Unaffected Faith - Week 4
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
From Face to Face in Time
Connecting to one another
Share with your group one person whom you miss seeing face to face because you have somehow been “torn” away from him or her. As a group discuss the differences not seeing people face to face makes in your relationships over time.
Context of Today’s Passage – “But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face” (1 Thessalonians 2:17). Paul knows that relationship absences for even a “short time” affects our walk because we must stand together in battle against our sin nature, the world, and the tempter until we see our Father face to face. In Ephesians 5:15-16, he states: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
Understanding the Truth with one another
Verse by Verse ~ Topic by Topic ~ Argument by Argument
Read 1 Thessalonians 3: 1-13
1a. How can we battle wisely? One way is to keep the end in mind. Read verse 13. Note the “so that” that opens this verse. What is the end that we should keep in mind? (Hint: our lesson title points to it :)
1b. When you stand before our Father what would He notice if your heart were established blameless in holiness?
1c. To be so established what would your day-to-day time have looked like on earth?
1d. Why would time engaged in day-to-day battles have been worth it? (Are tears in your eyes yet? They are in mine as I write this.)
Verses 1-3
2a. For what specific purposes does Paul send Timothy to the Thessalonians?
2b. What is the cost to the team serving in Athens in sending Timothy?
2c. If a letter could have provided instruction, then why send Timothy?
Verses 4-5
3a. Review the afflictions Paul and the Thessalonians endured that we’ve discussed in previous lessons.
3b. When Paul/Silvanus/Timothy were together with the Thessalonians, why did they keep telling the Thessalonians that they were destined to suffer afflictions?
3c. If Paul “kept telling” them that believers will suffer, then why does he fear their labor would be in vain? Why is this fear realistic?
Verses 6-8
4a. Paul shifts in verse 6 with “But now.” In the Bible, “good news” always refers to the gospel – Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day; however, there is one exception of its usage which is right here in verse 6. Why does Paul choose to use “good news” in this context?
4b. Underline or list Paul’s other language that conveys how he has been moved from uncertainty to confidence.
4c When Paul says, “For now we live if [*since] you are standing fast in the Lord,” we might think he is prone to exaggeration. Why is this dramatic language justified?
*In English “if” is usually conditional, but Paul’s usage often shows cause & effect.
Verses 9-13
5. We are going to pray through these verses today. Underline or list Paul’s prayers for the church. (If you want to list them, go to our “Praying Through the Truth” at the lesson’s end.)
Living the Truth as we are sent out
Overarching Question -- How can we live in FAITH, LOVE, and HOPE in light of the PAST and in view of FUTURE?
Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength and with all our mind (Luke 10:27). Therefore, the tempter seeks to shake our heart, souls, strengths, and minds knowing if he is successful, he will separate us from God and from others. Church, he is shaking us right now.
The chart on the next page is adapted from Warren Wiersbe’s book The Strategy of Satan. You will not have time to review each person’s story, but what they have in common is that Satan tempted them when they were ALONE.
Start with “your mind” and review briefly Satan’s strategy as you move down the column. In the “Your Defense” row, Wiersbe provides OUR strategy for combatting Satan’s strategy. Note each strategic move is to stay in relationship with the Three-in-One. Answer the bolded questions and use the provided blank space to write your ideas.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him FIRM in YOUR FAITH, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered A LITTLE WHILE the God of all grace who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ will HIMSELF restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:8-11
6. How can we stay connected to our church family to help us defend ourselves individually?
How can we help one another stay connected to defend our church family?
(If you wish to study these Old Testament characters’ lives, then you can use the references provided below their names; you may wish to study the chapters before and after those references for a greater understanding of Satan’s strategy and God’s grace.)
7. Share your area (mind, body, will, heart/conscience) of greatest struggle right now as well as your need for connection in the form of a prayer request. Space is provided to jot your brothers and sisters’ prayer requests.
8. In this lesson we saw how the Thessalonicans’ faith encouraged Paul. See the applications below to encourage our “Paul/Silvanus/Timothy’s” at Grace.
Idea A -- IF you have not done this already at church last Sunday, text to #94000; type in “connectatgrace” and follow the prompts. By doing this you will greatly encourage Pastor Eddie J. Go ahead and do it now. It only takes a few minutes. If you have more to say, then read “Idea B” below.
Idea B -- Just like Paul, any Grace staff member would enjoy hearing how you are doing and how their labor of love is impacting you. This would greatly encourage their hearts because they “live” to serve our God and His people. Your email could consist of just a few sentences to encourage a particular staff member who has blessed you or your family or maybe just one who is on your heart. The staff does not know that I’m suggesting this as an application for this week’s lesson, so this will be a fun surprise for them.
To send an email, just type the first letter of a staff member’s name and their last name, followed by @gracelaredo.org. So, for example, Pastor Eddie’s would be earanda@gracelaredo.org. You can go to the Grace website to see all the staff there (gracelaredo.org).
Praying Through the Truth for one another
How can we pray for you in light of what you learned in 1 Thessalonians 3?
Use the remaining time to first pray for our church following Paul’s thanksgiving and prayer requests in verses 9-13 as your guide (question 5). Then pray for one another (question 7). As you pray, adopt the tone of a child who -- in just a short time -- will see his/her Father face-to-face.
God’s joy and strength to you, beloved Bride!
kpaulson@gracelaredo.org