3 John 1: Fellow Workers for the Truth

3 John is a short letter from the elder to his beloved friend Gaius. He prays that Gaius will prosper and be healthy, and rejoices to hear that he walks in truth. Gaius faithfully welcomed traveling brothers who went out for the sake of the Name, and the elder says believers should support such people as fellow workers for the truth. Diotrephes, who loves to be first, refused to welcome them. The elder tells Gaius to imitate what is good, praises Demetrius, and hopes to visit soon.

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Bible:

Read 3 John 1

World English Bible · 14 verses

¹ The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ but I hope to see you soon. Then we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

3 John 1 · Preschool

Do Good

Name Date

Color the friends welcoming a traveler. God’s people do good!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.”

3 John 1:11 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Explain that God wants us to copy good things, not bad things. Talk about a good example your child can follow, and think of a way to welcome a visitor.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

3 John 1 · Grade 4

Imitate the Good

Name Date

Read and Think

The elder writes a personal letter to Gaius the beloved. He prays that Gaius will prosper in all things and be healthy, even as his soul prospers. Brothers had told the elder that Gaius walks in truth. The elder says he has no greater joy than to hear that his children walk in truth.

Gaius had shown faithful love to traveling brothers, even those who were strangers. They had gone out for the sake of the Name, taking nothing from the Gentiles. The elder says believers ought to support such people, so that they become fellow workers for the truth.

In contrast, Diotrephes loves to be first. He refuses to accept the elder, speaks against him with wicked words, refuses to welcome the brothers, and puts out of the church those who want to welcome them. So the elder says, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He commends Demetrius and hopes to speak with Gaius face to face.

Show What You Know

How does the elder describe Gaius’s soul?
Why had the traveling brothers gone out?
What wrong things did Diotrephes do?
Who does the elder commend at the end?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

lovejoytruth

Brothers had told the elder that Gaius walks in .
The elder says he has no greater than to hear that his children walk in truth.
Gaius had shown faithful to traveling brothers, even those who were strangers.

Think About It

How could your family support people who serve God far from home?
Why is loving to be first a danger in a church?

Memory Verse

“Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.”

3 John 1:11 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What brings the elder great joy?
Why should churches help missionaries?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

3 John 1 · Grade 5

Fellow Workers

Name Date

Read and Think

Third John is the most personal of the short letters. The elder writes to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. He prays, Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. Brothers had arrived and testified about Gaius’s faithfulness, and the elder says, I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.

Gaius had cared for traveling brothers, even strangers. They had testified about his love before the church. The elder asks Gaius to send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God. They went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. Supporting faithful workers makes a believer a partner in their work.

Diotrephes is the opposite example. He loves to be first among them and does not accept the elder. He talks nonsense with wicked words, refuses to receive the brothers, and forbids and puts out those who would. The elder draws the lesson: Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God. Demetrius, by contrast, has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself. The elder has much to say, but hopes to speak face to face, and he closes with peace.

Show What You Know

What does the elder pray for Gaius?
How should Gaius send the travelers forward?
How does supporting workers make someone a partner?
What does the elder say about one who does evil?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

goodloveGodtruth

The elder writes to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in .
They had testified about his before the church.
The elder asks Gaius to send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of .
He who does is of God.

Think About It

What is the difference between Gaius and Diotrephes?
Who could you encourage as a fellow worker for the truth?

Memory Verse

“We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”

3 John 1:8 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What is a good testimony?
What good thing can you do for someone this week?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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‹ All 3 John chapters · All books

3 John 1: Fellow Workers for the Truth

Read 3 John 1

Worksheets

Do Good

Prayer

Take It Home

Welcome Others

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Copy What Is Good

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Put the Story in Order

Prayer

Take It Home

A Letter to Gaius

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

No Greater Joy

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Story Order

Prayer

Take It Home

Imitate the Good

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Fellow Workers

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options