Read Together: 3 John 5–8

The apostle John commends Gaius for how he has received and supported traveling preachers and missionaries. These were men who traveled from city to city planting and strengthening churches. They were sent out “for the sake of the name”—for the sake of Jesus, to make him known. Gaius had taken part in supporting these missionaries, showing them kindness and Christlike love, receiving them into his home while they were in town.  

John writes that we ought to do likewise. We take part in the mission of Christ when we support those who have gone out “for the sake of the name.” When we actively support those on mission, we get to be fellow-workers, or co-workers, for the truth about Jesus. So, while we live on mission and walk in the truth in our own contexts, we also take part in the mission elsewhere through partnering with those who go where we cannot.

Discussion Questions

1.    Why should we support missionaries?

2.    What does it mean to be a “fellow worker for the truth”?

3.    What are some ways we can we show love for and support to missionaries?

Ideas for Younger Kids

• Read 3 John 5–8 with your kids. Ask them: “What is a missionary?” and talk about how our church sends and supports missionaries who go to another place to tell other people about Jesus. Talk with your kids about the missionaries Eastport supports and how we are working together with them to spread the truth about Jesus around the world.  

Memorization: “Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.” (3 John 8)

Song: Listen to “May the Peoples Praise You” (Keith and Kristyn Getty). “This our holy privilege to declare/Your praises and Your name/To every nation, tribe and tongue/Your church proclaims.”

Pray Together

Focus your prayer time together on the following areas:

• Praise the Lord for the privilege and blessing of representing Jesus in the world.
• Confess before God for when we have neglected to support the mission in prayer and in other ways.
• Pray that God would help us live on mission for Jesus each day.  
• Pray that God would help us faithfully support others on mission.

Go Together

• Take some extra time this week to pray for the missionaries our church supports. If you have our missions prayer journal, that is a great place to start. If you would like a digital copy of this prayer journal, please let Pastor Nathan know, and he can send you one.