Reminder: Pray to God to set your heart right as you engage His word. The text you are about to study was not written to you but is written for you. So, before applying we must ask the following questions:
What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
READ THE SCRIPTURE (Multiple times & translations and notice the words that standout)
Biblegateway (NIV) (My choice of all-round site. It is a greatapp, better on computers or on a cellphone)
StepBible (ESV) (Great on phone or computer with good resources.)
Did you ever run out of money when you were away from home? What did you do?
Who extended loving hospitality to you when you needed it most?
ESV Text with Highlights
#God = #People= The Apostle John, Gaius, Diotrephes, Demetrius #Time = #Place = The local church (specific location not mentioned) #Obedient faith = #Sin = #Key Idea =
1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth.4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Support and Opposition
5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are,6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
Final Greetings
13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink.14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.
OBSERVATIONS(Reflect on the topic and build the concept the writer is trying to communicate to the original audience)
ebible (NLT) (Best for having Bible sections divided by "pericope" or sections by thought)
God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
What conflicts were going on in the church that prompted John to write this letter? What personality issues are involved? What type of character sketch would you draw for Gaius? Diotrephes? Demetrius?
In what ways does this letter tackle the hospitality issue differently than 2 John? Why is John urging that these teachers be cared for in their travels? Why would this be so important at this time?
How can you reflect Gaius' desire to be of help to itinerant Christian workers?
Has suspicion about the false motives or messages of some teachers soured as you against them all? What needs to change so you will not hinder the work of God by failing to encourage his true servants?
Do you find opening up your home (or your small group) to new people easy or difficult? Why is that?
In picking close friends (like Gaius was to John), what do you look for? How can you be that kind of friend to others?
I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
What transformative move needs to be made?
You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
#God #People #Time #Place #Obedient
faith #Sin #Key
Idea
Humble
Service in the Body of Christ
3 For
by the grace given me I say to every
one of you:
Do
not think of yourself more highly than you ought,
but rather think
of yourself with sober judgment,
in
accordance with the faithGod
has
distributed
to each of you.4 For just as each of us has
one
body with many members,
and these members do
not all have the same function,5 so in Christ
we, though many, form one
body, and
each
member belongs to all the others.6 We have different
gifts, according
to the grace
given to each of us.
If your gift is prophesying, then
prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith;7 if it is
serving,
then serve; if it is teaching,
then teach;8 if it is to
encourage,
then give encouragement; if it is giving,
then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to
show
mercy,
do it cheerfully.
Love
in Action
9 Love
must be sincere. Hate
what is evil;
cling
to what is good.10 Be devoted
to one another
in love. Honor
one another above yourselves.11 Never
be lacking in zeal,
but keep
your spiritual fervor, serving
the
Lord.12 Be
joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share
with the
Lord’s people
who
are in need. Practice
hospitality.
14 Bless
those who persecute you; bless
and do
not curse.15 Rejoice
with those who rejoice;
mourn
with those who mourn.16 Live
in harmony with one another. Do
not be proud,
but be
willing to associate with people of low position.[c]Do
not be conceited.
17 Do
not repay
anyone evil for evil. Be
careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.18 If
it is possible,
as
far as it depends on you,
live
at peace with everyone.19 Do
not take revenge, my
dear friends, but leave
room
for God’s
wrath,
for it is written: “It
is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says
the
Lord.20 On the
contrary:
“If
your enemy is hungry, feed
him; if he is thirsty,
give
him something to drink. In doing this, you
will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
21 Do
not be overcome by evil,
but overcome
evilwith
good.
God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
In a time of growing isolation and individualism, we are
reminded of how important it is to stay connected to God and to each other.
Jesus’ metaphor of the vine and branches calls us into a life of connection
over production as we abide in Him.
Opening Thoughts:As we nurture meaningful connections within the body, we each accept our
role and responsibility to build up the body by serving cheerfully.
12 Therefore, I urge you,
brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.2 Do
not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his
good, pleasing and perfect will.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given
me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you
ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the
faith God has distributed to each of you.4 For
just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all
have the same function,5 so in Christ
we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.6 We have different gifts, according to the
grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in
accordance with your[a]
faith;7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is
teaching, then teach;8 if it is to
encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if
it is to lead,[b] do it
diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.10 Be
devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual
fervor, serving the Lord.12 Be joyful
in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.13 Share
with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the story in your
own words.
vReview and
retell the story.
