Dive Deeper Together
Welcome to No-Teacher Bible Study, a space for weekly assignments for our collaborative exploration of Scripture with friends.
We use a combination of personal inductive study, trusted sermons, reference materials, and commentary from a reformed perspective. We call it "Inductive-ish."
The new assignments are posted at the top of the page on Mondays, Lord willing.
2 and 3 John: An Inductive(ish) Study
If 2–3 John has taught us anything, it is that Christians are called to walk in both truth and love. May the Lord help us abide faithfully in Christ, love His people well, and walk carefully in His truth.
New study begins June 8!
May 25 - 3 John 9-15
Ladies,
We’re already to the last week of our study - 3 John 9-15.
If you haven’t signed up for the next study and are interested, please let me know as soon as possible. We’ll be reading Colossians starting June 8 through August 16.
At a glance for this week
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your reading, for your sisters in this study, and for our pastors as they teach and counsel this week
• Read 3 John 9-15
• Identify questions about the text that intrigue you
• Pick a verse for meditation
• Explore resources to find answers and deepen understanding
• Plan to share one insight or question with the group
Step 1 – Pray
Ask the Lord to enlighten your reading and listening this week, and for the study group and pastors.
Step 2 – Read
Read 3 John 9-15 slowly. Notice anything that surprises or challenges you. If you have trouble focusing, try reading it out loud.
Step 3 – Ask questions
Look for questions the text raises for you. Searching for answers adds depth to study.
Step 4 – Choose a verse for meditation
Pick one verse and write it on an index card or sticky note from your folder. Place it somewhere you will see it often—by your computer, over the sink, or on the bathroom mirror.
Step 5 – Explore resources
Use the teachers and resources from this email that you find most helpful to answer your questions or learn more. Supplement with commentaries, study Bibles, or other tools as you wish.
Step 6 – Share with the group
Plan to share at least one helpful insight or question. Participation encourages everyone, but if it’s difficult for you this week, that’s okay too.
Resources
Ligonier Devotionals (Print)
3 John 9-15 https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/imitate-good
John MacArthur (Audio MP3)
3 John 9-14
Alistair Begg (Audio MP3)
3 John 9-10 https://downloads.truthforlife.org/free_downloads/2643-condemnationofdiotrephes.mp3
3 John 9-14 https://downloads.truthforlife.org/free_downloads/2644-commendationofdemetrius.mp3
Richard Caldwell
3 John 9-15 https://cloud.sermonaudio.com/media/audio/low/61516191210.mp3?ts=1769607932&language=eng&download=true
May 18 - 3 John 1-8
Ladies,
This week we’ll study 3 John 1-8. Feel free to use any commentary, study Bible, or tool you find helpful. I’ve included many resources below—think of it as a library rather than a required list. Pick and choose what works best for you.
At a glance for this week
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your reading, for your sisters in this study, and for our pastors as they teach and counsel this week
• Read 3 John 1-8
• Identify questions about the text that intrigue you
• Pick a verse for meditation
• Explore resources to find answers and deepen understanding
• Plan to share one insight or question with the group
Step 1 – Pray
Ask the Lord to enlighten your reading and listening this week, and for the study group and pastors.
Step 2 – Read
Read 3 John 1-8 slowly. Notice anything that surprises or challenges you. If you have trouble focusing, try reading it out loud.
Step 3 – Ask questions
Look for questions the text raises for you. Searching for answers adds depth to study.
Step 4 – Choose a verse for meditation
Pick one verse and write it on an index card or sticky note from your folder. Place it somewhere you will see it often—by your computer, over the sink, or on the bathroom mirror.
Step 5 – Explore resources
Use the teachers and resources from this email that you find most helpful to answer your questions or learn more. Supplement with commentaries, study Bibles, or other tools as you wish.
Step 6 – Share with the group
Plan to share at least one helpful insight or question. Participation encourages everyone, but if it’s difficult for you this week, that’s okay too.
