Living a Life on MissionSample

THE THESSALONIANS

Think...

In the readings from 1 Thessalonians, who is speaking and whom are they speaking to?

According to 1:5, how did the gospel come to the Thessalonians? What was their response?

What does 1 Thessalonians 2:3-8 tell us about how we should present the gospel?

God would dramatically and completely transform the life of a Christ-hater named Paul. This man joined the ranks of the apostles and became a powerful witness for Christ. He undertook three missionary journeys written about in the book of Acts. One of the stops on his second journey was Thessalonica, the capital of Macedonia. In Acts 17:4 we read that some of the Jews in Thessalonica were saved, as were a great many Greeks and several leading women of the city. Due to persecution, the new Christians removed Paul from the city for his own safety. Later he would write a pair of letters to this fledgling church.

1 Thessalonians 1 & 2 give us a little more detail of the Thessalonian church’s response to the gospel. Even in the midst of persecution, they received the Word with joy and became an example for the other believers in their region. Their transformation from idol worshippers to Jesus followers was amazing.

Paul’s approach to sharing the gospel, as he described it in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, contains some important lessons for us as we seek to carry on God’s mission in our day and age:

• They declared the Word with boldness despite persecution (2:2).
• They did not attempt to deceive or mislead with their message (2:3).
• They did not walk in the fear of man, but spoke to please God (2:4).
• They did not present their message for personal profit or for their own glory (2:5-6).
• They walked in relationship, with gentleness and love (2:7-8, 11).
• They strove not to be a financial burden to those they were ministering to (2:9).
• They exhorted and encouraged the Thessalonians to walk in a manner worthy of God (2:12).

Paul knew that he and his companions had been approved by God for this mission and entrusted with the gospel (2:4). He knew it was a weighty privilege to be entrusted by God with this gospel and mission. He wanted to present it with integrity and love.

We can learn a lot from Paul’s motives and methods for presenting the gospel of the Kingdom. At the end of the day, in our mission, we are both presenting and representing Jesus. In whatever we are called to – healthcare, sports, music, church planting, etc - let us walk as He did and with the power of His Spirit lead others to His life-transforming Kingdom.

Apply...

Re-read theses bullet points..

• They declared the Word with boldness despite persecution (2:2).
• They did not attempt to deceive or mislead with their message (2:3).
• They did not walk in the fear of man, but spoke to please God (2:4).
• They did not present their message for personal profit or for their own glory (2:5-6).
• They walked in relationship, with gentleness and love (2:7-8, 11).
• They strove not to be a financial burden to those they were ministering to (2:9).
• They exhorted and encouraged the Thessalonians to walk in a manner worthy of God (2:12).

Do you feel the leading or conviction of the Holy Spirit to respond to any of them?

Choose one of the bullet points that you want to improve on. What can you do this week to make a change?

We hope this Bible study challenged and inspired you! The journey to follow God is life-long. Thank you for making this study part of your journey. May the time and diligence you put into seeking God and studying His Word bring fruit that lasts in your life and the lives of others. (John 15:16)

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