March 20 = 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Paul's Final Exhortations (Christian Conduct) 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

Paul's Benediction

1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

March 17 = 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

The Comfort of the Lord's Return (Believers Who Have Died)

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Sudden Arrival of the Day of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

March 16 = 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Living to Please God

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Affirmation of Continuing Love and Work

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

March 15 = 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

Paul’s Desire to Revisit the Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

Anxiety In Athens & Paul Sends Timothy to Thessalonica

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Timothy’s Encouraging Positive Report

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

Prayer for the Thessalonian Church

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

SECTION OUTLINE THREE (1 THESSALONIANS 3)

Paul talks more about his visit to the Thessalonians and rejoices over the good news Timothy has brought back to him about them.

I.    Paul’s Review (3:1–5): The apostle calls to remembrance events both during and after his previous visit to Thessalonica.

A.  The action during his visit (3:4): While he was with them, Paul warned the church that they could expect future persecution because of their faith in Christ; this soon came to pass.

B.  The action after his visit (3:1–3, 5)

1.   Where he was (3:1): He was in Athens, experiencing great concerns over the spiritual welfare of the church in Thessalonica.

2.   What he did (3:2–3, 5): He sent Timothy to minister to them.

II.   Paul’s Report (3:6–9)

A.  The return of Timothy (3:6): Paul informs them that Timothy has brought back the joyous news that they are growing in faith and love.

B.  The rejoicing of Paul (3:7–9): The apostle is greatly comforted by this news.

III.  Paul’s Request (3:10–13): Paul now lifts up a twofold prayer request.

A.  For himself (3:10–11): Paul asks God to permit him to visit the church again.

B.  For the church (3:12–13)

1.   That their love will both increase and overflow (3:12)

2.   That their hearts will be strengthened in matters of holiness (3:13)

 

 

OPEN:

• As a child, when and where did homesickness strike you the hardest? What did you do about it? 
• What room in your childhood home fills you with warm memories? What happened there?

DIG:

• Why do you think Paul called the Thessalonian church his "hope," "joy," and "crown"? 
• If Paul promised them trials and persecution when he was with them (1 Thessalonians 3:4), why is he writing to them about it now? 
• What in Timothy's report particularly encourages Paul? What does this tell you about Paul's desires and concerns for the Thessalonians? 
• What guidelines can you find in Paul's desires, concerns, and prayers for those who disciple new Christians today?

REFLECT:

• If someone were to tell you that God promises a trouble-free life to those who are true Christians, how would you respond? What are you struggling with most right now? 
• In what specific ways have you been encouraged by someone else's faith? Have you told them about it? 
• Which of Paul's prayer requests would you want someone to pray for you? Do likewise for someone in your small group.

LET HIM TAKE CARE OF IT

“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12

The real test of trust in any relationship is to be able to share our secrets and struggles, our inner fears and failures—intimacy based on honesty. It takes courage to be honest with God, and even more to be honest with one another.

The relationship between Adam and Eve is described in these words: “They were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:25) They were open and transparent with one another because there was nothing to hide or be ashamed of.

Perhaps you’ve been so hurt by a relationship and you’ve said, I will never trust anyone again. That’s because we’re not healed yet. To never trust again is like living in a tower. We’re safe from life’s threatening grasp, but we’re so detached from life that we lose consciousness of people, places, dates, and events. We talk only about the past because we stopped living years ago. Good news! “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

God’s healing process can set us free to taste life again, trust again, and live without fear. Don’t isolate, celebrate. Regardless of whether you’ve lost a marriage, a partnership, or a personal friend, you’re still alive! Are you ready to live, or are you going to continue rehearsing what no one, including you, can change—the past?

Thought of the Day: Some are graced to live alone and feel complete and fulfilled. If you are one of them, go for it! But if you’re not, trust God to bring the right person into your life at the right time.

March 14 = 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Paul's Approach to Ministry in Thessalonica

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

The Thessalonians' Response to Paul's Message & Reception And Opposition To The Message

1 Thessalonians 13-16

1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

OPEN:

• What was one of your most memorable failures in junior or senior high school?

DIG:

• What rumors about Paul have been spread by his opposition (1 Thessalonians 2:1-6)? Does Paul sound reassuring to you? What concerns might linger? 
• From 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, what does ethical evangelism look like? What would its opposite look like? What do the images of being a mother (1 Thessalonians 2:7) and father (1 Thessalonians 2:11) add to this picture? What do these images say about caring for your own children or for "young" believers? 
• What difficulties were the Thessalonians facing (1 Thessalonians 2:14-15)? How would Paul's example of perseverance in the face of persecution encourage them?

