Explore The New TestamentSample

SAY WHAT? (What is the passage saying?)

• Paul requests prayer from the Thesssalonians, then does some correcting...
• Apparently some of the Thessalonians were so focused on the return of Jesus that they stopped focusing on this life. This led some to stop working. Paul corrects this thinking, encouraging them to work hard.

SO WHAT? (What are the underlying principles?)

• The Thessalonians had some wrong thinking. In this chapter he gives them a few right ways to think, telling them to “never tire of doing what is right” (verse 13), and to “pray… that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored” (verse 1) and that “the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance” (verse 5). These should all be ways we think and approach our lives.

NOW WHAT? (How will you personally apply this passage?)

• What causes you to tire of doing what is right? How could your relationship with God give you the energy and persistence to never tire of doing the right thing?
• Do you pray that the message of the Lord will spread rapidly and be honored? How could you remind yourself to make this something you pray about consistently?
• What do you think it would look like to let "the Lord direct" your heart "into God's love and Christ's perseverance"? How could you make that a regular part of your life?