1. The Evidence That God is At Work (vs. 1-4)

2. The Way God Works (vs. 5)

3. The Effects of God’s Work (vs. 6-10)

For Further Thought and Discussion
Getting Started
1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. What is the biggest change you’ve seen in your life since you put your faith in Jesus?

Going Deeper
3. Please read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4. How does Paul know that God has chosen the Thessalonians? What evidence does he see that God is at work in them? Why is an inward character change the best indicator that God is working in us? Why are those changes the best evidence we can show the world that the gospel is true? How do you define the work of faith? The labor of love? The steadfastness of hope? How have you seen these in your own experience?

4. Please read 1 Thessalonians 1:5. What do you notice about the way the gospel came to Thessalonica? What did God do? What did Paul and his companions do? What do you learn about effective evangelism from this verse?

5. Please read 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10. What effects do you observe of the gospel coming to Thessalonica? Why is reproduction so important to the spread of the gospel? If the gospel stops with us and doesn’t spread beyond us, what does this imply about our faith in the gospel?

6. What do you learn from this chapter about a healthy Christian? About a healthy church?


Application
What is one thing you can do this week to apply this passage?

For Further Thought and Discussion
Getting Started
1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. How would you complete this sentence? “I will be satisfied when….”

Going Deeper
3. Please read Luke 2:21-38. How would you describe Simeon? Anna? What does vs. 29-30 tell you about Simeon?

4. How do Simeon and Anna exemplify the truth that fulfillment is the result of wanting the right thing? Can you identify anything you’ve looked for fulfillment from which has disappointed you? Why?

5. Why are Mary and Joseph amazed (vs. 32) at what Simeon says about Jesus? How is Simeon’s message different from what the Jews expected of the Messiah? (vs. 30-35). How do Simeon and Anna exemplify the truth that fulfillment is the result of embracing temporary discomfort for an eternal reward? How does Mary? Can you think of an example of when temporary discomfort led to satisfaction?

6. How do Simeon and Anna exemplify the truth that fulfillment is the result of believing before seeing? Why does true fulfillment require faith? What are you currently waiting for God to do?

Application
What is one thing you can do this week to apply this passage?