Creekside Community Church
The Character of a Disciple-Maker (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
Skin in the Game: Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians February 9th, 2020 Jeff Bruce, Lead Pastor
Locations & Times
Creekside Community Church
951 MacArthur Blvd, San Leandro, CA 94577, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
1.More Concerned about God’s Truth than Personal Advantage (2:1-5)
2.More Concerned about People’s Growth than Personal Comfort (2:6-12)
For further thought and discussion:
Getting Started
1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. When was the last time someone doubted, questioned or challenged your character? How did you respond?
Going Deeper
3. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Why does Paul feel the need to defend himself to the Thessalonians? What prompted him to mount this defense (see Acts 17:1-10)? Why would Paul consider it necessary to do this? How does this passage serve not only as a defense but also as a model for Christians to imitate (see 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2:14)?
4. Paul writes, “our coming to you was not in vain” (2:1). What does he mean by this? Why does Paul think his ministry wasn’t empty (i.e. devoid of substance)?
5. Paul uses a variety of images to describe his ministry. He calls himself a steward (v. 4), an infant (v. 7), a wet nurse (v. 7), a mom (v. 7), and a father (11). Which of these images is most striking to you? What do each of these images teach us about the character of an effective disciple-maker?
Application
6. Paul exhibited both (1) a profound commitment to God’s Word and (2) profound care for people. Why are both of these necessary to be an effective disciple-maker? What happens when one or the other is lacking? Which of these characteristics do you want to grow in?
7. In the course of the sermon, Jeff drew out a number of practical implications for disciple-making. Which of these implications stood out to you? Why?
8. What’s one thing you can do this week to apply this passage?
Getting Started
1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. When was the last time someone doubted, questioned or challenged your character? How did you respond?
Going Deeper
3. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Why does Paul feel the need to defend himself to the Thessalonians? What prompted him to mount this defense (see Acts 17:1-10)? Why would Paul consider it necessary to do this? How does this passage serve not only as a defense but also as a model for Christians to imitate (see 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2:14)?
4. Paul writes, “our coming to you was not in vain” (2:1). What does he mean by this? Why does Paul think his ministry wasn’t empty (i.e. devoid of substance)?
5. Paul uses a variety of images to describe his ministry. He calls himself a steward (v. 4), an infant (v. 7), a wet nurse (v. 7), a mom (v. 7), and a father (11). Which of these images is most striking to you? What do each of these images teach us about the character of an effective disciple-maker?
Application
6. Paul exhibited both (1) a profound commitment to God’s Word and (2) profound care for people. Why are both of these necessary to be an effective disciple-maker? What happens when one or the other is lacking? Which of these characteristics do you want to grow in?
7. In the course of the sermon, Jeff drew out a number of practical implications for disciple-making. Which of these implications stood out to you? Why?
8. What’s one thing you can do this week to apply this passage?