BLEST BE THE TIE THAT BINDS
A Bible Study for Women using the authorized King James Bible, the only inerrant Word of God
By Patricia Dowers
Introduction
We, as Christian women, desire to fulfill our role and purpose in our local churches here on earth as we wait for the Lord’s reappearing. Apart from our specific gifts that the Lord has bestowed on each of us, there are expectations common to all. Please join me in discovering how we can encourage and nurture each other within the Body of Christ in our local churches to the honor and glory of God.
Please note: In this study, as in all others, it is important to read all Scripture references for yourself that you may know what God has to say.
Session 1
The Good News and the Bad News
The Third Epistle of John is one of the smallest books of the Bible. Yet, it gives us a wonderful little snapshot of function and life in a first century Christian Church. The Apostle John is writing to his dear friend, Gaius regarding a very concerning situation that threatens to undermine this little assembly of believers.
Please take a moment to read through the Third Epistle of John.
We remember that the Apostle John was also one of the original twelve disciples chosen by the Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry. After Pentecost, the disciples were sent out to spread the gospel and establish local churches or assemblies of Christian men and women.
These churches, now free from the legalism of Judaic law, functioned under the blood and grace of Jesus Christ. Men held specific roles of leadership and were responsible for personal holiness before God and each other.
Times were dangerous. Pagan Rome still governed the land and Christians were constantly and horribly persecuted. The Christian churches were often underground and provided refuge, peace and spiritual strength for daily existence. We can imagine how important it was (and still is) for these churches to remain under God’s protection and blessing and to keep themselves unspotted from the world. (Jam. 1:27)
The Apostles, including John, would travel from church to church, write letters or send messengers, provide spiritual guidance and instruction, and oversee giving. In this case, John was writing with a dual purpose, which was to encourage one who was doing well and to warn against one who was not.
As we explore III John in this study, take note that this letter could have been written to a local church today. Time does not change God’s expectations for the local church nor does it change the temptation to step away from obedience to God’s Word. Also, please keep in mind that although John does not mention women in this epistle, we read elsewhere in scripture that women played important roles in the church, particularly in hospitality, and the teaching of children. Most likely the leaders of this church were married and their wives, in most circumstances, probably supported and reflected the convictions of their husbands. Women are also in a unique position to influence and admonish their husbands when appropriate.
Let us take a moment to explore God’s Word for the women of the early New Testament Churches.
Please identify the function of the women in the following verses:
II Tim. 1:5 Lois and Eunice __________________________
Acts 9:36 Dorcas __________________________________
Rom. 16:1,2 Phebe ________________________________
Acts 18:2,3 Priscilla________________________________
Rom. 16:6 Mary ___________________________________
Acts 16:14,15 Lydia________________________________
Because I have moved a number of times over the years, I have had the opportunity to fellowship in as many different churches. I found that one does not have to attend very long before one observes either a strong, functioning, Bible believing church, or dysfunction due to allowing behavior contrary to God’s order.
Over the next three sessions we will examine examples of three church members who could be found in any Christian church across time including today. These three happen to be men but as we learned above, women played important roles in the early church, as well as today. John’s lessons and warnings are for all of us.
Session 2
Gaius
The Apostle John must have spent some significant time with this church to develop such a close relationship with Gaius.
Please read III John: 1-8 aloud in your group.
In verse 1, what are the two things John says about Gaius?
1.
2.
John does not address his letter to the church in general but specifically to Gaius. This tells me that Gaius was not only someone that John could trust with his concerns but someone who had enough authority over this church to affect change. Perhaps he was a fellow elder, perhaps a fellow church member respected by all for his attributes. Let us look at some of these attributes.
In verse 2, what does John say about the condition of Gaius’ soul?
What two things does John rejoice over in verse 3?
1.
2.
What do we know about Gaius from verse 5?
I believe we can easily see the importance of these attributes in today’s church. God does not change and neither does His law and will for the church. Indeed, the spiritual growth of the local church depends on the continuous development and nurturing of these attributes in each of its membership.
Discuss with your group examples of how we practice soul prospering (or growth), walking in truth, and faithfulness toward brethren and strangers.
We must remember that just as it is today, an important function of the early church was to send out and receive missionaries. (Rom. 16:1-15) As this was God’s will, He blessed the efforts of evangelism, and the Gospel was spread and churches established over much of Asia Minor and southern Europe. Missionaries were dependent on these churches for support and sustenance.
Please copy III John: 7,8 in the space below.
In all these years the program has not changed. The directive from God is to spread the gospel. It is the same for all of us. As part of the Body of Christ we accomplish this in different ways. Some go out to the lost and some stay back and financially and prayerfully support those who go. All aspects of this work are equally important because you cannot accomplish one without the other. You do not have a Biblical New Testament church unless you are actively sending and supporting missionaries.
