Study 2: Transformation

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Big Idea: God’s transforming work in us helps us to endure and helps the gospel spread to those around us.

Aim: to encourage one another when we see evidence of God’s transforming work in our lives.

1. What are some of the ways people respond to trials and troubles in life?

Story so far:

Having been chased out of Thessalonica after a short but fruitful few weeks there (Acts 17), Paul is anxious to know how the new believers are doing so sends Timothy back to find out. When Timothy returns with news, Paul is heartened that they are growing in their faith. He writes this letter to the church to encourage them and to answer some of their questions.

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (NIV)

1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.

² We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. ³ We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. ⁷ And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, ⁹ for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

First impressions

What strikes you most about the way Paul begins his letter?

 Digging in:

V1-3:

2. Paul addresses the believers and prays for them. What is the focus of his prayer?
3. How does our work, our labour and our ability to endure look different as believers?

V4-10

4. Why might the young Thessalonian church have needed reassurance that the gospel they responded to was genuine?
5. List all the signs mentioned in this passage that tell us the Thessalonians had made a genuine conversion to Christ?
6. How is God described in this passage?

Talk:

Living it out:

V6 says “You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.”

7. What does joy look like for a believer?
8. Who do you aspire to imitate because you see Christ in them?
9. How do you see Christ’s transforming work in your own life? (This could include where you have turned from idols to the living God.)
10. In what ways do we compare ourselves with others when we are looking for signs of spiritual transformation?
11. How does this passage help us to see one another and ourselves as Christ does?
12. How does waiting for Christ’s return shape our perspective on our current circumstances and our spiritual growth?

Pray

Which verse stood out to you and why?  Pray in response to it. Give thanks for those in your life whom you look up to and pray for those who may be encouraged to hear of your faith.

Reflect personally on an area where God is 2^nd, 3^rd or 4^th place in your life, ask for the Spirit’s help to “turn to God from idols” and make God number one in that area. (You can pray too for help from the body of Christ.)

Going further

We are to imitate others as they imitate the Lord (v6).

• Think of a situation in your life that is tough just now. Can you think of someone who has been through something similar and remained faithful throughout? Or just persevered through a hard time themselves… we have all known challenges. Why not meet for coffee and ask them how they managed to persevere or text someone to ask for prayer for your situation.
• Can you think of a young believer who may need to be encouraged in their faith? Why not get in touch and look at this passage together to help reassure them.

If there is an area in your life where you are struggling to turn to God from idols, why not think about who you could ask to pray with you and help to hold you accountable. There are some great resources to help you such as a course called Real Change by BCUK and books like Tim Chester’s You Can Change, or Tim Lane’s Unstuck. Do feel free to chat to Karen Clark about where to find help.

Read Philippians 3:17-21 NIV

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

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