Session 3 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
listen for ways the gospel message was received.
13 This is why we constantly thank God,
because when you received the word of God that you heard from us,
you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is,
the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.
14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches
in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, since you have also suffered the same things
from people of your own country, just as they did from the Jews
Notice two words in verse 13:
received and works.
received shows a personal action taken by many
to personally embrace the message that was presented.
It also shows that the believers’ receiving of God’s Word was a daily occurrence.
works means to engage in a continual activity,
to use one’s energy and resources on a continual basis.
Direct the group to read 1 Thessalonians 2:14
circle the word imitators.
Explain that the church family was following Christ’s example,
rather than the examples of Paul and the missionaries.
Modeling their actions after those of the Savior
added to the unity found within the larger body of believers.
In contrast to the Thessalonians’ reception of the gospel,
Paul pointed to the Jews who rejected the gospel
and sought to keep the message from being shared with the Gentiles.