Now We Live

READ:

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 · John 13:35

Why does Paul say that he wanted to see the Thessalonians face to face? (Reference 1 Thess. 2:17-18 & 3:10)

Paraphrase 1 Thessalonians 3:6-8 in your own words

What does Paul say motivated him to send Timothy? Why do you think he said it that way?

What do you think Paul is trying to say in 1Thess. 2:19-20? Would you feel comfortable talking that way about your brothers and sisters? Why?

How often do you think of yourself as God’s coworker? What does it mean to be God’s coworker?

What is Paul afraid of in 1 Thess. 3:5? What do you think he means by “in vain”?

What does this passage say will establish our hearts blameless in holiness?

DISCUSS:

Why do you think Paul wanted to be face-to-face so badly?

Do you have a hard time getting face-to-face with people you don’t know very well? Why?

What are some things that make loving others hard for you?

What are some ways that loving people can be dangerous?

Think of someone who you love that has helped you get through a hard time. What was it about them that helped you? How can you learn from that experience to help you learn to love others?

PRAY:

Thank God for his love for us and ask him to supply us with the power we need to learn how to love others the way that he has loved us.

RESPOND:

Commit to memorizing 1 Thessaloninas 3:12-13:

“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”

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