The Sunday School Lesson Outline

May 3

Lesson 10

WORK TOGETHER FOR THE TRUTH

DEVOTIONAL READING: 2 Timothy 2:14–19

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: 3 John

3 JOHN

1 The elder unto the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prosper.

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Graphic: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth.
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbidden them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

KEY VERSE
We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth.

—3 John 8

THE SPIRIT COMES

Unit 2: The Community of Beloved Disciples

LESSONS 6–10

LESSON AIMS

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Summarize the work of Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius.

2. Suggest some modern activities these men might be involved in if they were living today.

3. Identify one faithful worker in the church and tell how he or she can partner with this worker.

LESSON OUTLINE

Introduction
      A.      The Prosperity Gospel
      B.      Lesson Background
          I.      Salutation (3 JOHN 1)
      A.      Name of Addressee (v. 1a)
      B.      Status of Relationship (v. 1b)
          II.      Message (3 JOHN 2–12)
      A.      Commendation (vv. 2–8)
      B.      Contrast (vv. 9–12)
      The Desire to Be “Somebody”
      Following a Pattern
          III.      Closing (3 JOHN 13, 14)
      A.      Desire (vv. 13, 14a)
      B.      Blessing (v. 14b)
Conclusion
      A.      Spiritual Health and Hospitality
      B.      Prayer
      C.      Thought to Remember

HOW TO SAY IT

Ceres

Sir-eez.

Demetrius

De-mee-tree-us.

Diotrephes

Die-ot-rih-feez.

Gaius

Gay-us.

Philemon

Fih-lee-mun or Fye-lee-mun.

Telemachus

Taw-leh-maw-kuss.

Krause, Mark S. et al. “Work Together for the Truth.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2014–2015. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood. Vol. 62. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2014. 299. Print.