Resources
Find these on our website—bookmark for easy access:
https://www.no-teacher-bible-study.com/
Ligonier Devotionals (Print)
3 John 1-4 https://learn.ligonier.org/scripture/3-john-1
3 John 5-8 https://learn.ligonier.org/scripture/3-john-1
John MacArthur (Audio MP3)
3 John 1-8
https://mic-development-us5p473zyq-core-4j1au-mediabucket-6bjazokcoje1.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/Audio%2FSermons%2F64_1_206db81ae0.mp3
Alistair Begg (Audio MP3)
3 John 1-8 https://downloads.truthforlife.org/free_downloads/2641-walkinthetruthpartone.mp3
3 John 1-8b https://downloads.truthforlife.org/free_downloads/2642-walkinthetruthparttwo.mp3
Richard Caldwell
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Ladies,
This week we’ll study 2 John 7-13. Feel free to use any commentary, study Bible, or tool you find helpful. I’ve included many resources below—think of it as a library rather than a required list. Pick and choose what works best for you.
At a glance for this week
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your reading, for your sisters in this study, and for our pastors as they teach and counsel this week
• Read 2 John 7-13
• Identify questions about the text that intrigue you
• Pick a verse for meditation
• Explore resources to find answers and deepen understanding
• Plan to share one insight or question with the group
Step 1 – Pray
Ask the Lord to enlighten your reading and listening this week, and for the study group and pastors.
Step 2 – Read
Read 2 John 7-13 slowly. Notice anything that surprises or challenges you. If you have trouble focusing, try reading it out loud.
Step 3 – Ask questions
Look for questions the text raises for you. Searching for answers adds depth to study.
Step 4 – Choose a verse for meditation
Pick one verse and write it on an index card or sticky note from your folder. Place it somewhere you will see it often—by your computer, over the sink, or on the bathroom mirror.
Step 5 – Explore resources
Use the teachers and resources from this email that you find most helpful to answer your questions or learn more. Supplement with commentaries, study Bibles, or other tools as you wish.
Step 6 – Share with the group
Plan to share at least one helpful insight or question. Participation encourages everyone, but if it’s difficult for you this week, that’s okay too.
Resources
Find these on our website—bookmark for easy access:
https://www.no-teacher-bible-study.com/
Ligonier Devotionals (Print)
2 John 7 https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/docetic-heresy
2 John 7-13 https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/do-not-receive-him
John MacArthur (Audio MP3)
2 John 9-13
Alistair Begg
2 John 7-13 https://downloads.truthforlife.org/free_downloads/2638-responserequestreminder.mp3
2 John 7-13b https://downloads.truthforlife.org/free_downloads/2639-thedangerofdeception.mp3
Richard Caldwell
2 John 7-11 https://cloud.sermonaudio.com/media/audio/low/521151210220.mp3?ts=1769680221&language=eng&download=true
2 John 7-11 https://cloud.sermonaudio.com/media/audio/low/61415180370.mp3?ts=1769674740&language=eng&download=true
2 John 11-13 https://cloud.sermonaudio.com/media/audio/low/61715939332.mp3?ts=1769685280&language=eng&download=true
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2 John 1–6 Study – May 4
Ladies,
This week we’ll dig into 2 John 1–6. Feel free to use any commentary, study Bible, or tool you find helpful. I’ve included many resources below—think of it as a library rather than a required list. Pick and choose what works best for you, or what might answer your questions. You’ll notice a new speaker, Richard Caldwell. Pastor Logan recommended this pastor who he listens to and is helped by.
- At a glance for this week
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your reading, for your sisters in this study, and for our pastors as they teach and counsel this week
• Read 2 John 1–6 every day
• Identify questions about the text that intrigue you
• Pick a verse for meditation- Explore resources to find answers and deepen understanding
- Plan to share at least one insight or question with the group.
Step 1 – Pray
Ask the Lord to enlighten your reading and listening this week, and for the study group and our pastors.
Step 2 – Read
Read 2 John 1–6 slowly. Notice anything that surprises or challenges you. Reading out loud helps me slow down.
Step 3 – Ask questions
Look for questions the text raises for you. For example, from v. 1, “Who is the elect lady, and who are her children?” Searching for answers adds depth to study.
Jonathan Edwards: “Asking questions is the key to understanding.”
Write the questions in your booklet – I use the blank page facing the text I’m working on, but you do what seems right for you. When you get the answer, you can write it there, too.
Step 4 – Choose a verse for meditation
Pick one verse and write it on an index card or sticky note from your folder. Place it somewhere you will see it often—by your computer, over the sink, or on the bathroom mirror.
Step 5 – Explore resources
Use the teachers and resources from this email that you find most helpful to answer your questions or learn more. Supplement with commentaries, study Bibles, or other tools as you wish. I'm trying something new/old school this week. I've downloaded the resources I want to listen to for the week on an old MP3 player so I can just press play without trying to find the correct links on my phone every time. I'll let you know how it goes!