Reflections for applications:
vConnected by
Mercy
oRomans 12:1
vConnected &
Transformed
oRomans 12:2
vInterdependence
oRomans 12:3
vUnified
Diversity
oRomans 12:4-5
oCharlie Brown’s
Christmas Tree
vEnthusiastic
Service: Making the Body Bigger & Better
oRomans 12:6-8
vConnectedness
in Action
oHebrews
10:24-25 And
let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,25 not
giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging
one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
v“There’s no such thing as ‘can’t’. You taught
me that.” –Anne Sullivan in “The Miracle
Worker” by William Gibson
oGalatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of
Christ.
==============================
Digging Questions:
·How
will you respond to making “Connection to Jesus”? What transformative move
needs to be made?
·What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?
·What is God calling us (me and you individually) to do?
Take Away Challenges
·What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in
this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
·Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
·What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What
beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?
What does it look like to “live peaceably with all”? Paul gives various instructions to the Roman Christians about how to be at peace within the church community, as well as within society at large. These instructions would likely be received differently depending on a person’s social position. For instance, it would likely be the strong and powerful Christians who really needed to be told to, “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” The weak and powerless Christians, on the other hand, might especially need to hear, “Repay no one evil for evil.” The bottom line, for all Christians, is to “Love your neighbor as yourself,” that is how we all live peaceably with both believers and unbelievers.
But as God has distributed to each one . . . so let him walk. 1 Corinthians 7:17
Recommended Reading = Romans 12:4-8
In Argentina, everyone is required by law to spend two years in military service. One fellow showed up at the induction center, objecting, "What good would I be? I have no arms!" They put him in the army anyway. At basic training camp, his commanding officer said, "See that fellow up there on the hill pumping water? Go tell him when the pail is full. He's blind."
Sometimes we can get caught up asking, "What good would I be?" and believing we have nothing to offer of service to God. As it turns out, we are all functioning parts of the whole body of Christ, and though we may not see the value of the gifts and abilities God has given us, He has a plan to use them in union with the unique talents of other believers to achieve a particular goal. In fact, He hand picked each worker and personally assigned their different abilities, knowing that that's where they would thrive and serve Him best.
Dear Christian, do not wish for another believer's talents, for yours were given to you by your Creator, the One who knew your name even as He created the universe. Take joy in knowing that He has given you exactly what you're supposed to have.
We should never lessen the gifts and talents that God has given us. Zig Ziglar
Whom would you elect "Mr. or Mrs. Hospitality" at work? In your neighborhood? In your church? In your family?
#God #People #Time #Place #Obedient faith #Sin #Key Idea
Acts
28:1-16 (ESV)
Paul on Malta
1Afterwe were
brought safely through, we then learned that the island was
called Malta.2The native peopleashowedus unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomedus all,
because it had begun to rain and was cold.3When Paul had
gathered a bundle of
sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat
and fastened on
his hand.4When the native people saw the creature hanging
from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt
this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justicebhas not allowed him to live.”5He,
however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.6They were
waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a
long time and saw no
misfortune come to him, they changed their
minds and said that he
was a god.
7Now in the neighborhood of
that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who
received us and
entertained us hospitably for three days.8It
happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and
dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands
on him, healed him.9And when
this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had
diseases also came and were cured.10They also
honored us greatly,cand when we were about
to sail, they put on
board whateverwe needed.
Paul Arrives at Rome
11After three months we set sail
in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the
twin godsdas a
figurehead.12Putting in
at Syracuse, we stayed there for
three days.13And from
there we made a
circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one daya south wind sprang
up, and on the second daywe came to Puteoli.14There we found brotherseand were
invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.15And the brothers there,
when they heard
aboutus, came as
far as the Forum
of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On
seeing them, Paul thankedGod and took courage.16And when we came into Rome, Paul was
allowed to stay by
himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
Hashtags
People #Paul #we – Paul and Luke #native people #chief man “Pubilus” #Pubilus’ father #people on island #the brothers #the soldier
Topics #Hospitality #Viper – May or may not have been poisonous, but the people viewed it that way. Mark 16 #Justice = much like karma #people’s change of mind. #apostle power to heal sick people (prayer) laying on of hands too #generosity of native people. #sailing determined by the wind. #Paul’s imprisonment
God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
In your opinion, why did Luke describe the ship voyage to Rome at such length—longer than Paul’s time in Corinth or Ephesus? What was so important about this episode?
