Saint Matthew

Watch past videos and download handouts at our Bible Study Media page.

WINTER/SPRING BIBLE STUDY | Inside the Johannine Communities: Rifts, Discernment, and Sharing in Love of Truth – A Study of the Letters of John [1, 2, 3]

Come join our learning community on Wednesdays—at “Ruth & Junia’s House” (618 West Grafton Place, Anaheim)—or on Facebook Live for those who cannot travel, who live both near or far.

Schedule:
6pm Simple Supper
7-8pm Bible Study
(both in person and Facebook Live/Zoom/YouTube)

On Facebook go to ‘Saint Matthew Bible Study Group,’ find the link, and join!   

Join the Saint Matthew Bible Study group on Facebook (and view the Bible Study recording at a later time)

Search for “Saint Matthew Bible Study” or visit facebook.com/groups/2790944940960983/. The group is open to Saint Matthew members and anyone else from all over the world who would like to participate.

If you are unable to meet with us in person, you are welcome to join live on Zoom (details will be available on the Facebook group page)

Description

These three short books are rarely included in the Lectionary, so as a result, many people are not aware of them. The 4th Gospel, the Gospel of John, is familiar to us, and is also connected with them. They were written near the end of the 1st century or beginning of the 2nd CE. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd letters are packed with a powerful story that can inspire us to better understand the workings of early Johannine house churches. Torn by conflict and marred by schism, the congregation to which the Elder was writing was sorely in need of his strong exhortations to love and unify within the bounds of truth. So how did they define themselves? Differences surfaced among them which were influenced by emerging alternative theologies such as Docetism and Gnosticism, which came to be recognized as heresies. We have a record of some of their conflicts and struggles in leadership, and how the Elder overseeing them sought to address spiritual and practical boundaries that could be tested in daily living. As we dig deeply, there are lessons here which remain applicable today in developing and maintaining cohesive and intimate spiritual communities as well as relationships among ourselves. Come join our learning community on Wednesdays – at the church — or on zoom for those who cannot travel, who live both near or far.