Study 8: Under Pressure

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Big Idea: When things are tough, good relationships with our leaders, one another and the Lord will help us cope.

Aim: to think about the relationships in our lives and how these might grow in love.

1. What difference does having a good relationship with someone make when you are under pressure?

Story So Far:

As Paul concludes the letter to this young church he is so fond of, we see some of the themes of the letter recurring in his concluding remarks. His letter has spoken of the Faith of the young church in face of persecution, the Hope of the second coming of Jesus and how we must live holy lives while we wait and the Love of Paul for the church and the family relationship we have with one another.

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 (NIV)

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies* with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil.

²³ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us. ²⁶ Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

* “prophecies” at this time were more common because the canon of scripture was not complete.

First Impressions

Read the passage through a second time. What “1 Thessalonians” themes do you notice recurring in this last section of the book?

Digging in

2. To help us see what the text is saying use this table to break down the content of the passage…

Talk:

Living it out

3. When the pressure is on, which of our relationships are most likely to struggle?
4. What might help us to build stronger, more loving relationships?
5. Can you share a time when a good relationship helped you through a hard time?
6. With Carrubbers being a big city centre church, how can you – in your circles - help us grow into a more loving church family?

Pray

In what circumstances do you need to rejoice, pray continually and give thanks?

Write them on a post-it note… and swap these around so that you can pray for one another. Take one another’s notes home to remind you to pray through the month.

Going Further

This passage may have made you think about specific relationships in your life… what might you do this month to invest in those relationships? It may be time to rejoice, pray, and give thanks… or take action and move towards someone.

Maybe ask someone from the group or someone you meet with regularly, to pray with you and commit to asking you over time how the relationship is going?

Read Philippians 1:27-30 NIV

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

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

Study 7: Christ’s return

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

Big Idea: Christ’s return changes what we believe and therefore how we feel about death and life.

Aim: to encourage one another through a reminder of the hope that Jesus’ return brings.

1. When was the last time you thought about Jesus coming back? Is it something that feels far off or imminent?

Story So Far:

The young church has experienced some opposition and persecution. In his letter Paul has reminded them of the genuineness of their faith, and encouraged them to keep going.

Since Paul had left, some of the church members have died… possibly martyred for their faith. Paul writes to answer questions they have about Christ’s second coming and what happens to believers who die before he returns.

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 (NIV)

¹³ Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ¹⁵ According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ² for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ⁵ You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

First impressions

What do you notice about the tone of these passages?

Digging in

4:13-17

2. How were the believers feeling at the start of this passage and why?
3. What does Paul remind them of in order to restore their hope? (Past and future)

5:1-11

4. When and how will Jesus return according to v 1-3?
5. How are we to live in light of this v4-10?
6. How do both sections of this passage finish (4:18 and 5:11)? Why is this a vital part of helping one another as we wait for Christ’s return?

Talk:

Living it out:

1. Often discussions about end times don’t feel very encouraging. What are the unquestionable truths we can hold onto and use to encourage one another, whatever our view on how Jesus will return?
2. How can we speak these truths sensitively to encourage those who have lost a loved one?
3. How do we feel about Jesus’ return? How do the truths we know impact our feelings about it?
4. What challenges you most about how we live in the meantime?

Pray

Take time to thank God for salvation and for the hope of the second coming.

Pray for those who are grieving and for one another as you live in light of the coming of Christ.

Who can you pray for who doesn’t know the Lord?

Going further

What questions do you have about the return of Christ?

Why not get together with someone to chat about these. Perhaps you could look in Scripture for the answers. If the answers aren’t clear, pray for one another to trust that God will bring about his good plans and purposes in His time, and for His glory and our good.

Encourage one another that we have an incredible hope that far outweighs any earthly hope.   

Read John 14:1-7 NIV

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

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

Study 4: Face to Face

1 Thessalonians 2: 17 – 3:10

Big idea: God uses us in one another’s lives to encourage, while Satan wants to keep us apart and isolated during times of struggle.

Aim: to see the value of being encouraged by others and spending time with other believers when afflictions come our way.

1. In the pandemic, we experienced connecting via zoom rather than meeting face to face. While thankful we are/were still able to connect virtually, what are the advantages of meeting together physically when it is possible to do so?

The story so far:

The Thessalonian church began as believers genuinely responded to the gospel Paul had preached during a short visit (Acts 17). His time with them was painfully cut short as persecution kicked in and these young believers were left alone to face trials and hardships. Paul was concerned for them, that they would be persevering in their faith despite the situation and is eager to know how they are doing. So far in the letter, Paul has commended the Thessalonian church for how they have persevered under trial, and their faith has become known everywhere.

