Lesson Plan – January 29, 2025

Walking With Jesus VI.

“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Introduction and Context

We continue our studies and conversations in “Walking with Jesus,” Part VI in Paul’s letters to the church in Thessalonica. Thessalonica was a major city in the Roman Province of Macedonia.) Again, the goal is to learn how the early Christians, churches, and leaders functioned as a community in a world that hated them for their existence. If you recall, we had looked at the circumstances surrounding the start of this church and how envious Jews attacked the new converts, doing everything they could to stop the new movement. Here is the scripture again for a refresher:

But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

Acts 17:5 NKJV

Paul was writing with the assistance of Timothy and Silvanus as his assistants (see Ch. 1 Vs. 1-2) from the City of Corinth. He expressed concern that their turbulent beginning might have resulted in pressure to abandon their faith in Christ, so he sent Timothy to check on them. Timothy returned with good news confirming that God’s grace was at work in the Thessalonican Church. In many ways, reading the letter and the issues Paul addresses sounded like the times (around AD 50) weren’t that different from today despite it not being as technologically advanced. Does it feel that way to you? Paul also touched on the need for brothers and sisters in Christ to love one another as Christ commanded and to avoid sexual immorality.

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God”

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 NKJV

Guided Conversations

Scripture Text: Read 1 Thessalonians Chapter 3 and Chapter 4:1-12 (Total of 31 verses.) Discuss your findings using the questions in this sub-section:

  • What came to mind as you were reading both chapters? Did any verse or sets of verses stick out to you? What do you feel the Holy Spirit pointing out to you?
  • Describe Timothy’s assignment in Ch. 3 Vs. 1-5. Why did Paul send him to Thessalonica? What was Paul’s concern for the believers there? Are there things we can relate to today?
  • Timothy returned with some good news about the Church in Thessalonica, proving in Ch. 3:6-10 that Paul’s prayer for them was answered. Describe how we can tell that Paul’s prayer was answered from these verses.
  • God’s view on sexual immorality is still the same today as it was when Paul wrote these letters. How seriously does God take sexual immorality? Ch. 4 Vs. 3-8. Take note of the heavy words in Vs. 7-8.
  • In Ch 3 Vs. 12, Paul prays for them “to increase and abound in to love one another.” He commends them for being loving towards all the Macedonian brethren. What practical things can we do to obey this command in Joy Fountain, Winnipeg, and Manitoba?

Summary and Conclusion

Like all other Pauline letters, the letters to the church in Thessalonica provide a template for today’s Jesus disciple and congregational life. In one of the verses, in the first letter 1 Thess. 2:14, Paul talks about how they in Thessalonica had become “imitators of the churches of God.” Paul was essentially celebrating their ability to “follow” or “copy” other churches that had begun before them who had endured some suffering from the hatred of the world. Friends, the early churches laid out a pattern, and we should imitate (copy) them today. The God who called them out also called us out from the world unto Himself, and He can make all grace abound for us to succeed and be faithful in our walk with Him, in Jesus’ name.

For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans”

1 Thess. 2:14 NKJV

Prayer Time

  • Are there any Praise Reports or Prayer Requests to share?
  • Give thanks for 2025 and prophesy good things over this year for the Church and yourself.
  • Pray using 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4,12-13 1) that we are established and encouraged in the faith, 2) that no one is shaken by anything the enemy throws at us, 3) that we may increase in love to one another, 4) that Christ may establish our hearts blameless in holiness before God.
  • Pray for revival in Joy Fountain Church in our City, Winnipeg, and Manitoba.

Announcements

  • Prayer Summit February 1, 2025, from 12 to 2 pm.
  • Next Small Group Meeting February 12, 2025. We continue our conversations, “Walking With Jesus.”
Posted in ,