What causes you to "blow a gasket": Traffic jams? Christmas shopping? Bickering children? Burned dinners? Or what?
DIG:
From this passage, what people make up the Christian community?
What attitudes underlie Paul's various commands here? What impressions of the Christian life do these commands give you?
How would you summarize the goal and hope of the Christian life (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) in your own words?
How do the many commands in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 relate to the multi-dimensional blessing of 1 Thessalonians 5:23? To the promise of 1 Thessalonians 5:24? To the requests of 1 Thessalonians 5:25-27? To the benediction of 1 Thessalonians 5:28?
REFLECT:
Of the various commands, which are most relevant to your church? Your small group? Your workplace? You? Which do you feel you are already practicing well? Which one will you work on this week? How?
What encouragement, sanctification, and grace do you receive from God to fulfill these commands? How has your small group been a help to you in this regard?
Devotional
It’s Our Job
An organization called OnePoll did a survey concerning the generous habits of Americans. The results showed that the average American commits five good deeds a month—and wants to do more. Some of the good deeds were little more than good manners (holding a door open for a stranger), while some required personal investment (carrying groceries home or paying for a stranger’s meal). When people were invited to share the nicest thing anybody ever did for them, the stories were touching tributes to human decency and kindness to those unable to pay it back.
These stories are all around us because kind and good people are everywhere. A school bus driver in Copperas Cove (west of Temple), Texas, didn’t want children waiting in tall weeds at the bus stop—so he came back with his mower and groomed the abandoned property. A sergeant returning from overseas deployment for the birth of his son got stranded by the weather at an airport in Pennsylvania until a group of health workers on the way to a conference drove him the last eight hours in a blowing snowstorm. A 27-year-old worker at a New York Taco Bell routinely writes inspirational quotes and messages on the receipts she provides. A man on a plane found a lost wallet that contained ID and a paycheck, added some of his own cash, and anonymously mailed it back to the owner. These, and many other, stories play out every day as people do the work commissioned from the Lord—whether they realize it or not.
“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else” (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 NIV).
Daily kindnesses make our lives run smoothly. When we receive kindness from another, it reminds us that almost all people have similar interests and challenges. When we perform a good deed for another, we are filled with a joyous warmth that reminds us that we are, at heart, good people who want good things for others. All of this comes to us in the teachings of Jesus. He called us to care for one another without first deciding how it might be to our advantage.
God has been so good and generous to us that we are drawn to Him. We want to show those same character qualities to others as we go through our lives. We know that we have the ability to make another’s life brighter and happier just by a simple act of kindness. We all deplore the cruelties and crudities of our world. Here is a way to reflect some of God’s divine light and warmth across the landscape. One of the most obvious badges of Christian conduct is simple kindness. And so, with a good deed here, a kind word there, a small sacrifice now, we bless the world and imitate the One who sacrificed everything so that we might have the opportunity to be saved from certain and deserved doom. It’s our God-given job to improve the disposition around us!
Here are 4 powerful ways that you can use to fire up your prayer life.
Pray Back His Word
There is nothing better, I believe, than to pray back God’s Word to Him. We know that the psalms contain many prayers in the form of songs and David’s psalms are really prayers that were put to music. Why not use some of these praise and prayer psalms as part of your prayer life like in Psalm 3 which says “I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill” (Psalm 3:4) or Psalm 84 “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God” (Psalm 84:2).
Write out your Blessings
I challenged someone once who was going through a dark night of the soul to write out on a piece of paper everything that God has blessed them with. They came up with a list that contained (first and foremost) their being saved, a job, a home, a family, food, and so many other things. I believe that if we start counting our blessings and write them down one by one it will be easier to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess 5:18).
Pray Whenever/Wherever you Can
Going back to 1 Thessalonians in chapter 5:16-17, it says “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing” but how can we pray without ceasing? The Greek wording used for “without ceasing” is “adialeiptÅs” and it means “without intermission, incessantly” which means that we can pray throughout the day, like when we are waiting in line or in traffic, when we are showering, when we are driving, or just about any time you can think about it. I start my day with prayer and devote certain times where I can be alone and pray in private, so don’t leave out this type of praying, but when Paul said to “pray without ceasing” I believe he meant that we can pray throughout the day so that we can be “constant in prayer” as Paul writes in Romans 12:12.