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10 (NIV)

¹⁷ But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. ¹⁸ For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. ¹⁹ For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? ²⁰ Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. ² We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ³ so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. ⁴ In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. ⁵ For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labours might have been in vain.

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

⁶ But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. ⁷ Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. ⁸ For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? ¹⁰ Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

First impressions

What strikes you about Paul’s feelings for the people in a church where he only spent a few short weeks?

Digging in

2. What was going on in Thessalonica as Paul writes to them (also see v ch1 v6 and ch2 v14)
3. What is mentioned about Satan’s role in their situation? (How would Paul know it was Satan?)
4. How was the church doing despite the separation? Why might this be?
5. What do you notice about how the situation affects Paul?

Talk:

Living it out

6. Trials are inevitable in the Christian life. What can we learn here about persevering in our faith when things get tough?
7. What can we learn about the challenges of seeing others go through tough times? What can we do in such situations?
8. How can we have joy as Paul does despite the circumstances?
9. Review the benefits of meeting face to face with believers in your life. How do we make the most of this and how do we make the most of times when this is not possible?

Pray

Use this passage to help you pray for those in times of trouble and those separated from church family.

Going further

How can you seek to encourage someone who is going through a difficult time?

What verses have you found encouraging to remember when things are hard?

Plan to meet up or send them a message to encourage them to persevere.

Read Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,  and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

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

Study 5: Praying with Paul

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Big idea: Paul’s prayers reflect the most important eternal desires of God for his church.

Aim: to help us shape our prayers for others around God’s word.

1. What is prayer and why do we pray?
2. What does prayer look like for you in daily life? (be honest – no one is judging… we can all struggle and feel guilty about our prayer life)

Story so far:

The Thessalonian Church was planted during a visit by Paul and cut short due to persecution. The young church is growing strong and is enduring through trials and persecution. It brings Paul much joy to know that God is holding them firm in their faith. He is keen to encourage them, so he lets them know he is praying for them and longs to see them

In this study we will see that in writing to the church in Thessalonica, Paul structures his letter around three prayers which help us see his deepest desire for the church.

Read:

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (NIV)

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.

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (NIV)

¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. ¹² May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. ¹³ May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV)

²³ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

First impressions

What strikes you about what Paul does or does not pray for?

Digging in

3. What themes do we see repeated in the prayers?
4. How do they link with what we have seen so far in the letter?
5. How might these be encouraging to the Thessalonian church?
6. In what ways is God described?

Talk:

Living it out:

7. Bearing in mind that Jesus is going to return, how might you pray for the current situations in your life?
8. In what ways is God at work to make you more holy just now? How might you pray for this in your life?
9. Have you ever shared with someone what you’ve been praying for them? How did that go? How might you pray for someone you are concerned about in light of Paul’s prayers?

Pray together for one another – try to ask for prayer for the eternal work in your life as well as the situations that seem more pressing.

Going further

Why not meet with someone and talk about what you find helpful in your own prayer life? Some people use journals and lists, some have photo prompts, some use bible apps, some use daily scripture and there are many other ways too. Try something new or ask one another to pray for your prayer life. Accountability helps.

 Read Ephesians 1:15-23

¹⁵ For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, ¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

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

Study 6: Holiness

Thessalonians 4:1-12

Big Idea: Holiness in our relationships pleases God and honours each person in God’s family.

Aim: To help us to keep on seeking to grow in personal and relational holiness

1. In what ways do you live that is different from the world around you?

Story so far:

After leaving the Thessalonian church at a time of persecution, Paul is keen to hear how they are doing and sends Timothy to bring back a report. Generally speaking, things are good but there are some things Paul thinks are lacking in their faith, and he wants to see them again to give them further teaching. He is particularly keen to encourage the Christians to grow in Christlikeness.

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (NIV)

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. ³ It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality*; ⁴ that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable, ⁵ not in passionate lust** like the pagans, who do not know God; 

*sexual immorality is any kind of sexual behaviour contrary to God’s design for sex which is between one man and one woman within a marriage relationship

** lust is a strong intense distorted desire… therefore not just sexual

⁶ and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. ⁷ For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. ⁸ Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

⁹ Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. ¹⁰ And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, ¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, ¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

First Impressions

Why does living in a holy way honour and please God?

Digging in

V1-8

2. Complete the table below. What is Paul instructing/calling the Thessalonians to do/ not do?

3. What motivation does Paul give for living according to these instructions?
4. What might the church have been in danger of doing for Paul to use the words “more and more” in v1b and v10b?
5. Paul is urging holiness during a time of trial and opposition. Why might this be something he is concerned about while the church had so many other challenges?

