Study 3: Integrity

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Big Idea: Paul reassured the church of the authenticity of his message and his heart for them. By his words and deeds, Paul’s ministry had been used by God to bear fruit “that had lasted”.

Aim: to be people who live out what we believe.

1. Can you think of someone whose life really does ooze integrity?

(According to the Cambridge Dictionary, integrity means “The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change.”)

Story so far

Having been forced to leave the young Thessalonian church after a short stay, Paul reassures them in chapter one that the gospel they responded to led to genuine salvation and that the impact of their new faith in Christ is being felt far and wide. They are an example of the power of God to change lives.

Meanwhile, in Thessalonica, opposers to the faith are casting doubt on Paul’s ministry saying he was just a passing preacher, more interested in money and fame than in their welfare.

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 (NIV)

2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. ² We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. ³ For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. ⁴ On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. ⁵ You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. ⁶ We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. ⁷ Instead, we were like young children among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, ⁸ so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. ⁹ Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. ¹¹ For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, ¹² encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

¹³ And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone ¹⁶ in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

First Impressions

What stood out for you from this passage?

Digging in

2. How does Paul describe his ministry amongst the Thessalonians (1-7)?
3. What does Paul do instead of seeking approval from people?
4. What do we see here of Paul’s relationship with these believers (v7-12)?
5. How might the Thessalonians have been encouraged by being reminded of Paul’s ministry among them and his heart for them?
6. How might Paul’s use of comparisons in verses 13-16 bring the Thessalonians comfort and encouragement?

Talk:

Living it out

7. What areas does Satan use in your life to try to make you doubt the gospel or the teaching you have received?
8. How does this passage help you in these areas?
9. What does it look like to have integrity and love as we share the gospel with those God has put around us?
10. Verse 8 talks about sharing the gospel of God and our lives as well. How can we practically do this in the midst of our busy lives?
11. What could seeking approval from God, rather than others look like in our lives?
12. We are part of a wider church family around the world, many of whom are suffering or persecuted. In what ways does that encourage you to persevere? How might you connect more with other believers to help you persevere?

Pray for the worldwide church to have integrity as we share the message of the gospel

Going Further

Read the passage again and reflect on the verses that talk about Paul being like

• A child
• A mother
• A father

Discuss with someone about how and when we are like a child, mother or father with those people whom God has given us, to witness to or care for?

Why not look further into the persecution of the church. James Morris’s sermon on 10^th July 2022 at Carrubbers is a good place to start. Or look at the Open Doors website https://www.opendoorsuk.org/ for current situations to pray for.

Read Ephesians 6:11-13 NIV

Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

• What does this passage say?
• What timeless principle does it teach?
• How do I apply this to my life?