1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
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.
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.
Reflection: Time Alone
Use this first section as a time of personal reflection. If you’re with your group, just take a couple minutes to quietly reflect and/or journal on your own.
Think about the essential people in a person's life: Peers, Big Brothers/Sisters, Coaches, Teachers, Parents, Grandparents, etc.
- Who has played these roles in your life?
- Have you played these roles in the lives of others? Are you currently?
John Townsend says that we need relational nutrients as much as we need our practical needs met (food, water, shelter).
- When you look at his outline of relational nutrients below, what do you need more of?
PRESENCE
Acceptance - Connect without judgment
Empathy - Respond to what another is experiencing. Get “in their well.”
Validation - Convey that person’s experience is significant and not to be dismissed
Identification - Share your similar story
Containment - Allow the other to vent while staying warm without reacting
Comfort - Provide support for someone’s loss
WARMTH
Affirmation - Draw attention to the good
Encouragement - Convey that you believe in someone’s ability to do the difficult
Respect - Assign value
Hope - Provide reality-based confidence in the future
Forgiveness - Cancel a debt
Celebration - Acknowledge a win, both cognitively and emotionally
TRUTH
Clarification - Bring order to confusion
Perspective - Offer a different viewpoint
Insight - Convey a deeper understanding
Feedback - Give a personal response
Confrontation - Face someone with an appeal to change
ACTION
Advice - Recommend an action step
Structure - Provide a framework
Challenge - Strongly recommend a difficult action
Development - Create a growth environment
Service - Guide engagement to giving back
Exploring Scripture: Jesus’ Command
Read Matthew 28:16-20
- Try to place yourself in the disciples’ shoes as they witnessed these things and heard these words from Jesus. How do you think you would have reacted?
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
- How do you see Paul carry out Jesus’ command?
Reflection: Time Together
Use this section to reflect & discuss together
- What excuses tend to keep you from following Jesus’s command to make disciples?
- What do you need to do in order to move past these excuses?
- Finally, share with your group about your time alone. Assess as a group, “Are we getting the relational nutrients we need from one another?”
Wrapping Up
In addition to any prayer requests, ask God to help you as a group meet the relational needs of one another so you may share that with those around you. If there are specific needs that have arisen during your discussion, pray for those in depth.