Calvary
Chapel Bible College
September
22, 2021
Homework
Let’s share our memory verse – one at a time.
(1
Thessalonians 3:12 NKJV) And may the Lord make you increase
and abound in love to one another and to all, just as
we do to you,
Did you come up with any nuggets to share as you’ve been chewing on this
verse this week?
How could this verse be used by you?
In one week I’m going to ask you to pick what
passage you want to do your “project” on – your five minute
devotional.
Introduction
Paul and his team had been in Philippi when they got into trouble by
casting a demon out of a fortune-telling slave girl.
They were beaten and thrown into jail overnight before being asked to leave
town.
They made their way west through Macedonia to the city of Thessalonica.
Thessalonica was the capital city of Macedonia – a major trade center and
seaport.
Thessalonica had a large Jewish synagogue.
Paul and Silas preached in the synagogue for three weeks before the Jewish
leaders turned on him.
Paul had seen many come to Christ, especially among the Gentiles, and the
Jewish leaders got jealous of Paul.
When they couldn’t find him, they took one of the other believers,
and had him beaten.
Paul and his team moved on to the city of Berea where they had fruitful
ministry until some of the Jews from Thessalonica showed up and stirred up
trouble for Paul. Paul then moved on to Athens, and eventually Corinth, where
he would write these letters to the Thessalonians.
It’s about AD 51.
3:1-5 Paul’s Concern
Notice the “pericope”
:1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be
left in Athens alone,
:2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow
laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning
your faith,
to be left – kataleipo – to leave behind
:1 when we could no longer endure it
endure – stego – deck, thatch; to cover over with
silence
from – stege – a roof: of a house
I think it’s the idea of “keeping a lid on something”.
Paul had been greatly concerned about the Thessalonians.
Paul could no longer “keep a lid” on his feelings for the Thessalonians and
did something about it.
What did Paul do?
He decided he’d go it alone in
Athens and send Silas and Timothy back to Thessalonica.
Sometimes you just “have” to do something.
:1 thought it good to be left in Athens alone
Paul wasn’t in Athens when he made the decision to send Silas and Timothy
to Thessalonica.
He actually made the decision while they were still
in Berea, before Paul left for Athens.
(Acts 17:13–15
NKJV) —13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God
was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. 14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but
both Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 So those who
conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they
departed.
fellow laborer – sunergos – a
companion in work, fellow worker
:2 sent Timothy … to establish you
establish – sterizo (“steroids”) – to make stable, fix; to
strengthen, make firm; to render constant
Lesson
Strength training
Keyword
The Greek word is only used 13 times in the New Testament, and four of
those times are in Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians (1Th.
3:2,13; 2Th.2:17; 3:3)
Paul had only been with the Thessalonians about a
month, and he was concerned about whether they were strong enough to face the
difficulties ahead of them.
Illustration
A seaman meets a pirate at Starbucks, and talk
turns to their adventures on the sea. The seaman notes that the pirate has a
peg-leg, a hook, and an eye patch. The seaman asks “So, how did you end up with
the peg-leg?” The pirate replies “We were in a storm at sea, and I was swept
overboard into a school of sharks. Just as me men were pulling me out, a shark
bit my leg off” “Wow!” said the seaman. “What about your hook”? “Well...”, replied the pirate, “We were boarding an enemy ship and were
battling the other sailors with swords. One of the enemy
cut me hand off.” “Incredible!” remarked the seaman. “How did you get the
eyepatch”? “A seagull dropping fell into me eye”, replied
the pirate. “You lost your eye to a seagull dropping?” the sailor asked
incredulously. “Well...”, said the pirate, “...it was me
first day with the hook.”
Just as the pirate was a little new at having a hook, the
Thessalonians were a little new at being Christians. They’ve been through some
tough times even from the start. Paul has been
concerned about how they were doing.
Here’s a couple of lessons about developing faith based on the passages
that all use sterizo.
This is a great way to understand
how words are used in the New Testament when you learn how to search for the
uses of a Greek word.
(maybe show the class how to do
this in Logos)
Exercise Faith
We get our word “steroids” from the word for “establish” – a word that
conjures up images of big muscles.
God wants us to have serious spiritual “muscles” when it
comes to living out our faith.
I find that when I go through a period of time
when I don’t exercise, my muscles lose strength.
My regular exercising each day
comes from walking. I usually walk about
three miles a day while I’m having my quiet time.
