The Bible Study Reading PlanSample

SECOND LETTER

AUDIENCE:
The audience of 2 John is widely debated because he does not specify who the "elect lady and her children" are. That leaves it up to you to decide between the three main options that I have heard.

First, John could be writing to an unknown woman who has her own house church, most likely in Ephesus.

Second, John could be writing to a church as a whole and its members. The "elect lady" would be the church itself, her "children" could be the members, and her "sister" could be another church.

Third, which is rarely taught but makes the most sense to me, is that John was writing to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary would have been known as an "elect lady" considering she was the mother of Jesus Christ. We know that she had other children and a sister. Also, John was told by Jesus to look after her, which would go in line with the topic of this letter.

But we don't know for sure and quite frankly, it isn't that important.

REASON:
John writes to her as a warning against showing hospitality to false teachers.

THEME:
Hospitality.

KEY VERSE:

"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting." (10 ESV)

SPLIT:

Love Others (1-6), Be Cautious (7-13)

KEY WORDS:

Love, Abide, Antichrist, Teaching