Step 6 – Share with the group
Plan to share at least one helpful insight or question. Participation encourages everyone, but if it’s difficult for you this week, that’s okay too. Participation makes this feel more like a group study rather than just studying individually.
Resources
Find these on our website—bookmark for easy access:
https://www.no-teacher-bible-study.com/
Ligonier Devotionals (Print)
2 John 1-3 https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/truth-and-love
2 John 4-6 https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/walk-love
John MacArthur (Audio MP3)
2 John 1- 4
2 John 1-4b
2 John 5-8
Alistair Begg (Audio MP3)
2 John 1-3 https://downloads.truthforlife.org/free_downloads/2637-truthandlove.mp3
2 John 5-6 https://downloads.truthforlife.org/free_downloads/2638-responserequestreminder.mp3
John Piper (Audio MP3)
2 John https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/life-together-at-the-end-of-the-age#
Richard Caldwell
2 John 1-3 https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/61715939332/a?autoplay=1
2: John 5-6 https://cloud.sermonaudio.com/media/audio/low/6315652264.mp3?ts=1769685755&language=eng&download=true
Praying for you as you study,
Susan
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April 27 – Key Words and Lists
Ladies,
This week we’ll continue reading 2 & 3 John in overview mode, aiming to read the whole text again about five times.
At a glance for this week
• Keep reading 2 & 3 John daily
• Identify 4–6 key words
• Create a symbol/color legend
• Mark those words in the text, make lists and summaries
How to find key words
Key words often:
• Appear frequently, or
• Appear only a few times but connect closely to your key verse or themes
You may also want to include synonyms (for example: works, deeds, labors).
We’ll plan to share our key words on Friday so we can compare notes.
Step 1 – Choose keywords
2 John 1–6 Study – May 4
Pick 4–6 important words and write them on the first page of your text.
Step 2 – Create a legend
Choose a color or symbol for each word and add it next to your list of keywords, like a legend on a map. I added a sample chart to the syllabus page for you.
Step 3 – Mark the text
Begin marking those words in the text as you read. Some people mark them all at once; others do one word per read-through. Again, you can draw little pictures or shapes, or underline or highlight in different colors.
Step 4 – Make your lists
On the notebook paper in your booklet, make a separate list for each keyword. For each instance, write the verse reference and a short note explaining how the word is used in context (i.e. for “Love” - 2john6 love is walking according to His commandments)
Step 5 – Summarize
Once your lists are complete, take a few minutes to reflect. Write a 1–2 line summary of what John is saying about each keyword. This might feel challenging, but it always leads to deep thinking—even if the summary isn’t “perfect.”
Happy reading and marking, ladies! I’m looking forward to seeing what we notice together. Susan
_______________________________________________________________
April 20 – Overview of 2 and 3 John
Ladies,
Welcome to our study of 2 and 3 John! I’m thankful we get to open God’s Word together again, and I’m looking forward to hearing what you notice as we read these short letters.
At a glance for this week
• Read or listen to 2 & 3 John several times – aim for 5 times over 7 days (together they’re only 28 verses)
• Notice repeated themes
• Choose a key verse (one for both books or one for each)
• Note anything about the author and recipients
For this study, please think of 2 and 3 John as two chapters of one book.
This first week is simply about seeing the big picture. As you read, notice ideas that repeat and jot them down if it’s helpful. Those observations will help when we do our keyword study next week.
You might also look for a key verse that captures the message of the books and write it on the first page of your text. And if you see clues about the author or recipients, make a list of those on the paper in your folder. (It will look something like: “2 John 1: John addresses the recipients as the Elect Lady, and her children”)
Below is my tentative plan, but please do whatever works within the time the Lord gives you. There’s no standard for “enough”—every bit of time in the Word is good.
Mon – Read the books out loud
Tues – Listen while driving
Wed – Watch overview: https://bibleproject.com/guides/books-of-1-3-john/
Thurs – Read, looking for the key verse
Fri – Read, looking for information about the author and recipients and make a list.
Weekend – Catch up, reread, or explore other resources like this summary:
https://www.paultripp.com/bible-study/posts/064-2nd--3rd-john-summary
If you notice something helpful or have a question, feel free to reply all so we can learn from each other. This really is a group study.
Praying for you as we begin,
Susan
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