Lesson sequence
3 John 1: A Greeting from the Elder
3 John 1:1–4; 3 John 1:5–8; 3 John 1:9–12; 3 John 1:13–14
In 3 John, the elder writes warmly to Gaius, praising his truth and love, warning about harmful behaviour, and ending with a hope to visit. This lesson helps children notice how truth, welcome and godly example fit together in this short letter.
Before you teach
This letter is addressed to Gaius by “the elder”. It begins with joy that Gaius is walking in truth, then commends his faithful help to travelling brothers and strangers. It contrasts Diotrephes, who refuses people and rejects the writer’s words, with Demetrius, who has a good testimony, before closing with greetings and hope for a visit.
Students will identify three main teachings in 3 John: walk in truth, receive faithful workers, and imitate what is good.
Your lesson sequence
Use the teaching outline below for each session, with these reading and activity choices.
Joy in Walking in Truth
3 John 1:1–4
The elder’s joy is tied to hearing that Gaius walks in truth.
Try together: Students identify what brings the elder joy and explain from the verses how Gaius’ conduct matches the truth testified about him.
Faithful Hospitality
3 John 1:5–8
Gaius is commended for faithful help to brothers and strangers, and the letter explains that they went out for the sake of the Name and took nothing from the Gentiles.
Try together: Students list what Gaius did and describe why receiving such workers matters in the passage.
Do Not Imitate Evil
3 John 1:9–12
The letter contrasts Diotrephes’ harmful behaviour with Demetrius’ good testimony.
Try together: Students compare the two men and state the command given in the middle of the contrast.
Peace and Face-to-Face Fellowship
3 John 1:13–14
The conclusion values personal fellowship, peace, greetings from friends, and the instruction to greet the friends by name.
Try together: Students explain what the elder hopes to do next and how the final greetings shape the tone of the letter.
Welcome: Truth in a Short Letter
4 minShow children that this is a personal letter with real names and clear themes. Introduce Gaius, Diotrephes and Demetrius. Explain that the writer keeps returning to “truth”, and that this truth is seen in how people live, speak and treat others. Ask children to listen for examples of each one as you read.
3 John 1:1, 3 John 1:3, 3 John 1:9, 3 John 1:12
Read and Explain: Walking in Truth
7 minRead verses 1 to 4 aloud. Point out that the elder loves Gaius “in truth” and rejoices because Gaius walks in truth. Explain simply that Gaius’ conduct matches the truth testified about him in these verses. Notice too that the writer prays for Gaius’ health and well-being with warmth and care.
3 John 1:1, 3 John 1:2, 3 John 1:3, 3 John 1:4
Discuss: Welcoming Faithful Workers
6 minRead verses 5 to 8. Explain that Gaius is called faithful because he helps “brothers and strangers”, even people not already known to him. Verse 7 gives the reason for support: they went out “for the sake of the Name” and were “taking nothing from the Gentiles”. The letter says receiving such people makes believers “fellow workers for the truth”. Discuss practical, safe ways children can help God’s people and show love.
3 John 1:5, 3 John 1:6, 3 John 1:7, 3 John 1:8
Make and Respond: Good Example or Bad Example?
8 minRead verses 9 to 12. Contrast Diotrephes, who wants to be first and refuses the brothers, with Demetrius, who has a good testimony. Help children see the direct instruction: “Don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good.” Invite them to choose one key phrase and make a reminder card about truth, welcome or doing good.
3 John 1:9, 3 John 1:10, 3 John 1:11, 3 John 1:12
Closing: Peace and Personal Care
5 minRead verses 13 to 14. Notice that the elder wants more than a written message. He hopes to see Gaius and speak face to face. The letter ends with peace, greetings from friends, and the instruction, “Greet the friends by name.” Close by reviewing the lesson goal and asking children to name one truth they can remember from this letter.
3 John 1:13, 3 John 1:14
Questions to explore
Why does the elder say he has great joy about Gaius?
Look for the repeated word “truth” and notice what Gaius is doing with it, not just what he knows.
3 John 1:3, 3 John 1:4
What made Gaius’ work “faithful” in this letter?
Notice that he helped travelling believers, including strangers, and that verse 7 explains they went out for the sake of the Name and were taking nothing from the Gentiles.
3 John 1:5, 3 John 1:6, 3 John 1:7
What difference do you see between Diotrephes and Demetrius?
Compare the actions and testimony in these verses, then connect them to the instruction about imitating good.
3 John 1:9, 3 John 1:10, 3 John 1:11, 3 John 1:12
Make, think or respond
Truth Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- card or paper
- pencils or markers
- Bible
- optional stickers or coloured pencils
Try it together
- Read 3 John 1:4, 3 John 1:8 and 3 John 1:11, then let each child choose one verse or short phrase.
- Talk about one realistic example of what that verse could look like at home, church or school.
- Fold card or paper in half and write the chosen phrase on the front.
- Inside, draw or write one action that matches the verse, such as welcoming, telling the truth or choosing good.
- Invite children to share their card and say why they chose that reminder.
The card helps children remember that 3 John connects truth with faithful actions, receiving others and imitating what is good.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, pre-write short phrases such as “walk in truth” or “imitate what is good” for them to trace and decorate.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to sort the verses into three headings: truth, welcome and example, then explain their choices from the text.
An optional closing prayer
You might pray: “Lord, please help us walk in truth, do what is faithful, and imitate what is good. Help us care for your people with love and peace. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
3 John 1
1 The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.
3 For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.
4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.
5 Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.
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,
7 because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.
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.
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.
12 Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;
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.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.