Should One Man Rule the Church? A Deep Dive into 3 John

The structure of church leadership is a topic of vital importance for the health and longevity of any congregation. In this new teaching series and digital study package, we take a verse-by-verse look at the Third Epistle of John to uncover the biblical mandate for church governance and the dangers of prideful, singular authority.

The Conflict of Leadership: Gaius vs. Diotrephes

The letter of 3 John presents a stark contrast between two types of leaders. On one hand, we see Gaius, a beloved brother commended by the Apostle for “walking in the truth” and showing hospitality to traveling ministers. On the other, we encounter Diotrephes, a man who “loves to be first” and has seized dictatorial control over his local assembly.

John’s message is clear: the New Testament church was never intended to be a “one-man show.” Through careful linguistic exegesis of the Greek text, this study highlights:

The Plurality of Elders: Why the biblical model requires a collective body of leaders for accountability and safety.
The Error of the Despot: Identifying the warning signs of a leader who rejects apostolic authority and suppresses the congregation.
The Mandate of Support: Our moral obligation to be “fellow workers with the truth” by supporting sound, faithful teaching.

Equip Your Ministry: The 3 John Study Bundle

To help you bring these truths to your own congregation or small group, we have packaged a complete set of professional resources. This bundle is designed for those who value deep, historical, and linguistic study presented in a clear, publication-ready format.

What’s included in the package:

Comprehensive Lesson Outline: A detailed roadmap of the epistle with time-stamped references to the video teaching for deep-dive study.
Teacher & Student Guides: Ready-to-use guides with discussion points and reflection questions to engage your audience.
Master Class Bible Lesson: A verse-by-verse examination focusing on church order and the marks of a saved leader.
Assessment Tools: A publication-style quiz and answer key with detailed theological rationales for every answer.

Whether you are a pastor looking to strengthen your elder board or a student of the Word seeking to understand the historical church, this study provides the tools necessary to defend and implement biblical order.

Get the Complete Study Package

Ready to take your study further? Visit our shop to download the full 3 John Study Bundle. This digital download is optimized for Microsoft Word, ensuring all professional outlines and indentations are preserved for your use.

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