Thessalonians 1-2: Verse by Verse With Bible Study FellowshipSample

DAY TEN – RIGHT APPROACH TO CHRISTIAN LIVING

Audio Teaching 

Listen to these deeper insights and practical applications from days 6-10

Paul’s Request for Prayer – 3:1-5

Paul knew the Thessalonians’ prayers were necessary for his life and ministry. Paul’s personal request in chapter 3 affirms the Holy Spirit’s power is at work within all believers. Even new converts can pray for others’ needs. Paul’s prayer requests focus on God’s glory. By God’s will, the gospel would spread rapidly and be proven worthy against persecution and errors. Also, Paul and his partners would be delivered from wicked and evil people opposed to the gospel.1

When Paul first arrived in Thessalonica, its citizens saw God answer similar prayers previously prayed to their own benefit. The gospel took root and flourished despite opposition. How amazing to think that other Christians among other churches prayed for Paul’s time in Thessalonica. Now, Paul asked these new believers to pray for others who would soon encounter the gospel. 

In other words, God had provided the Thessalonians with the very things they were now to pray for others to receive. Their reputation for perseverance was spreading the gospel. They were surviving opposition. They were to continue to live by faith.

Commands for Christlike Living – 3:6-15

Paul loved God and the Thessalonian church too much to ignore unholy behavior. Disobedience harmed their unity and reputation among others in the city. Some people among the church had decided the Lord was coming back soon. They faltered in their response. They:  

• followed their emotions and ideas.  
• abandoned physical duties.  
• spiritualized idleness and disruptive behavior.  
• twisted dependence into demands for church members to support their “religious” pursuits.

In his first letter, Paul corrected this wrong approach to the Lord’s coming. In this second letter, he gives commands to discipline this unruly group. He involved the whole church in solving the problem. Brothers and sisters must work together to warn and restore one another.  

• The “busy” were to keep away from the idle, disruptive and disobedient regarding work.  
• The “busybodies” were to settle down and earn their own provisions.  
• All were to follow Paul’s example and words. 

Paul used his past behavior as an example. While preaching full-time in Thessalonica, Paul and his partners had the right to financially depend on the believers. But they set aside their rights in favor of work since they were able. Paul’s repeated command is clear, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” All were to follow Paul’s example and words. Believers experience God’s gifts of grace and peace as they obey His Word by the Spirit.

Are you idle and unduly dependent on others? We spread the news of Christ’s coming kingdom by remaining busy for King Jesus. Those with a right view of the Lord’s return remain occupied in consistent Christlike living. How well do you care for yourself and your household? Where do you need help from God in discerning what God is calling you to do next? How quickly will you joyfully obey His prompting to serve?

Final Greetings – 3:16-18

Paul’s closing summarizes the main purposes of his letter. Believers need not fear. They have peace with God. The peace of the Lord Jesus is indivisible from His presence. The indwelling Holy Spirit assures believers of everlasting fellowship. Jesus said, “My peace I give you. I do not give [mere outward peace] to you as the world gives. Do not let not your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”2

Paul wrote to refute rumors, perhaps even false letters. He authenticates his teaching in this letter by signing his name. The letter’s finish provided an example for comparison against others for forgery.3

God’s holiness includes His love and grace. Paul’s heart for his dearly loved Thessalonians is seen to the end. Paul’s letter admonishes believers to stand firm on God’s Word, and to flee from gossip, fearfulness, false teachings, disunity and a love for laziness. Love requires discipline, but his last word shows God’s discipline is part of His grace.

What made Paul’s life worthy of imitation? Not his personality, gifts or abilities. He modeled dependence on God through union with his Lord Jesus Christ. Such dependence submits all emotions, thoughts, actions and desires to be molded by God’s will for holy living. Believers depend on the Spirit to live out His promise to shape us into the likeness of Christ within God’s family and in the world.4

Questions

Q1. Why did Paul request prayer? For what part of your life do you need prayer?

INSIGHTS: For God’s Word to spread in the midst of opposition; for deliverance from wicked and evil people. Personal responses will vary.

Q2. Why is idleness a problem, and how does it differ from rest or inability to work?

INSIGHTS: Some church members believed Jesus would return any moment. Therefore, they were not working because labor to earn provisions for the future did not matter. Their idleness was a poor testimony to unbelievers. It also added unnecessary burden to other believers. The idle were disruptive “busybodies.” Idleness is a refusal to work when one is able to. This differs from rest, which God expects workers to take. Those who are unable to work for legitimate reasons (for example: poor health, extenuating factors in society or the economy) do not automatically belong in the “idle” category.

Q3. How does the truth of Christ’s return impact the way you live and interact with others today? 

Reflect

Let’s pause to reflect on what we’ve discovered to help us live faithfully for Christ, in light of His coming return. Reflect on the Scripture, your prayers and responses to the questions raised as you studied. Here are two final questions to guide you into putting God’s truth to work in your daily life. 

What aspect of God’s character and His plan for humanity do you understand better through this letter?

How does 2 Thessalonians equip you to intervene and help others who are fearful, confused or suffering?

Related Verses

1 God guards His family: Zechariah 2:8-9; John 17:11-12; 1 Peter 1:5 

2 True peace: John 14:27

3 Paul’s signature: 1 Corinthians 16:21; Galatians 6:11; Colossians 4:18 

4 Christ’s likeness: Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:10; 5:1; Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:3

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