Session 4 1 Thessalonians 3:4-13
identify specific elements of Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonian believers.
11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus,
direct our way to you.
12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone,
just as we do for you.
13 May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.
Guide the group to locate aspects of Paul’s focus,
especially love and holiness.
Direct the group to review the comments in the Day 4 and Day 5 Daily Exploration (pp. 42-43)
to gain a fuller understanding of love (v. 12)
and holiness (v. 13).
Direct the group to write Paul’s prayer in their own words in the margin of their book.
Invite volunteers to share their responses.
Lead the group to review the Bible Skill (p. 39).
Review Paul’s progression of emotions in the passage, using the three session points—
Distressed, Rejuvenated, Focused—as prompts.
Compare responses to the three bulleted statements under Apply the Text (p. 40).
Highlight and discuss the third question set under Apply the Text (p. 40):
As a group, pray for your church to experience growth in
fellowship, love, and holiness.
What actions can your group take to foster the growth of these three characteristics?
Conclude with a time of directed prayer,
thanking God for the way He changes hearts and lives.
Lead the group to ask God to help them encourage others to remain faithful to Christ
and to grow in love and holiness.
Reinforce the session by making a list of group members who need to be encouraged. With your leaders, conduct a time of prayer for them. Encourage each person to select names on the list for follow up during the week through prayer and action as God leads.