one foot raised… · spiritual parent? are you open to serving someone else in that role? thought...

One foot raisedWalking through 1 thessalonians

Paul was with the Thessalonian church for a very short time before he quickly left to escape persecution. He left before he felt his work was done. While he was there, many people – both Jews and Gentiles – came to faith in Jesus. The young Thessalonian Church was suddenly on their own – without their leader/teacher. What would happen? Had they really bought in? Would they crumble under pressure? Would they continue to grow? When this letter was written, the believers in Thessalonica had only been followers of Jesus for about a year.

In these weeks together looking over the Book of I Thessalonians, we have a few goals…

The pandemic has wreaked havoc on some of our relationships. It has left us craving connection. Either in person or online, an important goal is to connect, or reconnect with other believers. Even in a pandemic, we can build relationships and be encouraged and challenged by each other.

In every session there will be discussion questions in three specific categories:

Scripture-based questions will help us understand what we are reading.

Accountability questions will help us check in with one another regarding life choices.

Transformation questions. If reading Scripture doesn’t change us - our behavior, attitudes or opinions, why are we doing it?

The world gives us plenty of reasons to lose hope, but Jesus gives us even more reasons to not lose hope, to not grow weary, to not be burdened and to not be shaken. When we walk with Jesus, every step is a step of faith and within every step is a gap, a space between the now and the not yet. When we live with one foot in this present world and one foot in eternity, not only do we grow our faith, we live into it.

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W E L C O M E T O W E E K 1

T h e S pa c e f o r Fa i t h

This text describes Paul’s time with the people of Thessalonica. It tells how God brought many to Himself through Paul’s teaching there, and explains why he had to leave so suddenly.

At the beginning of your time, have two group members read I Thessalonians 1 out loud, one after the other. As they are reading each person can take a few notes of what grabs them from the text.

Go around the group, asking each person to share a brief insight from the chapter - what struck you?

Continue by discussing the following questions:

scripture

background

This first passage focuses on the characteristics of the church in Thessalonica. Make a list of those characteristics below:

What if we were left without a teacher? What would we do?

Passage: I Thessalonians 1

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AccountabilityIf our faith is real, it will help us survive difficult days, right? Do we expect that? Are we prepared for that? How has your hope in Christ affected the way you respond to difficult times?

TRANSFORMATIONNow that you’ve identified the characteristics of the Thessalonians, what words would honestly describe your life?

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKOf the words you used to describe your life, which word are you least happy about? Asking God for His help, what might you do this week to address that specific characteristic?

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T h e S pa c e f o r A u t h e n t i cR e l at i o n s h i p s

scriptureAsk the group to summarize the content of these verses. Look for the “big ideas.”

It was common for philosophers to travel throughout the Roman Empire to gain fame and fortune. Discuss the accusations and Paul’s response to being this type of person in 2:2-6. What do we need to be careful about in our personal and corporate ministries?

If we lost our teacher/leader, how would we keep moving forward? Or would we? COVID was/is a good test. Did my spiritual life move forward, stay the same, or did I lose ground?

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-3:10

Read I Thessalonians 2:1 – 3:10 silently and take a few notes of what stands out to you from the text.

Go around the group, asking each person to share a specific insight from the chapter.


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AccountabilityIn verse 2:4, Paul talks about being “entrusted with the gospel.” He was given the gospel to steward or to manage. How do I steward the gospel in my life?

TRANSFORMATIONNote the many “family references” in these verses – parent (vs 7 and 11), brother (vs 2). Our culture promotes the importance of “self.” Who has been a “spiritual parent” in your life? Who might be waiting for you to serve in that role for them? Are you open to God leading you to someone to be your spiritual parent? Are you open to serving someone else in that role?

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKGod has given me so much to steward. How would God say I am doing in that area? Spend time with Him to determine if there is any area where you need an adjustment.

It was clear to Paul (3:2) that he could not accomplish what he needed/wanted to on his own. He needed others like Timothy to help in his mission. Are we sometimes tempted to “fly solo?” Why do you think that is?

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T h e S pa c e f o r H o n o r a b l e L i v i n g

scripturePaul makes such a strong case for holy living in this chapter, over and over, “more and more” (4:1,10). To gain a fuller understanding of his teachings about Christians and our bodies, look at these passages: Romans 6:19, Romans 12:1, I Corinthians 6:13-20 and Philippians 1:20-24. How do these passages help your understanding of I Thessalonians 4:3-6?

What if someone came to check on us? What would they find?

