The Gospel Church - Week 8
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
The God of Peace will SURELY do it.
Connecting to one another
Think about your past week and in your mind recall a sin (thought, attitude, action) you committed that you know displeased the God of peace. Take a moment to confess that sin to God if you have not already. If you’re comfortable, state your sin in one word to the group (anger, discontent, pride, selfishness).
What did you like or dislike about what I just asked you to do?
Context of Today’s Passage
In our passage today, Paul gives 20 commands. First I asked you to confess sin; now I’m setting you up to read 20 commands? Are you feeling tired already?
Have you ever wondered why God did not just snap you up to heaven as soon as you trusted Him for your salvation? This would have saved you from sinning further against Him and spared you the humiliation of needing to confess to Him. Or...have you ever wondered why He established the Church, whom He calls His Bride, who, if we’re honest, (and since this is a Bible study we have to be) is currently crowned with a very messy bun? He does not, after all, need us to do anything for Him, and undoubtedly, He could have spared Himself humiliation if He just did the job Himself.
As Paul closes his letter, remember he is writing to a church, a family of brothers and sisters. He will shed light on these answers. And, yep, it’s going to be messy.
Understanding the Truth with one another
Verse by Verse ~ Topic by Topic ~ Argument by Argument
Read 1 Thessalonians 5: 12-28.
Verses 12-13 commands 1-3
1a. In verses 12-13, you can infer what Paul believes characterizes a leader in the Church. Make a list of their qualities.
Did “perfection” make the list? No? Aww, then this might be where it gets messy.
1b. Why does Paul command followers to “respect” leaders and again to “esteem [them] very highly in love”?
1c. Why does Paul follow those commands with the command to “Be at peace among yourselves”? Consider the benefit for the leaders, the followers, the church family.
Verses 14-15 commands 4-9
2a. Paul has already addressed the idle (4:11-12) and the weak (4:3-8). His entire book addressed the fainthearted since the church suffered from persecution and longed for Jesus’ return. In verse 14, what does it look like for a church to admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, and help the weak? Consider who does this, how it should be done, and how long it would take for these members of the family to become selfless, upright, and courageous.
2b. Why does Paul follow those commands with the commands of verse 15? Consider the benefit for the church (one another) and for the community (everyone).
Is it natural for us to not seek our own justice? No? Aww, then maybe THIS is where it gets messy.
Verses 16-18 commands 10-12
3a. Given what Paul already commanded, why does he shift to commands to pray?
3b. What type of prayer life does Paul command?
You already know the drill. If you haven’t already, discuss why these commands are a bit messy (albeit not optional) to follow, especially given the Thessalonians’ circumstances.
3c. What type of disciple does this type of prayer life create?
Verses 19-22 commands 13-17
4. The Father, Son, and Spirit, acting in their different roles, provide spiritual gifts to build the Church. Prophecy is one of the gifts (Eph 4:11-12; 1 Cor 12:4-6, 10). A prophet can be “tested” by comparing his or her words to the Truth we know that is already revealed in Scripture (1 Cor 12:3). How would a church acting in unity obey the commands of these verses?
When Paul commands, “Abstain from every form of evil,” he is recognizing how messy the Church could quickly become. His tone is stern. Why?
Verses 23-24
5a. With these verses we know the answer to why God did not snap us up when we trusted Him for our salvation but kept us here to form His church. According to these verses what is the supreme goal of every disciple?
5b. To be sanctified is to be holy, to be set apart for God, to be separate from the world. Skim verses 12-22.What is OUR responsibility if we are to be sanctified?
5c. If we bear responsibility for our sanctification, then why does Paul state that God “will surely do it”? How can both be true? It’s messy, right?
Verses 25-28 commands 18-20
6. How do the three commands of these verses each reflect practices that Christ’s Bride should never forsake if she is truly His?
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?
Review
Over the past seven lessons, you have been challenged in various ways to apply 1 Thessalonians to your life by...ready?
· Discipling another person (family member, friend, etc.) in your sphere of people
· Modeling how a disciple speaks and acts even when in relationship conflict
· Overcoming obstacles that hinder you from teaching a younger disciple
· Sharing your current greatest struggle in spiritual warfare as a way to be accountable & set free
· Writing an encouraging note to a leader of the church
· Confessing sin to one another as a way to be accountable & set free
· Sharing Bible verses with one another to keep each other from sin
· Encouraging one another as you stand firm in trial or persecution
· Listing and applying practical ways you can lead yourself in a deeper relationship with God
· And over alllllllll those you’ve prayed for one another, our church, and our city week by week by week
7. Have you considered that your small group is a mini church within our church within THE Church? You are the Bride, and by discipling one another you are purifying the Bride and waiting together for Jesus to “fetch” her and purify her completely. On that Day, we will be sanctified, arrayed in white robes with a crown of glory covering us. Review the list above and discuss that, recognizing the messiness of it all while still expressing appreciation for one another.
8. God has promised that He will surely sanctify us, but wrapping up a book in no way means that He’s done with that process. So set up prayer trios or quads in your group. Then read the homework.
Homework -- This week we covered 20 commands. Which of these commands specifically or in general do you need to grow in? What will you do over the next week to grow in that? Text your prayer partners tomorrow your thoughts and decision and then text each other encouraging prayers over those throughout the week. Of course, you are not limited to praying over one another about these things.
Praying Through the Truth for one another
How can we pray for you in light of what you learned in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11?
Praise God in response to what you read and discussed today.