"Houses of Hope" Week One: Introduction

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1 Thessalonians 1:1–3

Welcome, we’re delighted you’ve chosen to dig more deeply into the Scriptures and consider what God has for you through this sermon.

These sermon practices are ideally intended to be discussed with others, so find a friend, family member, or roommate to join you. If you haven’t yet joined a life group yet, check out our groups page or stop at the Welcome Center for more info.

Acts 17:1-10 [NIV]

In Thessalonica

17 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. ²As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. ⁴Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.

⁵But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.^[a] ⁶But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, ⁷and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” ⁸When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. ⁹Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.

In Berea

¹⁰As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 [NIV]

Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith

²We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. ³We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. ⁷And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, ⁹for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Getting Started

Before you start today’s study, be sure you take a moment to sit quietly before the Lord, then have one person pray, asking the Holy Spirit to give you all deep insight into the Scriptures and the ability to receive his teaching and direction in your time together.

Exploring Scripture: Visiting Thessalonica

Read aloud Acts 17:1-10.

While you read, try to follow their journey along on the map.

What reactions did the Jews of Thessalonica have to Paul & Silas’ visit?
What were the accusations made against them? Why was this an issue?

Exploring Scripture: Writing to Thessalonica

Read aloud 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, then re-read verses 1 - 3. This a letter Paul and his team wrote to encourage the Jesus-following church that had started during their time in Thessalonica.

What stands out to you? What was encouraging? What was confusing?
Why is Paul so thankful for these young believers?
Notice the three pairs of cause-and-effect Paul mentions in verse 3. Match each internal motive with the external outcome written below:
1. 1. Work produced by _________
  2. Labor prompted by _________
  3. Endurance inspired by _________
Why do you think this is so satisfying and meaningful to Paul? What does it say about the experience of the believers in Thessalonica?
The sermon mentioned the idea that “you can’t give what you don’t have.” How does this relate to this passage?

Reflection: Experiencing & Embodying Hope

Describe your own experience with God in these three areas of faith, love & hope.

Share an example for each one.
- What kind of faith has he downloaded into you?
- What kind of love have you experienced from him?
- How confident is your hope in the person and work of Jesus?
In your own life, where do you most need the Lord to give you hope?
When you look out at the world, what concerns you most?

The sermon mentioned that we are called to “build houses of hope with Jesus.” While this is a calling for all of us as Jesus followers, it doesn’t have to look the same. We will each do this in the unique spaces we’ve been placed in and in the unique ways we’re equipped for.

Where is it that you believe God has called you to join him in building a house of hope? In your workplace? home? school? neighborhood? team? with the most vulnerable?
What skills, gifts, resources, influence, relationships and/or life experiences do you think empower you to embody God’s hope in this area?

Wrapping Up

Before you start praying aloud, set an alarm for three minutes and sit quietly and simply listen for thoughts in your head. If it helps, you can journal or doodle as you contemplate. As thoughts come up, talk to God about them silently. Assess them to see if they could be from the Holy Spirit and that they align with scripture.

After that brief moment of quietness, pray out loud for each other based on the promptings that came up during your time of personal reflection. Then pray for any additional prayer requests.

“Houses of Hope” Week One: Introduction