Three Devos from John
Student Ministries Pastoral Letter | March 2025
The shortest book in your Bible has incredibly compelling truths that will generate important conversations in your home. Here are three quick and easy family devotionals from 3 John.
No Greater Joy (v. 4)
John writes that his greatest joy is to hear that his children are walking in the truth, following the way of Jesus in their relationships and life-choices.
Where are you looking for joy? Is your greatest joy, your greatest hope as a family, to see one another thriving in your walk of faith? How can you encourage one another to experience God and His gospel as more delight than duty?
Loves Being First (vv. 9-10)
John is not a fan of Diotrephes (have fun with the pronunciation). In a stinging rebuke he writes that this guy’s problem is that he loves to be first – he is a self-serving leader.
Can you relate to Diotrephes? Ever thought, “If I was in charge…”? Though this is normal human behavior, it is sin, plain and simple. It is out of alignment with faith in Christ, and it is an aggressive cancer in the heart of a believer. Confess your sin to one another and pray for the faith and humility to honor those God has put in authority over you.
Face to Face (vv. 13-14)
Why is this letter so short? Because John has such a high value for actually showing up in others’ lives. Talk about what happens in your home when you turn the devices off and actively listen to each other. Discuss what happens when you don’t. Work together to create a meaningful and achievable goal for the week and ask God to help each of you make this more of a priority.
These are just a sampling of the great lessons packed into this brief letter. Take a step of faith today and ask the Lord to help you engage your family with His life-giving Word. And, if you would be so kind, pray for me to do the same. Let’s fight the urge to believe the lies that we can’t do this, or our family doesn’t want this. God’s Word is life, and who doesn’t need more of that?
For the kingdom,
Ryan Carson
Pastor of Middle School Ministry
