READING:
One-year plan: 1 John 4-5, 2 John, 3 John, Jude
Two-year plan: Zechariah 1-2, Revelation 18:9-24
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John had much to say to the believers to whom he wrote, and he could easily have written more to them via his “pen and paper.” What he writes to them, though, at the end of 2 John (and, in very similar fashion in 3 John) are these words: “Though I have many things to write to you, I don’t want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face so that our joy may be complete” (2 John 12).
Some form of written communication between believers is a good start to strengthening a relationship, but there’s nothing quite like a face-to-face (or a “mouth to mouth” conversation, as 2 John 12 literally reads in the original language). As famous commentator John Stott wrote, “Spoken words are less easily misunderstood than written words, because it is not only by language that the speaker conveys his meaning, but by the tone of his voice and the expression on his face.”*
To be honest, I wish my young ministry students recognized this truth. They’ve been raised on electronic communication that does not require “mouth-to-mouth” conversations, and I fear they’re seeking to do ministry with far too few actual words. They talk to, pray for, counsel with, and lift up others via texts and other means—which are not negative in themselves—but they consequently miss the value of spoken words that convey empathy and care. I long for them to learn the value of presence and proclamation ministry that simply encourages and edifies others.
I realize I write today as an older believer not raised on electronic communication, but I encourage you to make a phone call or a visit today rather than simply send a text or message.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Aren’t you grateful today that God came to us Himself in Christ?
DAILY PRAYER: “Lord, help me to reach out to someone today who needs to hear my voice as well as my words.”
MONDAY’S READING:
One-year plan: Revelation 1-7
Two-year plan: Zechariah 3-6, Revelation 19
MEMORIZATION VERSE (December 16-31)
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
*Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 19, p. 218). InterVarsity Press.