Lesson 3: What Do You Do with a Heretic? (2 John 7-13)

The word “heretic” perhaps brings to mind all kinds of thoughts and images. Are they people who get burned at the stake? Is it an old, outdated term that no longer applies to our modern society where tolerance of [almost] everyone is king? The Apostle John was not interested in mincing words when it came to this subject. He called such “heretics” by another name—deceivers—and he made clear how the church was to respond to them: “Watch yourselves!” Pastor Daniel unpacks this by stating, “Those who love in truth must protect the truth.” He ask (and answers from the text), 1) What is a false teacher? 2) Why is a false teacher dangerous? and 3) How do we respond to false teachers?

Summary by Seth Kempf, Bethany Community Church Staff