Walking in truth strengthens your faith and blesses other people. Too often, Christians are tempted to simply go through the motions. When that happens, we lose our attractional value to those without Christ, and the church moves toward irrelevancy. Salvation in Jesus Christ gives those who trust in Him eternal life and the power to walk in His truth as His witnesses here on earth.

3 JOHN 1-4 (NASB)

You Walk in the Truth

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

2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6 and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.

15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

JOSHUA 1:8 (NASB)

8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:!6 (NASB)

16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

ROMANS 10:9 (NASB)

9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

UNDERSTANDING

• What does John’s introduction tell you about the responsibility he felt in relationship to Gaius?

• Who is someone who has helped you walk in truth? Explain.

• Specifically, what did John pray for Gaius? Do you more often pray for others’ physical well-being or spiritual well-being? In your own personal life, do you give more attention to your physical or spiritual health? Why?

• In this week’s message, we learned that “God’s soul food into my spiritual system strengthens my spirit.” What, then, are some practical steps you can take so that you might live with a soul that prospers?

• What are some warning signs your soul isn’t prospering, but is becoming stagnant or apathetic toward God?

• What brings joy in your life currently? Would you say that the spiritual growth of others is typically something that brings great joy to believers today? Why or why not?

• Why do you think it gave John such joy to hear that Gaius was walking in truth?

• What are some characteristics of a person you would describe as “walking in truth”?

• Can a person “walk in truth” and no one else know about it? Explain.

• Which would others say best describes your walk with the Lord: brief periods of time that show signs of spiritual life or a consistent walk in the truth? Explain.

APPLICATION

• In this week’s message, we learned the way to know when your heart and life are in alignment with Jesus is if you are helping others grow to be more like Him. Who are you currently helping to grow in faith? Who is someone you believe God wants you to pour into so that they might be encouraged and strengthened in the faith?

• What do you desire to be the enduring testimony of your life? Of our church? What changes need to take place in order for that hope to become a reality?

• Based on today’s lesson, how spiritually healthy are you? How can this group best help you as you seek to walk in the truth in the days ahead?

GIVING

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