"Words of Life" by Hiram Kemp - Part 13

June 3, 2026 - Wednesday PM Bible Class   This episode is a full Bible-class study of 3 John (all 15 verses), centering on its unique tone and practical focus. Hiram walks the class through John’s reversal of the usual doctrine-then-application pattern, highlighting how John stresses behavior shaped by Jesus’ teachings without explicitly naming Jesus in this short letter. The study identifies and examines five personalities featured in the epistle — the encouraging elder (John), the beloved servant (Gaius), the self-seeking troublemaker (Diotrephes), the well-recommended example (Demetrius), and the faithful friends — using them as a mirror for personal and congregational self-examination. Topics covered include the key verse 3 John 11 (“Beloved, do not imitate evil, but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God…”), the powerful prayer of 3 John 2 (prosperity in body and soul), the practice of hospitality toward traveling missionaries, stewardship as whole-life responsibility, and practical tests for spiritual character and church unity. The class reads the entire short letter aloud, surveys historical background on the name Gaius, and compares biblical witnesses (e.g., Paul’s letters, Hebrews, Proverbs) to underscore the teaching. Class interaction includes questions and observations from students, short references to earlier lessons (1 Peter), and concrete application points: praise and encourage those who live in the truth, financially and practically support gospel workers so you become a “fellow worker for the truth,” beware and confront prideful, controlling behavior that harms the church, and cultivate relationships that know people by name and testify to their character. The episode closes with practical challenges: become an encourager, tend your own soul so it prospers, examine your reputation, and choose to imitate good.   Duration 40:41