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Encouragement to Live Well

1. READ

   1 Thessalonians 3:11-13; 4:1-12; 5:4-28; 2 Thessalonians 3

2. CONNECT

   10min
   Discouragement hung over the Thessalonian believers. They were being persecuted. Jesus had not come back, and in his delay, loved ones had already died. Additionally, members of the community were struggling to provide for their own families as well as for other needy believers, some of whom had stopped working.

3. Reflection

   When have you felt discouraged?

4. WATCH

   20min

5. DISCUSS

   10min
   • Paul directed his instructions about responsible living to the community of believers (2 Thess. 3:6, 11). Have you ever seen a good example of a church addressing difficult issues that arise in the community? If so, how did they do it?
   • In 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Paul encouraged believers with these words:
     
     Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
     
     
     • Individually, underline all of the words and phrases in this passage that encourage you.
     • Discuss as a group what you underlined.
   • 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 records Paul’s prayer for the church at Thessalonica. Write or pray this prayer in your own words for your local church.

6. Straight from the Heart

   15min
   Imitate Me One of Paul’s most startling claims is “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). This might sound prideful or dangerous. Many people have been disappointed by people we once looked up to and, as a result, have become skeptical of those who set themselves up as models to follow. But through his life and his letters, Paul invites us to take seriously our responsibility to be an example for others.

   • Identify in the verses below specific ways that Paul saw himself as a model to be followed:
     • Philippians 3:3
     • Philippians 3:9
     • Philippians 3:12-14
   • According to 2 Corinthians 3:18, what does Paul believe about the work of the Spirit in the life of the believer?

   We, like Paul, may be acutely aware of the fact that we have not yet become perfect. But he reminds us not to underestimate the transformative power of Christ in us. As Dr. Reggie Kidd reminds us in the Thirdmill video Paul and the Thessalonians:

   Although we never want to lose sight of the wonder of the return of Christ in glory, we should always remember how much God has already done for us and realize how much he continues to do for us.

7. APPLY

   Take some time to consider the following questions:

   • How has this study encouraged you in your faith?
   • Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
     
     1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
     
     Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
     
     Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
     
     
     • What in these verses is stirring your heart today?
     • What are you going to do about it?

   Session 9 Handout

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