1 Thessalonians 2:9-12
PREPARATION
BEGIN IN PRAYER
1 Thessalonians 2:9-12
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
OPENING DISCUSSION
Have you ever had someone put themselves aside to serve, teach, and model what it is like to be a Christian or help you grow in something? Describe your experience.
BIG IDEA
Here, Paul pleads with the Thessalonians to remember that during his brief stay with them, he worked hard to make sure he could freely share the gospel without causing a burden on the new church and believers.
No doubt, Paul could have asked for resources to maintain his teaching ministry, but instead, he worked alongside them to pay his way. He uses the example of a good father to explain his point. Just as a father serves his children, teaches them, guides them, and sets an example for them - he does the same for this church.
1 Thessalonians 2:9-12
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
OPENING DISCUSSION
Have you ever had someone put themselves aside to serve, teach, and model what it is like to be a Christian or help you grow in something? Describe your experience.
BIG IDEA
Here, Paul pleads with the Thessalonians to remember that during his brief stay with them, he worked hard to make sure he could freely share the gospel without causing a burden on the new church and believers.
No doubt, Paul could have asked for resources to maintain his teaching ministry, but instead, he worked alongside them to pay his way. He uses the example of a good father to explain his point. Just as a father serves his children, teaches them, guides them, and sets an example for them - he does the same for this church.
READ
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 aloud.
EXAMINE
- What is Paul doing in these verses?
- What is he saying to his audience?
- Why might the audience need to hear this?
- What do you recognize about Paul’s posture towards the Thessalonians?
- Put yourself in the shoes of this church. What would Paul’s disposition towards you have said about the message he was bringing?
APPLY
Jesus's direction to his followers is to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Paul, taking on the spirit of a father, tells them that he is there for free. His only motivation is that they might hear the good news of Jesus - no strings attached.
Continue encouraging and exhorting one another. Spend some time honoring and helping each other recognize their gifts. Speak into the lives of one another about the beautiful ways that God has created them.
- Where in the church do you serve or want to serve? Why?
- Do you ever find yourself giving yourself away but with an expectation in return? What can you learn from Paul’s posture towards the church in Thessalonica?
- What does Paul’s demeanor towards the Thessalonians say about the Gospel?
- What can we learn from this concerning those God has placed in our lives with whom we might be called to share the gospel?
- Name one area where you want to ask the Lord to help you grow.
Continue encouraging and exhorting one another. Spend some time honoring and helping each other recognize their gifts. Speak into the lives of one another about the beautiful ways that God has created them.
PRAY
Posted in enduring faith