A few years ago, my doctor suggested that I do more than
just walk. He suggested that I do some
sort of strength training, or weights.
I pretty much blew him off, thinking that my walking was
enough.
Recently, I’ve decided I need to pay attention to my
doctors a little closer so I’ve started doing little
things like pushups, leg lifts, and squats.
Oh my. I could barely do three of
each when I started.
Muscles require use, they require exercise.
I need to keep exercising my faith if I want my faith to
grow and be strong enough to handle what’s up ahead.
When do I exercise my faith the most? When I go through difficult times, things I
don’t understand.
Do I really trust God?
Am I counting on Him?
Peter wrote,
(1
Peter 5:10 NKJV) But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by
Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen,
and settle you.
Peter prayed for “strength” (“establish”) for them in their
suffering.
Spirit Work
Paul wrote to the Romans, a church he had not yet visited …
(Romans
1:11 NKJV) For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual
gift, so that you may be established—
Paul tied the imparting of spiritual gifts (pneumatikos charisma) with being strengthened.
God wants to work through each of you in a supernatural
way, through the gifts of the Spirit.
The working of those gifts
strengthens you and those around you.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians:
(1
Corinthians 14:4 NKJV) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies
edifies the church.
“edifying” is one of the ways we “strengthen” ourselves.
It comes from using our spiritual gifts.
God wants you to have spiritual gifts, and He wants you to
use them.
Others
We have a role in strengthening each other.
Paul sent Timothy to “establish” (strengthen) the Thessalonians.
Jesus had warned Peter that he would deny Jesus, but…
(Luke
22:32 NKJV) But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and
when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
One of the ways we strengthen each other is through
sharing our own failures. Peter would
fail when he denied knowing Jesus, and he would need to come back (return) and
share that with the others.
Sometimes we are ashamed to admit that we’ve failed in
things.
A parent might be reluctant to share with their children
the failures in their past.
Yet when you’ve “returned” like Peter would, these are
things that strengthen others when they see how you’ve turned things around.
Do you see how valuable it is to do “word studies” with the original
language? It gives you a greater depth into the use of words.
:2 encourage you concerning your faith
Timothy was sent to establish, but also to encourage.
encourage – parakaleo – to call to one’s side; exhortation,
entreaty, comfort, instruction, admonish, exhort
This is a very common word, used 108 times in the NT.
Lesson
Encouragement
Here are a few examples of how Paul “encouraged” people:
To the Romans:
(Romans 12:1–2
NKJV) —1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is
your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God.
Paul encouraged them to give themselves completely to God.
To the Corinthians:
(1 Corinthians 1:10
NLT) I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our
Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no
divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.
Paul encouraged them to learn to get along with each
other.
We need to have people in our lives who will encourage us:
(Hebrews 3:12–13
NKJV) —12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while
it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin.
We need people in our lives who can nudge us in the right
direction, like Paul did in his letters and Timothy did with his visit.
We might think of “encouraging” others as helping them to feel better. Yet Paul encouraged people by urging them to
follow Jesus more closely.
:3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves
know that we are appointed to this.
shaken – saino – to wag the tail (like a dog);
metaph.; to move (the mind of one); to agitate, disturb, trouble
:3 shaken by these afflictions
afflictions – thlipsis – a pressing, pressing together,
pressure; metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress
from – thlibo – to press (as grapes), press hard
upon; metaph. to trouble, afflict, distress
Stomping on grapes might be fun for those who are doing it, but it’s not
fun for the grapes.
You and I are the grapes. thlipsis isn’t fun.
Paul is worried about how the Thessalonians are doing in the grape vat.
This was part of Timothy’s encouragement to the Thessalonians … to tell
them that …
:3 we are appointed to this
appointed – keimai – to lie (like “lie down”); metaph.; to
be (by God’s intent) set, i.e. destined, appointed
Afflictions aren’t some sort of cosmic accident where something troubling
sneaks past God and makes our life difficulty.
Affliction is part of being a Christian.
:4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would
suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.
:4 we told you before when we were with you
told you before – prolego – to say
beforehand, to predict
Paul is saying that he literally “predicted” this.
we would – mello – to be about; to be on the point of
doing or suffering something; to intend, have in mind, think to
suffer tribulation – thlibo – to press
(as grapes), press hard upon; metaph. to trouble, afflict, distress
:4 we would suffer tribulation
The word for “tribulation” is the verb form of “affliction”. thlibo
Paul had warned the Thessalonians from the very beginning that being a
Christian was not an easy thing.
