John was exiled to Patmos)
D. Meaning of Name: “God is a gracious Giver”
E. Key Word: (1) Light-love / truth / to know—certainty
(2) Truth (3) Truth
F. Key Chapters: All (1st John is symphonic—theme is interwoven throughout)
G. Key Verse: I John 1:7 / II John 1:6 / III John 1:5, 8
H. Key Characters: Church bodies / Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrias
I. Geography: Asia Minor (probably the same area as the 7 churches)
J. Purpose:
1. Historical (what it meant for those to whom it was written):
(1) An epistle of encouragement detailing how believers can have an assurance of salvation; a warning against the heretical teachings of docetism (false teachings that that the sufferings of Christ were apparent and not real and that after the crucifixion He appeared in a spiritual body—denies the humanity of Christ)
(2) An epistle of encouragement stressing the need for believers to continue in Christ by adhering to the truth—walking, abiding, and standing in the Truth.
(3) An epistle of encouragement praising Gaius for his fidelity to Truth, rebuking
Diotrephes for a lack of humility, and commending Demetrius for his testimony and adherence to the Truth.
2. Doctrinal (what it means to the Christian):
Teaches the believer that the Christian life is not parallel with the world, but must be lived out in the light and love of God’s Truth.
3. Christological (How it reveals Jesus):
Reveals and reiterates that Jesus is the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life.
THE BOOK OF I JOHN
OLD & NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY
Basic Outline:
I. The Moral Basis of John’s Message.
A. Sin breaks fellowship with God (1:5-7).
B. Sin exists in the believer’s human nature (1:8).
C. Sin manifests itself in the believer’s conduct (1:9-2:2).
II. The Tests of Assurance Introduced.
A. The moral test of obedience: keep God’s commands; do what He says (2:3-6).
B. The social test of love: show compassion and love for all people (2:7-11).
C. The realistic test of increasing maturity (2:12-14):
1. Little children = immature/new believers who only know the Father’s love through forgiveness.
2. Young men = growing believers who are strong in character, being transformed by the Word of God and successfully overcoming the wicked one (Satan).
3. Fathers = mature believers who know the Heavenly Father, both seeking and fulfilling His will as Christ did.
D. The sanctifying test of separation: love not the world (2:15-17).
E. The doctrinal test of faith: fully acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Son of God (2:18-29).
III. Assurance Developed by Abiding in Love.
A. The ethical proof of love: true love is not compatible with sin (3:1-12).
B. The social proof of love: true love is a godly decision actively expressed through deeds
(actions) that benefit others (3:13-24).
C. The theological proof of love: understanding and receiving true love requires genuine faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God made flesh (4:1-6).
D. The emotional proof of love: we love Him, because He first loved us (4:7-21).
IV. Assurance Maintained through Exercise of Faith.
A. Believe that Jesus is the Christ (anointed to save) & the Son of God (5:1-5).
B. Believe that Jesus is all that the Word of God reveals Him to be and does all that the Word of God says He can/will do (5:6-12).
V. Summary of Assurance.
A. Maintain right beliefs (5:13).
B. Pray right prayers (5:14-17).
C. Stay away from idols (5:18-21).
THE BOOK OF II & III JOHN
OLD & NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY
Basic Outlines:
~ II John ~
I. Path of Truth – Love
A. Grace and peace in truth and love (1-3).
B. Walking in truth (4).
C. The command of truth: love one another (5-6).
II. Peril of Truth – Laxity
A. Beware deceivers who deny the truth: confessing heretical (docetic) beliefs that Jesus did not come in the flesh (7).
B. Reward for believers who keep the truth: right belief and practices yields a full reward in eternity (8).
C. Warning about transgressors of the truth: they will not have God in eternity (9).
D. No hospitality for those who deny the truth (10-11).
III. Conclusion – Plan to talk more, face to face (12-13).
~ III John ~
I. Confirmation of Gaius—Who Loved the Truth (1-8).
A. Prospering spiritually (and physically).
B. Walking in truth (i.e. integrity and kindness).
C. Behaving faithfully towards Christians and non-Christians.
D. Maintaining a good testimony and reputation of love/compassion outside of the church.
II. Condemnation of Diotrephes—Who Loved Not the Truth (9-10).
A. Proud, arrogant, attention seeking and self-focused.
B. Refuses to received sound words, speaks bad of good leaders, hinders others from hearing right teaching, and even expelled people from the church.
III. Commendation of Demetrius—Who was Loved by the Truth (11-12).
A. Good reputation among men.
B. Good reputation before God.
IV. Conclusion – Plan to talk more, face to face (13-14).