Session 2 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

3 BLAMELESS (1 THESS. 2:8-12)

listen for ways Paul described his and the other missionaries’ ministry.

8 We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you
not only the gospel of God but also our own lives,
because you had become dear to us.

9 For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers and sisters.
Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you,
we preached God’s gospel to you.
10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously,
and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers.
11 As you know, like a father with his own children,
12 we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you
to walk worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

REVIEW:

describe the example set by Paul, Silas, and Timothy.
Distribute a copy of Pack Item 13 (Handout: Timothy’s Ministry Assignments)
and use it to provide additional insight into the missionaries’ ministry.

ASK:

• Why was it important for Paul to remind his readers of how he and his coworkers had gone about their work while in Thessalonica? (p. 23)

EXPLORE:

Paul, Silas, and Timothy were committed
to empower others in the midst of the struggle,

Paul used three distinct words to describe their position.
encouraged, comforted, and implored in verse 12.

compare with the powerful dynamic of a parent-child relationship.

Ask:

• Which word speaks most clearly to you and why?

DEVELOP:

Key Doctrine: Evangelism and Missions (p. 23).
Invite two volunteers to read aloud
Psalm 67:2 and Acts 1:8.
identify how the content of these passages
parallels what the missionaries were doing in 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12.

Psalm 67:2 NASB

That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations.

Acts 1:8 NASB

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and even to the remotest part of the earth."

DISCUSS:

• What actions might a person embrace or relinquish in an effort
  to stand blameless in their commitment to their church family and to the gospel? (p. 23)

SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE

REVIEW:

Call attention to the session’s summary statement:

The gospel is to be boldly shared with compassion and grace.

CHALLENGE:

Focus on the second question set in Apply the Text:
Discuss with your group ways of fostering compassion within the group.
Identify actions the group needs to take to demonstrate compassion more effectively for others.
What standards might the group adopt to foster compassion and gentleness within the group without compromising the gospel? (p. 24).

PRAY:

Conclude the group time with prayer,
thanking God for the example of Paul, Silas, and Timothy.
Pray for God’s strength as the group works to become
more persistent, gentle, and blameless
in boldly sharing the gospel.

AFTER THE SESSION

Reinforce the session by asking other leaders in your class or group to help you identify reasons people sometimes give for not sharing the gospel. Discuss how this lesson addressed those concerns and how you can continue to reinforce these concepts in your group after this session.