In light of the fact God wanted Paul to get to Rome, why do you think he allowed all the events of 27:1-28:9 to happen? What stories would the centurion tell his fellow officers once they arrive?
Do you see God’s providence working in these events? How?
Did God miraculously protect Paul from the snakebite? (Acts 28:3–6)
As Paul neared Rome, who came out to meet him? What was the impact of this greeting on Paul? Explain.
Describe a time when someone encouraged you in a stressful situation.
How restricted was Paul? (Acts 28:16)
How could this set the stage for Paul to write about the way his imprisonment at Rome served to advance the Gospel (see Philippians 1:12-13)?
How do you see Acts 1:8 still being carried out?
I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
How has God used a disaster in your life for ministry? What have you learned from this?
Who can you encourage during the next week?
You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Back in 2014 Jamie Coots made the news with his death. Jamie died after being bitten by a poisonous snake during a "snake handling church service." Coots could have received medical treatment, but he refused it based on his religious convictions and died.
Coots became a celebrity of sorts by appearing in the National Geographic television series, "Snake Salvation." This television show documented the beliefs and practices of a church in southeast Kentucky that "handles poisonous snakes."
Members of this religious sect believe that Mark 16:17-18 commands them to engage in this practice. However, a more careful study of the Bible will reveal that Jesus wasn't commanding Christians to be involved in a "side show" involving snakes. He was stating that his followers would be given miraculous abilities that would assist them in confirming the message they preached. An example of what Jesus was talking about is found in Acts 28:1-6 when the apostle Paul was bitten by a poisonous viper on the Island of Malta. Instead of dying as the natives surely thought he would, Paul simply shook the snake from his hand, and he was alright. Furthermore, these miraculous gifts were temporary (1 Corinthians 13:8-10; Ephesians 4:8-13) and were never intended to last for all time.
Sadly, Mr. Coots' misguided faith and interpretation of the Bible cost him his life. While, most of us reading this will not make the same mistake that Mr. Coots did, we may make other mistakes that could be just as harmful to our spiritual health? If we don't give great care and attention to reading and studying the word of God, we too can be hurt.
You see, in spite of what you've heard some people say, it does matter what you believe.
Gratuity Not Included: Servers
The natives showed us unusual kindness. . . . Acts 28:2 Ask almost any waiter, waitress, or server and they'll tell you that they dread the Sunday after-church crowd. Perhaps it's undeserved, but many churchgoers have a reputation for being demanding and stingy. Somehow, we have gotten a bad name in the restaurant community, at least on Sundays.
It behooves us to be kind to those who serve us. One of the ways we express our thanksgiving to God is by treating others with gratitude and kindness. Proverbs 19:22 says, "What is desired in a man is kindness."
Those who serve us -- waiters, clerks, tellers, flight attendants, bellhops and skycaps, ushers, babysitters, valets, supermarket baggers, parking attendants, shuttle drivers, and so forth -- often work long hours and receive minimal pay. Yet they bear the brunt of complaints. They often have to put up with arrogant, unkind, irritable clients.
Go out of your way to smile at the guy behind the counter. Be pleasant to the woman on the phone. Tip when appropriate. Be a pleasure to serve. Show unusual kindness. A dash of gratitude can brighten the skies of others and represent Christ in their hearts.
A warm smile is the universal language of kindness. William Arthur Ward
Blessings Abound: Blessings From Another
When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.Acts 28:15
In Acts 28, the apostle Paul grappled with disappointment, fatigue, and a sense of failure. He had hoped to be on his way to Spain as a free man, but he had encountered a series of unfortunate events—hostility, arrest, a near flogging, a prolonged legal battle, a terrifying storm, a shipwreck, a snakebite, and a forced march to Rome where prison awaited him. Imagine even one of those things happening to you!
But as Paul approached the city of Rome, he looked up and saw a delegation of brothers and sisters coming to meet him. At the sight of his friends, his spirits revived. He thanked God and took courage. As we visualize the scene in our minds, we can almost see a smile coming to his face, a grateful whisper on his lips, and a bounce entering his steps.
You and I have people like that in our lives too, but perhaps we don’t thank God enough for them. Take a few moments today to appreciate those who strengthen you and give you courage. Thank God for the blessings that abound and for the people who surround you.
Whoever is happy will make others happy too. Anne Frank