Find a Prayer Partner
I love to have others pray for me, but I also exchange prayers for them. It is one thing to be praying for yourself, but what a privilege to have others pray for you. Find a prayer partner and keep in touch with them on a regular basis. Ask them to pray for you for certain things during the week, and vow to pray for them for their spiritual and physical needs. Having a prayer partner is like having an accountability partner. Commit to pray for them and for them to pray for you, and you may be more committed to prayer.
Conclusion
For sure, we should pray for God to be glorified, for God always seeks to glorify His name. When we pray, we focus on God’s will, and we know for certain that it is always God’s will for His name to be glorified. Pray that prayer every day because we know that is always His will.
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
SECTION OUTLINE FOUR (1 THESSALONIANS 4)
Paul discusses the glorious hope of the church in view of Christ’s return.
I. The Challengesin Viewofthe Return of Christ (4:1–12)
II. The Chronologyofthe Return of Christ (4:13–18)
A. The purpose (4:13, 18): Paul explains the Return of Christ for two reasons:
1. To clarify (4:13): He does not want them to be ignorant of God’s prophetic plan.
2. To comfort (4:18): This glorious event may be used to encourage each other.
B. The particulars (4:14–17)
1. The return of the Lord (4:14, 16a-c)
a. The saints (4:14): All believers currently in heaven will accompany him.
b. The sound (4:16a-c)
(1) A loud command (4:16a)
(2) The voice of the archangel (4:16b)
(3) The trumpet call of God (4:16c)
2. The resurrection of the dead (4:16d): The bodies of dead believers will rise first.
3. The response of the living (4:15, 17): The believers on earth will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
OPEN:
Who was the first family member you recall dying? Who have you been closest to through their dying days? How did this affect you? What else has shaped your view of death and dying?
DIG:
How would the Thessalonians have felt if they had remained ignorant of the Christian's resurrection and of Christ's return? How would Paul's words have encouraged them?
Do Paul's words about Christ coming as "a thief in the night" (at an unknown time) calm, or stir up fear? How does Paul's analogy of night and day speak to this fear?
How do faith, love and hope sum up what it means to "belong to the day" (1 Thessalonians 5:8; see 1 Thessalonians 1:3)?
REFLECT:
Of all the places you live (at home, work, school or church) where do you feel the need for more faith, more hope or more love? How can your group help you?
How can you be better prepared for Christ's return?
How does this passage help you as you consider your own death?
Reminder: Pray to God to set your heart right as you engage His word. The text you are about to study was not written to you but is written for you. So, before applying, we must ask the following questions:
What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
READ THE SCRIPTURE (Multiple times & translations, and notice the words that stand out)
Biblegateway (NIV, CSB, NLT) (My choice of all-round site. It is a greatapp, better on computers or on a smartphone)
Biblia.com (New Century Version) (Great on a computer, especially if you have a Logos account)
Summarize the main story: Describe the events and context of the chapter in your own words.
Paul discusses the glorious hope of the church in view of Christ’s return.
I. The Challengesin Viewofthe Return of Christ (4:1–12)
A. What we are to do (4:1–2): Believers are to live their lives in a way that is pleasing to God.
B. How we are to do it (4:3–12)
1. Be holy and pure (4:3–5, 7–8).
2. Don’t defraud another believer (4:6).
3. Love all believers (4:9–10).
4. Take care of your own business (4:11).
5. Earn your own living (4:12).
OPEN:
What was the last thing you made from scratch?
DIG:
What three areas of lifestyle, discussed here, most affect a Christian's ministry? How so?
What "behavioral psychology" is Paul using here? What is the guiding principle behind Paul's commands and warnings? What does this passage say to someone who has already made sexual mistakes?
When urged to love "more and more," how do you suppose the Thessalonians felt?
REFLECT:
How will a lifestyle that bears witness to God affect sexual morality? Work relationships? Time priorities? Small group dynamics?
What do you say to someone who believes you can do anything you want, as long as you mind your own business (1 Thessalonians 4:11) and no one gets hurt (1 Thessalonians 4:6)? Would you say anything different to a Christian who believes the same thing about sexual freedom? If so, what?
Reminder: Pray to God to set your heart right as you engage His word. The text you are about to study was not written to you but is written for you. So, before applying, we must ask the following questions:
What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
READ THE SCRIPTURE (Multiple times & translations, and notice the words that stand out)
Biblegateway (NIV, CSB, NLT) (My choice of all-round site. It is a greatapp, better on computers or on a smartphone)
Biblia.com (New Century Version) (Great on a computer, especially if you have a Logos account)
Summarize the main story: Describe the events and context of the chapter in your own words.
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.
