One-Year Bible Reading Plan  : Seekers & New Believers |  August 25 | 3 John Chapter 1: Walking in Truth and Love 

🦌 Opening Today’s Reading 

Dear brothers, sisters, and friends, peace be with you in the Lord!

Welcome to today's reading journey! Today, we are exploring 3 John Chapter 1 together.

How do we demonstrate true love and hospitality in our daily Christian journey? When faced with pride or conflict within a community, how can we remain steadfast in doing good? Through this short but poignant letter to Gaius, the Apostle John gives us practical wisdom on hosting fellow believers, standing firm in truth, and disarming arrogance with genuine love.

Let's approach today's scripture with open hearts, learning from the contrast between Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius to become faithful fellow-workers for the truth.

📖 Context Snapshot 

Where are we today?

3 John is a personal letter written by the Apostle John to his beloved friend Gaius. It highlights hospitality, walking in truth, and the contrast between humble service and proud ambition. Chapter 1 introduces three key themes:

1. Commendation of Gaius (3 John 1:1–8): John rejoices that Gaius walks in the truth and commends his faithful hospitality to traveling ministers and strangers, encouraging believers to support such labor so that we may be "fellowhelpers to the truth."

2. Warning Against Diotrephes (3 John 1:9–11): John exposes Diotrephes, who "loveth to have the preeminence," maliciously gossiping, refusing to welcome brothers, and forbidding others from doing so. John admonishes: "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."

3. Recommendation of Demetrius and Conclusion (3 John 1:12–14): John recommends Demetrius (who has a good report of all men and of the truth itself) and expresses hope to see Gaius face to face soon.

💡 Today’s Scripture Verse  - 3 John 1

1 The elder unto the wellbeloved 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 prospereth.

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.

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 fellowhelpers 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 forbiddeth 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.

🌟Daily Heart-Check: Becoming "Fellowhelpers to the Truth" 

• Love Expressed Through Practical Hospitality: Gaius’s devotion was not merely emotional; it was demonstrated through tangible support and welcome to workers of the gospel.

• Guarding Against Self-Exaltation: Diotrephes' error stemmed from a desire for position and dominance over others. True ministry always reflects the self-giving humility of Jesus Christ.

🎵 Response Song :  

🙏 Closing Prayer

Loving Heavenly Father,

Thank You for teaching us today through the Book of 3 John.

Lord, teach us to walk steadfastly in Your truth and express Your love through genuine hospitality and kindness. Give us hearts like Gaius, willing to open our lives to support those who labor for Your gospel, becoming true fellowhelpers to the truth.

Guard our hearts against pride, self-importance, and selfish ambition. Help us to reject what is evil and pursue what is good, reflecting Your light in all that we say and do.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen!