Are you walking in holiness and honor according to God’s call? This week’s text in 1 Thessalonians is vital for understanding God’s will for your life and for considering your relationship to God, the church, and the world. It is also a word of encouragement for a church that is walking in faithfulness in the midst of Thessalonica’s immorality.
Discussion & Response Questions for 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
1. As you look back at this Sunday’s Scripture text and sermon, what were some of the takeaways? What did you find helpful or encouraging? What questions do you have?
2. What does this text reveal to us about the character and work of our Triune God?
3. What is the Thessalonian church doing right that they should do “more and more”?
4. What is the nature of Paul’s instructions to them? Consider verses 2 and 8.
5. What are the two ways of walking that we see in this text? What does it look like to walk and please God, and to walk properly before outsiders?
6. Consider how Paul calls and instructs the church in purity. What does he reveal about the nature of immorality, and the nature of holiness?
7. What is it that helps one to walk in holiness?
8. What are ways for the church to grow in holiness? How does this reflect one’s relationship to God?
9. How would you counsel someone who is apathetic when it comes to pursuing holiness? What are motives for holiness?
10. How should we respond to this text?
We know the grief of being separated from loved ones. When distance or circumstances make it impossible to be physically present with those we love, letter writing, phone, or video are no replacement. We know something is wrong if one would prefer to eat Thanksgiving Dinner on a video call instead of at the same table. Zoom calls are no substitute for family reunions. As this age moves away from the physical world and more toward digital connectivity, it is all the more important that we consider the essential nature of face-to-face fellowship in the local church.
This Sunday we will return to 1 Thessalonians and consider God’s purposes for our face-to-face fellowship. I invite you to read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 in preparation for worship. We will consider Paul’s separation from the Thessalonians, Timothy’s mission to encourage them, Timothy’s report which encouraged Paul, and Paul’s prayer for reunion with them. Take time to meditate on this text and pray for the work of God’s Word in us as we come to worship Him this Sunday.
Discussion & Response Questions for 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
1. As you look back at this Sunday’s Scripture text and sermon, what were some of the takeaways? What did you find helpful or encouraging? What questions do you have?
2. What does this text reveal to us about the character and work of our Triune God?
3. What does this text teach us about separation and reunion? (2:17-18; 3:11-13)?
4. What do we learn about joy and fellowship? (2:19-20; 3:9-10)?
5. Describe Paul’s concern for the spiritual welfare of the Thessalonians. What might it look like for you to share in this kind of concern for your brothers and sisters in Christ?
6. Consider the nature of afflictions. How did Paul prepare them for affliction? What are temptations of affliction? How does one remain steadfast?
7. What does biblical encouragement look like? How does Timothy encourage the Thessalonians? How do they encourage Paul?
8. What is irreplaceable about face-to-face fellowship?
9. Consider the closing words of this passage (vv. 11-13), and the language connected to the return of the Lord (2:19, 3:13). What should our fellowship lead to?
10. How should we respond to this text?
Do you welcome and receive the Word of God for what it truly is? The Bible is the true Word of God. Though we believe this, we need reminders of even the most basic tenets of our faith. Sometimes we can take for granted and undervalue that which should be most dear to us. In 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 we will see how the Thessalonian church welcomed the Word which is for the salvation of the world, and how this stands in sharp contrast with those who oppose the Word.
Discussion & Response Questions for 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
1. As you look back at this Sunday’s Scripture text and sermon, what were some of the takeaways? What did you find helpful or encouraging? What questions do you have?
2. What does this text reveal to us about the character and work of our Triune God?
3. What is Paul thankful for in the Thessalonian church?
4. What does true reception of God’s Word look like? What is evidence of the Thessalonians’ reception of God’s Word (v. 14)?
5. What are ways that you are observing the work of God’s Word in the lives of the saints at OBC? In the lives of your family? In your life?
6. Consider why Paul describes the persecutions of the church. How is the experience of the Thessalonians similar or different from the churches in Judea?
7. What does Paul reveal about the nature of opposition to the gospel?
8. Why is the Word of God worth suffering persecution over? How did Paul prepare the Thessalonians for suffering, and what does it look like to prepare ourselves for suffering?
9. As we think about the Christian life, we usually think of the imitation of Christ. Here in verse 14, we see the imitation of faithful churches. Why is it important to know of other faithful churches and Christians? How might Christian history and biography help us?
10. How should we respond to this text?
Are you walking in a manner worthy of God who has called you into his kingdom and glory? This high and glorious calling has significant bearing on how we conduct ourselves, as we should be seeking to please God who tests our hearts. Moreover, if God has entrusted us with the gospel, what does it look like to be faithful stewards of such a gift? We will be thinking about all of these things and more as we return to 1 Thessalonians and consider Paul’s example for the church in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Read this text in preparation for worship and prayerfully consider how you might grow in loving the Lord and his church.
Discussion & Response Questions for 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
1. As you look back at this Sunday’s Scripture text and sermon, what were some of the takeaways? What did you find helpful or encouraging? What questions do you have?
2. What does this text reveal to us about the character and work of our Triune God?
3. Consider Paul’s example of bold stewardship of the gospel despite suffering and shameful treatment. What temptations arise when facing opposition? What is the root of courage and faithful stewardship of the gospel?
4. Notice how Paul speaks more than once of God and the Thessalonian church serving as witnesses of his conduct (vv. 5, 10). Why is this significant?
5. What are the common ministry practices and motives of grifters, self-promoters, and false teachers (vv. 3, 5-6)? How do you recognize this?
6. How does Paul use parenting to illustrate the work of the gospel? What distinctions do you see between Paul’s examples of mother and father? What does this teach us about gospel ministry? What does this teach us about parenting?
7. How might care for a “baby Christian” look different from care for those who can walk?
8. What might we learn from Paul’s affection and conduct toward the church? How does this encourage us in stewardship of the gospel and love for the church?
9. What characterizes one who walks worthy of God who has called us into his kingdom and glory?
10. How should we respond to this text?
Dear OBC Family,
This Sunday we will also begin a new sermon series in 1 Thessalonians. Though Paul’s other letters (Romans, 1 Corinthians, Galatians, etc.) are better known, this short letter deserves our attention and it is brimming with gospel truth and encouragement. Like Paul, it is right that we would give thanks to the Lord for the Thessalonians’ example of faithfulness. Not only are they known for their imitation of Christ, but they have followed the example of other faithful churches. And as they are walking in the gospel and loving one another, Paul encourages them “to do so more and more.” As we spend the next two months in Thessalonians, we will consider how the gospel changes us, shapes our fellowship, and moves us to walk in holiness as we wait for our Lord’s return.
I encourage you to read the entire book (five chapters) before we gather for worship this Sunday. To learn more about the Thessalonians and get some helpful historical context for this letter, you can read Luke’s account of Paul’s second missionary journey in Acts 17:1-15.
I pray that the Lord would strengthen us by his grace as we walk through 1 Thessalonians. May we grow in our love for the Lord and for one another as we walk together in faith, hope, and love while we await the return of our Lord.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Ben
Discussion & Response Questions for 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
1. As you look back at this Sunday’s sermon and Scripture text, what were some of the takeaways? What did you find helpful or encouraging? What questions do you have?
2. Sometimes we can gloss over the opening verses of the epistles. What truths should we be noticing in verse 1?
3. How does Acts 17:1-15 help us to understand the background to this letter?
4. Consider Paul’s prayerful thanksgiving for the church. What is he thankful for? What are some practical ways to grow in praying for the church?
5. What does this text reveal to us about the character and work of our Triune God?
6. What is the relationship between faith, hope, and love? Where do we see faith, hope, and love in this this morning’s text?
7. What is evidence of God’s choosing (or “election”)? What does true reception of the gospel look like?
8. How has the gospel changed the Thessalonians? What does transformation look like?
9. In what ways should we aspire to imitate the faith, hope, and love of the Thessalonians?
10. How should we respond to this text?
Many are the reasons we should be on our knees in prayer. In the fourth stanza of Psalm 119, the psalmist speaks of some of the realities that have moved him to prayer, including his weakness, sorrow, temptation, ignorance, and his great need for the Lord’s grace. We don’t have it all together, but we have wonderful promises in God’s Word. And as the Psalmist prays for the Lord to give life and strength according to the promises of Scripture, so also we should be encouraged to pray.
Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 119:25-32
1. As you look back at this text and Sunday’s sermon, what were some of the takeaways? What did you find helpful or encouraging? What questions do you have?
2. What does this text reveal about the character and work of our Triune God?
3. What movement can you trace through this stanza? How does the psalmist turn from following his own ways?
4. What does the psalmist do in vv. 25-32? What is the Lord doing, or asked to do? Compare and contrast these. What might we learn from this?
5. What does this psalm teach us about repentance and faith?
6. What does it look like for us to cling to God’s testimonies?
7. In the context of this psalm, what does it mean to be “put to shame”? What are the promises of God on this point?
8. How does one grow in love for the Lord? How are one’s affections increased? What does this look like?
9. What does it look like to read this stanza in the light of Christ’s death and resurrection?
10. How should we respond to this text?
Before you listen to this sermon, read Psalm 119:17-24 and pray for the Lord to give grace that you may behold his wonders.
Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 119:17-24
1. As you look back at this Sunday’s sermon and Psalm 119, what were some of the takeaways? What did you find helpful or encouraging? What questions do you have?
2. How does this stanza (vv. 17-24) speak about the psalmist’s identity? What is revealed about the psalmist’s spiritual condition? What are his circumstances?
3. Consider each pair of verses. What is the psalmist seeking from God?
4. What does this stanza reveal about the character and being of God? About the works of God?
5. Reflect on the psalmist’s desires and emotions. How does this encourage or challenge you?
6. Consider this stanza in light of the gospel. Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again. The Spirit has been given to the Church. How should we read this stanza in light of the realities and promises of the New Covenant?
7. How might this stanza shape the way you approach the Word of God?
8. To what end do you seek the Lord’s blessing? Consider the priorities of the psalmist.
9. What are right applications of this text for us today?
10. How should we respond to this text?