Paul had “predicted” it for the Thessalonians (“told you before”)
The Thessalonians weren’t the only ones to hear this message about
suffering.
Earlier, on Paul’s first missionary journey, he and Barnabas were traveling
through the Galatian region, and God was doing amazing things. Paul also got into trouble, was stoned, and
left for dead. Later Paul went back to
those same churches…
(Acts 14:21–22
NKJV) —21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many
disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening
the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and
saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Paul wasn’t saying that we go to heaven by suffering. He was saying that difficulties and
afflictions were going to be on the path we walk as Christians.
Lesson
Suffering is normal
From time to time we get caught off guard when
difficult times hit us, but we really shouldn’t be surprised.
Peter wrote,
(1 Peter 4:12 NLT) Dear
friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if
something strange were happening to you.
Paul tied the suffering of Christians with how close their walk was with
Jesus. Listen
what he told Timothy in his latter years:
(2 Timothy 3:10–12
NKJV) —10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life,
purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions,
afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what
persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered
me. 12 Yes, and all
who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
If you are taking your relationship with Jesus seriously,
you will experience difficult times.
Don’t think that the stronger you are as a Christian, the
easier your life gets. It’s just the
opposite.
We often wish we could prevent people from going through difficult times.
A parent who constantly holds their little one’s hand to keep them from
falling will find that their child won’t learn to walk properly.
Scrapes and bruises are a part of growing up.
Paul wrote,
(Romans 5:3–4 NKJV)
—3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and
character, hope.
You don’t develop character and hope without tribulation,
without difficulties.
:5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your
faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you,
and our labor might be in vain.
:5 when I could no longer endure it
endure – stego – deck, thatch; to cover over with
silence
Same word used in vs. 1
Paul could no longer “keep a lid on it”
:5 the tempter had tempted you
Paul was worried that the Thessalonians might have been so troubled that
they had given up their faith in Jesus.
tempter … tempted – peirazo – to try
whether a thing can be done; to test; to solicit to sin, to tempt
This word is a tricky one. It’s not
a “always bad” word, nor is it an “always good” word.
It can be translated “test” in the sense that God might be “testing” use to
see what our faith is made of.
(Hebrews 11:17
NKJV) By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who
had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
It is more often translated “tempt” to describe Satan or our flesh tempting
us to do the wrong thing, such as when Jesus was tempted by Satan:
(Luke 4:2a NKJV) being tempted
for forty days by the devil.
Lesson
Satan takes advantage
God will use our difficult times to test and purify us.
Yet Satan wants to take advantage of our difficult times to tempt us to
walk away from God.
How will I respond to difficulty?
As a test? Or time
to bail?
Jackie Robinson is now a legend.
He’s a legend because of how he broke the “color barrier” in
baseball. Now once a year every MLB
player wears the number “42” to remember the courage of Jackie Robinson.
But it wasn’t easy. Racial tensions
were high when Dodger executive Branch Rickey chose Jackie in 1945 to be the
first black man to play on a major league team.
He didn’t choose Jackie because of his playing skills (which were
great), but because of his personality.
Play Video: 42 –
Fine Gentleman and a Great Baseball Player
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93PKVxXF3i8
You see how Jackie did when he played
Play Video: 42 – Get Me Up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upeKFdDWk4I
I like that last line, “The game’s too important”.
That ought to be in our heads when we are facing difficult
times.
The game of life is too important to mess up in our
response to difficulty.
3:6-10 Timothy’s Report
:6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news
of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance
of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you—
greatly desiring – epipotheo – to
long for, desire; to pursue with love, to long after
:7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and
distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.
:6 brought us good news of your faith and love
Paul was greatly relieved when Timothy came back from his time with the
Thessalonians and found out that they were not only surviving their difficult
times, but they even had positive memories about Paul and his visit.
They weren’t blaming Paul for their troubles.
That was really, really good news to Paul.
brought us good news – euaggelizo (“evangelize”)
– to bring good news, to announce glad tidings.
We get our word “evangelize” and “evangelism” from this word.
Paul isn’t talking about “gospel evangelism” here, but the good news that
the Thessalonians were doing okay.
We often think of evangelism as that horrible thing we don’t like to do,
sharing our faith with others so they can mock us.
