Lesson 1: How to Bring Joy to Shepherds (3 John 1-4)

Faithful pastors have a sort of universal love language: seeing their people walk in the truth. Such was the case with the Apostle John as he wrote to his friend Gaius. He was concerned for his health and general well being, but his greatest joy was in hearing about Gaius’s faithfulness. Pastor Daniel says it this way: “The thing that will make a good spiritual shepherd happy (obedience to God through faith in Christ) is the same thing that will bring me the most joy.” Breaking this down further, he states the following: 1) Good shepherds really love you, 2) Good shepherds demonstrate love by wanting good things for you, 3) Good shepherds can have no greater joy than to find you walking in obedience to God, and 4) Therefore, making a good shepherd happy means that I am pursuing that which will bring me the greatest joy.

Summary by Seth Kempf, Bethany Community Church Staff