CONNECT: What are some practical ways we can rejoice in, encourage, and pray for one another as we commit to maturing as disciples of Jesus this week?

WARM-UP Questions

1. Why do you think our culture elevates the idea of living lives to please ourselves?
2. What can be the unhealthy ways in which we obsessively live to please others?

READ 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2

1. What is so counter-cultural about living to please God instead of ourselves or other people?
2. If the Thessalonians were already living in such a way, why was Paul urging and asking them to do even more? Does this mean that God is never satisfied with us?
3. On what authority does Paul make this appeal to the Thessalonians? Is that same true for us?
4. What is the difference between being confident in salvation and the process of sanctification?
5. What is meant by living in ‘holiness’? How does this point both to what Jesus has done and all that we will be when he returns?

READ 1 Thessalonians 4:3-12

1. Why was Paul so concerned about the Thessalonians’ avoiding sexual immorality? Are there any similarities between their highly sexualised culture and ours?
2. What does Paul mean by bringing the body under control? Why should we do it?
3. What is meant by ‘taking advantage of a brother or sister’? How does sexual immorality hurt people?
4. What do you think are the main dangers for us? Is there a risk of a ‘private paganism’?
5. What is meant by the brotherly love that the Thessalonians showed one another?
6. What would it look like for us to be famous for the way in which we love one another?
7. As Paul addresses the topic of work, why were some of the Thessalonian Christians seemingly abandoning their steady jobs? How would this have hurt the community?
8. Why is it evident that Paul is addressing people who do not want to work rather than those who cannot find work or are unable to work? Why is that important to understand?
9. What do you think Paul has in mind when he says that their daily life (through work) would win the respect of outsiders? How might that be true for us too?

APPLY This Week: What is one aspect of your life (especially considering the topics covered this week) that you can orientate more to please God?

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For Families

• ‘Listening to God’ from the Bible Project (a word study on listening to God)
• ‘For teenagers ‘6 Things to look for in a partner’ by Hannah Ellenwood
  

Audio

• ‘Work’ by Timothy Keller
• ‘4. Living to Please God’ by Hugh Palmer
• ‘Term 2, Week 4: Sanctification – Do this More and More’ by Ken Noakes
• ‘Living to honour God’ by Peter Carolane
• ‘Sex, Love & Life’ by Dominic Steele
• ‘The Return of Christ’ by Ray Vassallo
• ‘Chastity – Victorian or Christian?’ by Michael Lawson
• ‘Living in the World: Sexual Ethics’ by Sandy Wilson

Helpful Books and Articles

• ‘1 & 2 Thessalonians – Tyndale New Testament Commentary’ by Leon Morris
• ‘7. The Call to Holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12)’ by J. Hampton Keathley
• ‘F.L.E.E. – A strategy for Sexual Purity’ by Trent Hunter

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