February 21, 2016
Scripture Reading: 2 John 12-13
12I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
13The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.
Questions for Reflection:
2 John closes with a couple of personal remarks from a church planter to his congregation. Verse 12 is one of the inspiring images of a pastor’s heart for his church. John is writing back to them and he knows that he could write for days but he doesn’t want to. Instead, he wants to be with them. What does he say would happen if they were talking face to face? We live in an increasingly digital age. The things we can do today are mind-blowing. However, there is still something to face to face interaction that cannot be mimicked, even in our Skype/Facetime/SnapChat world.
Verse 13 also paints a picture of how churches interacted in the New Testament era. The phrase “the children of your sister” refers to another church, probably the church that John was leading and teaching in at that moment. In the midst of a conflict, in the midst of a struggle, one church reached out to the other church with support and encouragement. We believe that God has called us to not just build a great church at One Life; we are called to help build a great city. We believe that happens through unifying prayer. When the Church comes together in prayer and support, God is glorified and made much of. Take time today to pray for another church, their pastor and leadership and the ministry God has given them. If you know the pastor, take a moment and send him or her a note of encouragement letting them know you are praying.
As we wrap up our study of 2 John, what did God teach you this week through this book? What did you learn about what it means to trust and follow Jesus from 2 John? How can you take what you’ve learned to help others trust and follow Jesus?