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4: 1-12

At the beginning of your time, take a few minutes for each person to read I Thessalonians 4 silently and take a few notes of what grabs them from the text. At the end of that time, ask one member to read the verses out loud.

Go around the group, with each person sharing what stood out to them from the chapter.


As you read verses 9 - 12, what does Paul clearly say about our love, our work - our lives?

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AccountabilityHoly living - it’s a lofty goal. Can we get there on our own? We are all susceptible to sin. So what’s the antidote? Being in relationship with others who can spur us on – check our behavior/attitudes. And they can even be a checkpoint for our finances, marriages, parenting, integrity. Do you have an accountability partner? Who can you talk to when you are tempted to go a direction you know will not be pleasing to God?

TRANSFORMATIONPaul encouraged us to live “…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders.” (4:12, NIV). How is my life winning the respect of others for God’s kingdom?

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKYour legacy – for what do you want to be remembered by your friends and family?

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T h e S pa c e f o r S t r at e g i c L i v i n g

scriptureThe Thessalonian Church believed Jesus was coming back. But they probably thought He would return in their lifetime. One of the questions they sent back with Timothy was about those believers who would die before His return. And while we still do not know “when,” we know “what we are to be doing.” How did Timothy encourage them to live? How does that translate to 2020?

Jesus is looking for unity/love – in spite of our differences. What is He seeing?

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

At the beginning of your time have each person read I Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 silently and take a few notes of what they noticed from the text.

Go around the group, asking each person to share a specific insight.


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AccountabilityWhere is the Holy Spirit nudging you in this conversation? If you are ready to share, please do. If you are not, please find someone you trust to share that “nudge.” Knowing we are going to be asked about our behavior changes our behavior!

TRANSFORMATIONIn verse 4:9 Paul says, “for you have been taught by God to love one another.” Do I love even if my brothers and sisters in Christ, my forever family, disagree with me on COVID, politics, race and the economy? Even if they disagree about wearing masks? Can our opinions on these issues overshadow our love for brothers and sisters in Christ?

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Integrity…are there areas where the public “you” differs from the private “you”?

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T h e S pa c e f o r T r a n s f o r m at i o n

scriptureWhat does Paul say “to do” and “not to do” in verses 12-22? Paul is raising the bar pretty high, here. Is this kind of life even possible? How?

We need to be ready.

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

At the beginning of your time have two group members read I Thessalonians 5:12-28 out loud, one after the other. Have each group member take a few notes of what grabs them from the text.

Go around the group, asking each person to share a specific insight from the chapter.

This is a big week. Depending on when your group meets, about one-half of our country will be/was pleased with the election results, and one-half will not be/were not. Billions of dollars were spent and people cast their vote for a person or a party. In the process, relationships have been damaged, some severely. This is a great reminder of the words in verse 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”

As we look for Christ’s return, let’s step back from the news of today, and remember where we need to place our hope.


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AccountabilityIf you find yourself in a place of judgement of others because they do not agree with you on issues, how are you going to resolve that? What steps will you take?

TRANSFORMATIONIn verse 18, “giving thanks in all circumstances” can be challenging. What is keeping you from maintaining a spirit of gratefulness?

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKIn these divisive days, how can I show the love of Jesus and be a peacemaker?

Close your time in prayer using 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “Now may the God of peace sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Get the Big Picture. A great preparation is to read the entire book in one sitting (it’s very short), multiple times. Another great preparation tool would be to watch this short video from The Bible Project:https://bibleproject.com/explore/1-thessalonians/

Check in around the table. This is an important way to begin each session - allowing each person to be seen and heard. Another way to do this is to ask each person, “What brought you life today?” and “What took life from you?” It’s a great way to put our day in perspective and watch for patterns of “life-giving” and “life-taking” practices

The “Accountability Question.” We’ve all heard the horror story of the leader who asks people to disclose their ‘secret sin’ – the first time they meet! That type of question obviously requires a great deal of established trust. We don’t want to frighten people off before they even get started. So we’ve attempted to make these questions challenging, yet not too personal because your group might just be getting to know each other. But if you’re in a group which has been together a while and reached a level of trust, you might want to lean into this a bit more.

Focus on the people. Some questions will click with your group. Some will not. Don’t try to answer them all - focus on the question in each section which seems to resonate with the people at your table. Timing. As you work through your time together, be sure you are able to spend some time in each of the sections - Scripture, Accountability and Transformation. But again, the people are the focus, not the content.

Leader notes

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one foot raised… · spiritual parent? are you open to serving someone else in that role? thought...

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