In the space below list some of the ways your church supports missionaries in the field. Then make another list of how they are welcomed when they come home. Discuss these with your group to determine if anything could be improved.
I am sure that Mrs. Gaius was very thankful for her godly husband when she read these words from John, and she probably labored beside him in helping to spiritually grow this church. In the next session we will meet another church member with different attributes.
Session 3
Diotrephes
Please read aloud with your group, III John: 9-11. We have to ask, “who is this man and how did he gain his position of authority!” Diotrephes may have been a church elder; he may have been a man of financial wealth and influence; or perhaps he was just a church member with a self-serving controlling personality.
I have met Diotrephes a number of different times in different churches in some of the places I have lived. Sometimes, he was a man, but in one case, a woman. Perhaps you have met him, also. If so, you know how persuasive and intimidating he can be. I believe the Lord gave us the example of the Diotrephes of III John because He knew this would be an important weapon in Satan’s arsenal to disrupt and destroy the local church down through the ages.
Let us assume for the moment that this Diotrephes was a church elder or bishop. Please read Titus 1:7-9 where we learn about the attributes of an elder or bishop.
In the space below please list these attributes.
Do you find any of these attributes in our Diotrephes? I think we agree the answer is, no. This leads us to the next question, namely, how did this happen!
My guess would be “subtlety”. It is Satan’s first and most used weapon. (Gen. 3:1) Webster’s Dictionary uses in its definition of the word, subtlety, the term, “a delicate distinction”. Doesn’t this sound harmless? Well, one little delicate distinction changes the truth into a lie where God’s Word is concerned, and one little delicate distinction permits another one until you cannot even remember where it started. Also, the seeds of delicate distinctions grow deep roots and, watered from the rivers of Hell, spread quickly.
This may have been the scenario that brought Diotrephes to his position of authority. In any case, there he was, inflicting his will on others and undermining the testimony of the church. John assures Gaius that Diotrephes will be dealt with, but lovingly warns Gaius about being more watchful in the future.
Please read III John: 11 and write it in the space below.
One of the sins of Diotrephes was not receiving the brethren and not allowing anyone else to receive them. Scripture does not tell us why this was the case but one reason may have been financial. If a church does not make it a priority to support missions or visiting pastors, that money could stay with the church. It could be used for building projects, new choir robes, or larger salaries for those who minister. There is nothing wrong with these projects unless they are at the expense of missions. This, however, is the policy of some churches but we know from Scripture they are not truly New Testament Churches and are not blessed or ordained of God.
Please read the verses listed below. What does God say about how we should treat missionaries and visitors?
Gal. 6:10
Phi. 4:3
Col. 4:10
I The 5:26
I Tim. 6:17,18
Titus 3:13
I hope that Mrs. Diotrephes was not enjoying her husband’s leadership because I have a feeling her life would be changing soon. Perhaps she was a godly woman praying daily for her husband’s repentance. Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if her prayers had been answered that way? God is gracious and merciful and always willing to forgive when we come to Him in brokenness and repentance.
In our next session we will spend some time with one more church member. I believe he will be familiar to you.
Session 4
Demetrius
Just one short verse is all that John has to say about this Demetrius (there is another mentioned in Acts), but Scripture gives us a wealth of insight.
Please read III John: 12 and write it in the space below.
First of all, what do we know about Demetrius? He has a good report. There is nothing anyone can honestly say about Demetrius that is negative. Secondly, The good report is from all men, not just the men of his church. Even in the secular world, he has a good report. That is his witness before the world. The same should be said of you and me. (Gal. 6:10)
Next, Demetrius has a good report of the truth itself. What is the truth? I believe the truth is the Word and the Word is the Lord Jesus. A good report from Jesus, as defined in His Word, should be our ultimate goal in all that we say and do.
The Apostle John adds his own testimony to the character of Demetrius. We know from the accounts of John in the Gospels that John also received a good report on his character from the Lord. In this light, John’s endorsement of Demetrius holds extra weight.
Below is a hymn written in 1782 by Baptist minister, John Fawcett entitled, Blest Be The Tie That Binds.
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one
Our comforts and our cares.
We share each other’s woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.
When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.
This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.
From sorrow, toil and pain,
And sin, we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity.
Please read through the words of this old, familiar hymn and give yourself and your church a report on how you measure up. Discuss this with your group. Jot your notes in the space below.
Conclusion
Remember at the end of Session 3, I mentioned that Demetrius, may be familiar to you? I hope he is because Mr. and perhaps, Mrs. Demetrius should embody all of our church membership. No matter what our function, we should receive a good report of all men both inside and outside of the church. Our witness for the Lord and our actions toward each other should identify us with Jesus in a way that brings a good report from Him. I pray you have a good report of all men and of the truth itself and…
May we ever be thankful for the tie that binds.