1 Thessalonians 2:10-12
I was driving recently in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (Canada). I know the locals knew their way around, but I needed street signs. Some streets were marked and others were not. Needless to say, I spent quite a bit of time searching for places while looking like a tourist!
If we don't search for a few signs in 1 Thessalonians 2:12 we may miss what Paul is wanting the church to see. Notice . . .
2:4 = "on the contrary. . ." = don't forget the churn of emotions from the last study
But Paul never loses sight of his purpose in ministry: "We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel." Paul, Silas, and Timothy knew they were trusted by God - a reliance - to handle the message and the profession (vss 4-6).
Paul switches metaphors from mother-child (2:7-8) to father-child (2:11). Why? The father was responsible for teaching - educating - the children. Teaching what? Read 2:10-12 again.
(1) Teach the high demands of following Jesus Christ (2:10): holy, righteous, and blameless. Don't let life's circumstances cause you to "lower the bar" in Christian behavior.
(2) Teach how to live lives worthy of God (2:12): encouraging, comforting, and urging.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(1) Where is "the bar" set in your "live lives worthy of God" responsibility?
(2) What are some personal areas in which you need to raise the bar?
(3) How can you encourage, comfort, and urge others to live lives worthy of God?
(4) How can others do the same for you?