REFLECT:

• List the characteristics of a faithful Christian worker given in this passage. Which do you possess? Which do you want to develop? 
• Who has been a positive influence on you for godly living? How so? How can you be a positive influence on someone this week? 
• What turns you off about the way some people present the Gospel? How are you attempting to avoid these mistakes, and yet maintain a strong witness? 
• What opposition to your faith are you facing? What encourages you to persevere?

SECTION OUTLINE TWO (1 THESSALONIANS 2)

Paul talks about the trip he took to visit Thessalonica and about his desire to go again.

I.    Paul’s Past Trip to Thessalonica (2:1–16): The apostle overviews two factors concerning his visit to Thessalonica.

A.  How the gospel was relayed to the believers there (2:1–12): The preacher in the pulpit.

1.   Paul the persecuted (2:1–2): He speaks of his sufferings at Philippi just prior to coming to Thessalonica.

2.   Paul the pattern (2:3–6, 9–10): The apostle served as a positive role model to the church.

a.   Concerning his words (2:3–6, 10): Paul’s preaching was bold, truthful, straightforward, and sincere.

b.  Concerning his works (2:9): Paul labored long, weary hours so that he would not be a burden to the church.

3.   Paul the parent (2:7–8, 11–12)

a.   He fed and cared for them as would a loving mother (2:7–8).

b.  He encouraged and comforted them as would a loving father (2:11–12).

B.  How the gospel was received by the believers there (2:13–16): The people in the pews.

1.   The enthusiasm (2:13): They accepted Paul’s words as being from God.

2.   The enemies (2:14–16): They persevered through suffering and persecution.

II.   Paul’s Planned Trip to Thessalonica (2:17–20)

A.  Why the apostle is anxious to revisit them (2:17, 19–20)

1.   They are his reward and crown (2:17, 19b).

2.   They are his pride and joy (2:19a, 20).

B.  Why the apostle has been unable to revisit them (2:18): He has been hindered by Satan.

 

Learning from the least qualified

 

Everyone thought they would fail.

 

Within weeks of Paul and his team arriving in Thessalonica with the good news of Jesus, those who had come to faith were left without leaders, facing persecution and under intense pressure to recant their faith.

 

Paul, Silas, and Timothy had been forced to leave. Those opposed to this new Christian faith had persuaded some local troublemakers to stir up the assembled crowd with lies about the team. They had no choice but to go.

 

Paul was desperate to return. “When we were torn away from you for a short time… out of our intense longing, we made every effort to see you” (1 Thessalonians 2:17). However, for reasons unclear, they weren’t able to get back until Timothy finally made the journey on his own.

 

In an era without mobile phones or internet connections, the wait for news must have been excruciating. Had the church survived the persecution? Were they still meeting? With the longest-standing church members barely a few weeks old in the faith on the day Paul and the team left, did they have any leaders? Who was taking care of these baby Christians?

 

Eventually, Timothy returned with the welcome news that the church had indeed survived and their faith was still strong. The young Christians were standing firm despite the challenges around them, but that wasn’t all. To Paul’s joy and amazement, not only were the Thessalonian believers still meeting as a church, but they were reaching out to their local community, to the wider area, and even beyond. In fact, their passion for evangelism was the talk of the town for miles around.

 

What was their secret?

 

In the same first letter to the Thessalonians, we get some insights: The baby Christians knew they were chosen by God; the gospel had made a deep impact in their lives, and they had experienced God’s supernatural power. None of them had been mentored with leadership skills, none of them could boast any kind of spiritual heritage, but despite their lack of knowledge and training, God used them.

 

If we were to look for examples of spiritual maturity in the pages of the New Testament, we might point to well-known characters like Paul, Peter, or those trained under them; those who have been faithful in serving God over many years, in which case you can forget the Thessalonians. They don’t qualify.

 

And yet Paul tells us they had become a model church to all others within hundreds of miles.

 

Now, I don’t want to minimise the importance of education, training, and the maturity that comes with years of serving God, but maybe we can learn from young Christians too, especially those who have experienced God’s love and power and the deep impact of the Gospel. I, for one, would like some of the joy and zeal of these baby Christians to rub off on me.

 

The best is yet to come. God bless - Terry

March 13 = 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

Greetings from Paul

1 Thessalonians 1:1

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonian Believers Faith & Example

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

OPEN:

• What teams did you belong to (or aspire to) as a child? Of which team were you most proud?

DIG:

• What do you know about the Thessalonian church from Paul's experiences in Acts 17:1-9? 
• What convinced Paul that the Thessalonians were indeed chosen by God? 
• How did they first become imitators of, and then models for, the faith (1 Thessalonians 1:6-10)? What does this tell you about their growth in Christ? 
• In an age without mass media, how do you suppose their faith became so legendary?