Others consider evangelism that moment where you tell someone they’re going
to hell unless they repent.
In truth, evangelism is about sharing “good news”. Really good news.
What is that good news that we are to share? (discuss it)
God has plans for us.
That God cares about us.
That Jesus died to pay for our sins.
That Jesus has changed our lives.
:7 in all our affliction and distress we were comforted
comforted – parakaleo – to call to one’s side, call for,
summon; to address, speak to, (call to, call upon),
which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction,
etc.; to admonish, exhort; to instruct, teach
affliction – thlipsis – a pressing, pressing together,
pressure; metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits
distress – anagke – necessity, imposed either by the
circumstances, or by law of duty regarding to one’s advantage, custom, argument; calamity, distress, straits
Lesson
The value of Fellowship
Just like the Thessalonians, Paul had his own measure of affliction and
difficulties.
Paul found comfort (encouragement) by hearing how the Thessalonians were
doing.
This is what fellowship is all about.
Having a loving connection with others and sharing life together, being
encouraged by how others are doing.
It’s the thought that, “If you can do it, so can I”.
Here’s a video we put together for our church’s small groups.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMrmBoiBuyE
Are you involved in a small group at your church?
Our classes in the Bible College can sort of function like that, but they
aren’t very long lasting.
Do you have other believers in your life that you can share life with?
:8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
:8 we live, if you stand fast
we live – zao – to live, breathe, be among the living
(not lifeless, not dead); to enjoy real life; metaph. to be in full vigor
stand fast – steko – to stand firm; to persevere, to
persist; to keep one’s standing
Paul is just thrilled to hear that the Thessalonians are persevering in
their faith despite their difficulties.
He’s got a renewed sense of “vigor” from hearing about them persevering.
:9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which
we rejoice for your sake before our God,
render – antapodidomi – in a good sense, to repay, requite.
Paul saw it necessary to give God some kind of “pay back” for having taken
care of the church.
:10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect
what is lacking in your faith?
perfect – katartizo – to render, i.e. to fit, sound,
complete; to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair; to complete; to
fit out, equip, put in order, arrange, adjust
lacking – husterema – deficiency, that which is lacking; in reference to property and resources, poverty,
want, destitution
:10 night and day praying exceedingly
Lesson
Strong Prayer
praying – deomai – to want, lack; to desire, long for;
to ask, beg
It’s prayer based on need.
This isn’t some simple repetitive prayer that Paul learned as a child.
He’s been begging God for the things he sees are needed in
the lives of the Thessalonians.
exceedingly – perissos – over and above, more than is
necessary
Paul has had this sense of urgency for the Thessalonians and as a result he
has been regularly praying for them, both day and night.
Paul has been praying that he would get to see
them again and be able to spend time building them up.
Then when Timothy came back with the report that the Thessalonians were
doing quite well, Paul was completely overblown with joy and gratitude toward
what God had been doing.
Who are you praying for?
Are there people in your life that you are committed to in such a way that
you are praying regularly for them, begging God to work, praying night and day?
I think God wants us to cultivate that kind of prayer life for each other.
It starts with having people you care about.
It grows by knowing what to pray about for them, knowing
what they are lacking, what they really need.
Your personal ministry at church will take a leap forward when you learn to
pray for the things that people share with you.
When someone asks you for prayer, pray for them right there, but
also write it down.
Have a prayer list that you pray for every day.
The next time you see that person, you will want to know how that issue is
going in their life.
And most people are blown away that someone actually
remembered to pray for them.
Paul wasn’t the only guy to pray like this.
(Colossians 4:12
NKJV) Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets
you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect
and complete in all the will of God.
When Paul was writing to the Corinthians, he was having to deal with the
issue of false apostles who were boasting about how much greater they were than
Paul. Paul responded with a little
boasting of his own – boasting that gives us insight as to what ministry is all
about:
(2 Corinthians
11:24–29 NKJV) —24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
25 Three times
I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a
night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of
robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the
Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in
perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness
and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings
often, in cold and nakedness—
Ministry is all about being willing to face difficulties
if it means being used by Jesus. But
that’s not really the heart of ministry, Paul goes on…
28 besides the
other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak,
and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with
indignation?
Over the years I’ve come to believe that this daily
concern for the churches was more difficult for Paul than shipwrecks or
beatings.
What did Paul do with this “deep concern”? He prayed.
