August 24, 2012
PAUL'S FIELD GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY
1 Thessalonians 2
Steve Ratliff
Central Truth
Paul displays the perfect example of how we are to minister to our communities and to one another.
Key Verse | 1 Thessalonians 2:8
Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
1 Thessalonians 2
Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians
1 For you yourselves know, brothers, 1 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17 that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, 2 2:5 Or with a flattering speech as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle 3 2:7 Some manuscripts infants among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 And we also thank God constantly 4 2:13 Or without ceasing for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men 5 2:13 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 6 2:14 The Greek word Ioudaioi can refer to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last! 7 2:16 Or completely, or forever
Paul's Longing to See Them Again
17 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, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Footnotes
[1] 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17[2] 2:5 Or with a flattering speech
[3] 2:7 Some manuscripts infants
[4] 2:13 Or without ceasing
[5] 2:13 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women
[6] 2:14 The Greek word Ioudaioi can refer to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time
[7] 2:16 Or completely, or forever
Dive Deeper | 1 Thessalonians 2
As I write this Traveler's Log, I am sitting in a living room full of boxes, packing up to move. I'm not going far, just 10 minutes from my current home. Paul was much more of a man on the move. After a stay in Philippi, Paul made a brief stop in Thessalonica. While he was there, he laid out the perfect field guide for me to follow as I settle into a new area.
Let's take a look at what Paul did while he was in Thessalonica. The most important thing he did while he was there was to "speak to you the gospel of God" (verse 2). He boldly shared the good news of Jesus with all he met even though he faced much opposition. In his letter to encourage the church of Thessalonica, he reminded them about his time with them and the example he set for them and us.
While he was with them, Paul's motives were not
• impure (verse 3);
• pleasing to people, but God (verse 4);
• greedy (verse 5);
• seeking personal glory (verse 6).
Paul's actions did not:
• deceive (verse 3);
• flatter (verse 5);
• burden (verse 9).
Paul set the example that we are to:
• be bold (verse 2);
• be gentle (verse 7);
• work hard (verse 9);
• be blameless (verse 10); and
• love one another (verse 8).
He may not have been in Thessalonica as long as I plan on staying at my new home, but he was productive for God and laid out the perfect example of how I am to act as I meet new neighbors and make new friends. Paul and his companions had, "[s]o fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us" (verse 8). This is the standard of ministry in our communities that Paul displayed for us -- to share the gospel and our lives. Now it's our turn!
Discussion Questions
1. How are you doing at loving your community, your neighbors, co-workers, and friends?
2. What are your motives as you are you talking to your community? Are your actions telling a different story?
3. Who are you sharing your life with?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
August 20-24 (Colossians 2- 1 Thessalonians 2)
Read Colossians 3:12-17.
• What does Paul say you should clothe yourself with in verse 12?
• How would your life look different if you put on all of these each morning?
• Verse 12 (NLT) says we should "[m]ake allowance" for each other's faults, what does this mean to you?
• What's the most important "piece of clothing" you should put on?
• What does verse 14 tell us to always do?
• What does it mean to counsel others with the words of Christ?
• What do you have to be doing to be able to share Christ's words with someone else?
• Do you live your life in a way that represents Christ to others?
• How could you be living differently so Christ is reflected more clearly to others through you?
Activity: Get out some markers and paper. Ask each person to write one of the words from verse 12 on separate pieces of paper. Now look at the word in a mirror. What did you notice about the word? Now write the word on another piece of paper so that when you look at it in the mirror, you will be able to read it correctly. Was it hard to write the word differently so you could read it in the mirror? Did it take practice? Following Christ and reflecting Him to others is not always easy. It takes practice and commitment to really know His Word and to reflect Him to others.