REFLECT:

• What kind of "model" are you in matters of faith: Still on the drawing board? A work in progress? Secured in a private collection? On display at the National Museum? 
• Which of the qualities in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 do you most wish to see developed in your life now? How can the group help?

SECTION OUTLINE ONE (1 THESSALONIANS 1)

Paul opens his first letter to the Thessalonians by listing five characteristics of the church in Thessalonica.

I.    It Is an Energetic Church (1:1–3): Paul gives thanks to God.

A.  For their strong faith (1:1–3a)

B.  For their labor of love (1:3b)

II.   It Is an Elect Church (1:4): They have been chosen by God himself.

III.  It Is an Exemplary Church (1:5–7)

A.  Paul’s example to the church (1:5–6)

1.   His preaching is anointed by the Holy Spirit (1:5).

2.   His personal lifestyle is anointed by the Holy Spirit (1:6).

B.  Their example to the world (1:7): They are a model to all the believers in Greece.

IV. It Is an Evangelistic Church (1:8): Their faith in God has become known everywhere.

V.  It Is an Expectant Church (1:9–10): They are looking forward to the return of Jesus from heaven.

“Faith, Hope & Love”

“We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

Paul opens his letter to the Thessalonians with faith, hope, and love. Paul closed 1 Corinthians 13 with the same three words (“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” 1 Corinthians 13:13).

In his letter to the Corinthians, these three words refer to the substance, or character, of your walk with Christ. In his letter to the Thessalonians, we see the tangible results of these three forces at work in one’s life.

These three characteristics – faith, hope, and love – give great insight into how you can not only experience more of Christ, but also allow Him to produce a greater measure of fruitfulness in you.

Whatever God produces in you will be born out of faith. Every step you take with Christ is a step of faith in not only believing who He is, but also trusting Jesus with your decisions and desires.

Once you leave your own strength and enter into a faith walk, you begin to “labor” in Christ. Your walk of faith will take you into the unknown, place you against evil in this world, separate you from your culture and values of the world, and put you on a path you may not have anticipated.

This is labor compared to conforming to the culture and simply coasting through life.

This labor is produced out of your growing and deepening love for Jesus and for others. To the extent that you labor in your faith will typically be in direct proportion to how deep your love is for the Lord. Jesus called us to endure the race. Your endurance will be anchored in the hope you possess in Jesus and his promises.

Faith, hope, and love are all interdependent forces working together in your life. Paul ends 1 Thessalonians by saying in 5:8 “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

He uses the same three traits, but adds a small twist – “the hope of salvation as a helmet.” Ultimately, your endurance to finish the race well will be fueled by the hope of salvation you possess.

No matter what is thrown your way in life, your hope in Jesus will sustain you to the end.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- “Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

 

 

 

"Walking in Christ"

“We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

It is amazing how this Scripture, in so few words, can capture the fruitful life of a faithful follower of Christ. The three actions of work, labor, and endurance prompted by faith, love, and hope enable you to experience the fullness of Christ’s life in you.

Your foundation will always be your relationship with Christ. Your foundation in Christ begins and expands with the quality and depth of your relationship with Jesus. As your relationship with Christ grows, you are presented with opportunities to become more like Christ as well as to be used by Christ. Every opportunity that you act upon will be a step of faith.

By faith, you trust God’s leading by allowing God to perform His work in you. This type of work of God is like driving an automobile. The more you drive the automobile, the greater the chance of a light coming on indicating the need for maintenance. This is similar to the “work of Christ” that is being produced in your life.

As you live out your life in Christ, you will hit roadblocks that challenge your faith and walk with Christ. These times provide a signal (a light coming on) to go to Christ for His direction. As you work out God’s calling, your labor for Christ will not only require love, but also the full embodiment of God’s character.

Trying to accomplish work for Christ apart from the character and person of Christ is what 1 Corinthians 13:1b calls, “A resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” Your labor must reflect who God is, so that your work is usable for God’s kingdom purpose.

Finally, accomplishing God’s will in your life requires endurance. God’s work is not for show, or self-gratification, but for His purposes. This type of endurance often requires sacrifice. Sacrifice can be endured by your hope in God’s redemptive power in Christ. You persist in God’s purposes by believing in His

promises. Your hope in Christ continues to grow through your ever-expanding relationship with Him, which in turn sustains the path on which God has you.

Your life in Christ begins in a relationship with Christ, resulting in “work and labor,” but is fed through the intensifying hope of whom you have come to know as God. Faith, love, and hope become stepping stones for God shining through your life.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”