Thrive Week Three - Discussion Questions
Thriving in Commitment • 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
Pray Together
Spend some time praising God for who he is.
Spend some time thanking God for what he has done for you.
Read Together
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13.
Timothy’s Good Report about the Church
17Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again. 18We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. 19After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! 20Yes, you are our pride and joy.
1Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, 2and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, 3and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles. 4Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know. 5That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.
6But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. 7So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. 8It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.
9How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. 10Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.
11May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. 12And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 13May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.
Discuss Together
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13. What statement(s) stand out to you in this Scripture?
When you have you made a commitment you wish you had not made? When have you made a commitment that you were glad you made?
Why do you think many people are afraid of commitment?
How do we focus on the temporary and not the eternal?
How can we improve at developing an eternal focus?
How is prayer critical to developing an eternal focus?
Does the truth that Jesus will return to earth frighten you or motivate? Why?
How can we help each other live with an eternal focus?
Pray Together
Pray for the prayer requests of your group.
Pray for our church that we would develop a greater eternal focus and remain committed together to the cause of Christ despite our circumstances.