V9-12

6. Contrast the better way of love to the way of lust we have seen so far in v 3-8.
7. Discuss how verses 9-12 might help us see how to live lives of love towards one another
8. Can you think of an occasion when living to please God won the respect of outsiders?

Talk:

Living it out

9. What does living to please others and living to please God look like in your life?
10. In what area of personal holiness would you like to grow?
11. How do we help one another to strive for holiness more and more and not grow apathetic in our spiritual lives?
12. Which outsiders in your life would you like to be a witness to? How can you personally, and as part of the church community, show them the way of love is better than the way the world lives?

Pray

Spend time praying for one another in relation to personal holiness.

Going Further

Take a quiet minute to reflect on your own heart.

 If we put lust and love on a sliding scale where 0 is lust and 10 is pure Godly love. Where would these attitudes and activities be on this scale?:

1. The way you think about brothers in Christ
2. The way you treat others in the church family
3. Your relationship with someone you are attracted to
4. Your TV watching
5. Your desire to be liked or noticed
6. Other…

0                                                      5                                                    10

I_________________________I_____________________I

Lust                                                                                                  Love

Growing in holiness requires us to take a hard look at the state of our hearts, confess God’s way is better and turn to him for forgiveness and help to live in the way he designed us to live. The GREAT news is God sees our hearts and knew our motivations and desires when he died for us. He is quick to forgive and He loves when we come to him to ask for His help to align our desires with His.

12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Phil 2:12-13

This week, take some time to look up and share some verses relating to the area of personal holiness that you thought of in Question 10. The instructions given in God’s word come with the promise that God will help us in these areas by His Spirit in us.

Pray for yourself in this area.

Ask a friend/ mentor/ someone you meet with to pray for you in this area too.

Read 2 Peter 1:3-5, 7-11 NIV

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

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

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?

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?

Study 1: The Gospel Comes to Thessalonica

Acts 17: 1-9

Big Idea: God establishes a new church full of faithful believers despite many challenges and fierce opposition.

Aim: to encourage us to persevere in sharing our faith even in tough circumstances.

1. If you are a Christian, how did others take the news when you told them that you had decided to follow Christ?

Story so far:

Paul and his team are on their second missionary journey when they visit Thessalonica. God sovereignly used a fall out with Barnabas (Acts 15), and a dream of a Macedonian man (Acts 16) to guide them to the capital of this Roman province. They had not planned to come here initially but God had it all planned. They travelled here from Philippi where Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned for sharing the gospel.

Read Acts 17:1-10a (NIV)

17 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. ² As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³ explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. ⁴ Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.

⁵ But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. ⁶ But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, ⁷ and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” ⁸ When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. ⁹ Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. ¹⁰ As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. 

First impressions

What stands out to you on first reading this account in Acts 17 of Paul and his companions in Thessalonica?

Digging in

2. What was Paul’s “technique” for reaching out?
3. What did Paul teach?
4. List the different responses of the people in Thessalonica?
5. What verse stands out to you most from this passage and why?
6. Where do you see God at work in the circumstances that Paul and his companions face?

Talk

Living it out

7. If Jesus is your Lord, what challenges or opposition have you experienced since receiving him?
8. What responses have you had when sharing the gospel?
9. How does this passage encourage you to keep going even when you have challenges and negative responses?

Pray

On a post it note, write down the name of a particular person or a situation where you would like to share more about your faith. Give this to someone in the group so that you can commit to praying through the month for one another in this area.

Going Further

This is an opportunity to think further and connect deeper with someone in the month between W2W nights. Why not have a coffee with somebody/ some people from your group, or see if someone from your homegroup wants to meet up. There are folks doing the same study in different contexts or perhaps share what you have learned with someone who can’t make it along at all. If you would like to do this but are not sure who to meet with, do ask your group leader, a homegroup leader or Karen Clark who would be happy to help. (karen.clark@carrubbers.org)

Some ideas:

Why not read the whole of the first letter to the Thessalonians (it only takes about 15 mins)

• How do you think the believers had been getting on since Paul left?
• What do you think were some of the issues that Paul wanted to write to them about?
• Who have you not been in touch with in a while? How might you reconnect to encourage them in their faith?

Use the verse you highlighted in Q5 or another that this study has brought to mind and spend some time meditating on it through the week ahead

How to meditate?

• Memorise it. Ponder it. Apply it and Pray it.
• Check out David Nixon’s introduction to bible meditation from February 2022 on the Carrubbers YouTube site: 

Read Romans 5:1-5

5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

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