Church Planting – Reach a Higher Altitude

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?

1 Thessalonians 2:1-9

Do you remember how it feels when someone says something about you that isn't true?  It creates unbelievable churn!  As Paul continues writing to the Thessalonian church we can sense a Pauline churn of unbelievable proportions.

2:1-2 = Paul, Timothy, and Silas were accused of being quitters - their ministry would die

2:3-6 = They were accused of being first-century con artists

• "from error" - source was deceit
• "impure motives" - moral impurity
• "trickery" - a fishing term; church had been lured and hooked
• "flattery" - smooth talkers
• "masking" - hiding their real motives
• "looking for praise" - glory hounds

WOW!  Can you imagine the emotions when Paul, Timothy, and Silas hear this stuff?  What would you feel?  More importantly, what would you do?  How did Paul respond?

(1)  Remember the truth

Examine the number of times Paul used the phrase, "you know" or something similar (see vss 1,2,5,9,10,11).  Paul is reminding them - since they were there and involved - to remember the truth!

(2)  What is the truth they were to remember?

• vs 2 = "with the help of our God" - dependence on God
• vs 4 = "...but God who tests our hearts..." - test your motives
• vs 8 = "we loved you" - hold nothing back

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(1)  What are others saying about your faith?

(2)  Consider this phrase:  "If people don't see anything, they won't say anything."  Is this true?

(3)  In 2:3 Paul wrote, "...we dared to" or "we had the courage to."  What is courage?  What do you need courage for?  What causes a person to wrestle with faith and courage?

1 Thessalonians 1:5-10

It's just a fact of life:  we all imitate.  We imitate somone we see, something they say, or something they own.  The question is:  Why do we imitate others?  To be like them!  We have the expectation that imitating others will make a difference in our lives and/or add value to our lives.

1:6 =  "You became imitators of us and of the Lord."

(1)  What did they imitate?  (see vss 2-3)

(2)  Who did the church imitate?  Paul, Silas, and Timothy  (church planters)

(3)  What was the added value to the church?  Severe suffering with joy!

1:7 =  The imitators became the imitated.  The Thessalonian church became a pattern community of believers.  NOTICE:  This is the ONLY place - the ONLY church - Paul makes the point that the Thessalonian church is the pattern for other churches.

1:8 =   "Your faith in God has become known everywhere"

Throughout the New Testament the characteristic mark of God's people is their faith - their dependence on Jesus Christ alone for everything.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(1)  Who are you imitating?  Relate this question to your personal life, marriage, parenting, as a couple, etc.)

(2)  Why are you imitating ________?

(3)  Who imitates you?  Who imitates your faith?

(4)  What is needed for your church to become a model for other churches?

1 Thessalonians

I don't know how many time I have read 1 Thessalonians.  It has become one of my favorite books of the Bible.  Three church planters (Paul, Silas, Timothy) are related to this church and city through some incredibly rich relationships and experiences.

Read the five chapters without stopping to analyze, exegete, dissect, word study, or any other activity of our trade.  When you complete your reading ponder this question:  What was so special about this church?  I think your answers will deepen your love not only for the Thessalonian church, but also for your church.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

• 1:1 = Three church planters - where did they come from?  (See Acts 16-17)
• 1:2 =  Prayer life of the church plant team
• 1:3 = Results of ministry through the church; notice the use of faith, love, and hope.  By the way, 1 Thessalonians was written from Corinth.

Time could be spent on the following progressions:  work produced by faith; labor prompted by love; endurance inspired by hope.

Questions for small-group discussion:

1. What is the difference between "work produced by faith" and "faith produced by work?"
2. Are other motives present which may prompt our labor in and for God?  If so, are the motives healthy?  How do these motives influence your labor?
3. What keeps you going for Christ?  Does your hope enable your dreams to exceed your reality?
4. Every sermon and Bible study can be shaped by asking two questions:  So what?  Now what?