Counsel for the Christian Life – 2 John 1:1-13

By David Woods

Research: Underline every place in 2 John that “truth” is mentioned.  How many times does John talk about truth in these thirteen verses?

The “Introduction” notes that the readers of this epistle may have also read 1 John.  It notes that some conditions are similar – the spirit of antichrist and the presence of false teachers.

Discussion: What might be the significance of the emphasis on truth in this letter in relationship to the conditions in which the first readers of this letter lived?

Discussion: What does it mean for the truth to dwell in us (v. 2)?

Discussion: How might have John’s words that the truth “shall be with us for ever” encourage the people (v. 2)?

Discussion: What is the relationship of truth to love (vv. 4-6)?  Can we live in the truth without having love for one another?  Why or why not?

Discussion: What does it mean practically to love one another?

Discussion: What is one of the basic tests to determine whether a person is a false teacher (v. 7)?

Discussion: If a person momentarily sins, does he no longer have God in his life?  Consider verse 9.

Discussion: How can we love one another yet refuse to receive false teachers into our homes or churches (vv. 10, 11)?