So what were some of the things that Paul prayed
for concerning the Thessalonians?
3:11-13 Paul’s Prayer
:11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct
our way to you.
direct – kateuthuno – to make straight, guide, direct; of
the removal of the hindrances to coming to one
This is part of Paul’s prayer to God for the Thessalonians.
He wants to be able to see them again.
:12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,
:12 make you increase and abound in love
love – agape – affection,
good will, love, benevolence
This is that special kind of love that God has for us.
This is that “For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son” kind of love.
It’s not a love based on emotions,
but based on a choice to value someone else.
It’s an unconditional love that is characterized by doing good towards the
other person.
How does Paul pray that agape love would be at work? He wants it to…
increase – pleonazo – to super-abound; to exist in
abundance
abound – perisseuo – to exceed a fixed number of measure, to be left over and above a certain number or
measure
Both of these verbs are in the “optative” mood,
meaning that this is Paul’s “wish” or “prayer”.
Paul’s own love for them is increasing and abounding towards them (just
as we do to you), and Paul prays that their love for one another would do
the same… but all to produce a desired effect…
Perhaps if you are asking God for a person to grow in agape, you
might want to be sure that you have agape for them.
:13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our
God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
blameless – amemptos – blameless, deserving no censure, free
from fault or defect
:13 that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness
establish – sterizo (“steroids”) – to make stable, fix; to
strengthen, make firm; to render constant
This is the same word used in verse 2, where Paul sent Timothy to
“establish” them in their faith.
The stability that Paul is looking for is the stability that comes from
holiness, purity, being right with God.
When Jesus returns, you won’t have anything to be afraid of.
Not all of God’s servants will be in a good place when Jesus returns. Jesus said,
(Matthew 24:45–51
NKJV) —45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made
ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is
that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I
say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that
evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins
to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master
of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at
an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the
hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned the same thing:
(Matthew 7:21–23
NKJV) —21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom
of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in
Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I
never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Doesn’t it seem strange that someone could “prophesy”,
“cast out demons”, and do “wonders” and yet the Lord doesn’t know them?
Jesus said they practice “lawlessness”, which is pretty
much the opposite of “holiness”
A real connection with Jesus produces a desire to live a
holy, pure life.
holiness – hagiosune – majesty, holiness; moral purity
The root of this word is hagios, which
means “holy”, something set apart for a specific use, something set apart for
God’s use.
If you haven’t noticed it yet, holiness isn’t an option for the
believer. It’s God’s will.
We will see a connection with this when we get into chapter 4.
Lesson
Love leads to holiness
Keyword
Paul’s prayer in vs. 12 was that God would help them to increase in their agape towards one another, with the
result being hearts that are blameless in holiness.
In today’s world, the word “love” is often too quickly connected to sex,
and often with sex outside of marriage.
That kind of “love” would be more properly connected to the Greek word eros,
not the word agape.
Loving (agape) each other properly isn’t just about making people
feel good about themselves.
Loving others doesn’t mean we don’t say something when a loved one is
heading into danger.
Paul expected that overflowing agape
would lead to hearts getting right with God.
If we really love one another, shouldn’t there be a time when we speak up
and say something?
Real love means that we will need to challenge each other from time to time
– lovingly.
Saying something like, “Maybe it’s not a good idea for you
to be eating poop brownies?”
Pericope Project
How would you title these paragraphs?
3:1-5 (Paul’s Concern)
3:6-10 (Timothy’s Report)
3:11-13 (Paul’s Prayer)
Homework
Read both 1&2Thessalonians in NLT
Memorize 1Thess. 3:13 (the verse after last week’s)
(1
Thessalonians 3:12 NKJV) And may the Lord make you increase
and abound in love to one another and to all, just as
we do to you,
(1
Thessalonians 3:13 NKJV) so that He may establish your hearts
blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ with all His saints.
Be ready to recite it in class next week.
Memorize it early so you can chew on it during the week.
Go to our class’s “test” section
Share a prayer request
Take the Quick Quiz for you.
In one week I’ll ask you to pick your passage to
do your short devotional on.
Keywords
What was the first “keyword”?
a.
Strength Training
b.
Run from
your problems
c.
Work harder
What was the second “keyword”?
a.
Love leads to holiness
b.
Love is more important than
holiness
c.
Holiness is better than love
Was there something from today’s lesson that you can apply to your life
TODAY?