WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: God intends to make you like Jesus, to restore God’s image in you. Are you ready to let him do that work in you?

Paul conjures up a picture of how God’s people should live together to honour the Lord. For each aspect of Christian living, ask yourself how you and your fellowship are doing:

Christians look out for each other (vs 12–15), treating each other with love and respect. There are people in our churches who need constant help and encouragement, whilst others struggle with self-control or doubts. None of us is perfect yet, but God is working to make us so (vs 23,24). Since he is patient with us, we must be patient with one another (v 14).

Christians don’t get even (v 15)! How do you react when someone in your fellowship behaves badly toward you? Do we aim to repay evil with kindness as Jesus taught (Matthew 5:43–48)?

Christians aim for holiness. That means we warn and challenge each other about unholy behaviour. Paul did this in Thessalonica (4:11,12; 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6–14). God uses loving warnings to lead us into holiness (v 23).

Christians are constantly thankful for what Jesus has done (vs 16,18).

Christians are passionate about talking to God (v 17) and listening to him (vs 19–22).

Respond: Thank the Lord for progress you can see in yourself and your church. Pray for those areas that need work using Paul’s prayer (v 23).

http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-10-30