Session 9 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

ACCOUNTABLE (1 THESS. 5:14-22)

notice how Paul describes accountability
within one’s church family, with one’s personal walk, and within one’s personal growth.

14 And we exhort you, brothers and sisters:
warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged,
help the weak, be patient with everyone.
15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone,
but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

16 Rejoice always,
17 pray constantly,
18 give thanks in everything;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Don’t stifle the Spirit.
20 Don’t despise prophecies,
21 but test all things. Hold on to what is good.
22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

Ask:

• What does it mean to be accountable?
• How does personal accountability compare with accountability with others?

IDENTIFY:

locate the commands in verses 14-15.

• warn those who are idle,
• comfort the discouraged,
• help the weak,
• be patient with everyone.
• no one repays evil for evil to anyone,
• always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

EXAMINE:

summarize Paul’s guidance to those who are struggling in life

or who are physically ill.

focus on commands for the entire church family, not just those who are struggling.

Discuss:

• What makes being patient with other believers such a challenge? (p. 79)

CLARIFY:

locate three actions in verses 16-18.

• Rejoice always,
• pray constantly,
• give thanks in everything;

Note that Paul did not put any conditions on these commands—
to do them only when they felt like it or when circumstances allowed.
Instead, he called them to a holy lifestyle as God’s will.

Ask:

• How does a person’s private prayer life impact the prayer life of a local church?
• How does the prayer life of the local church impact a believer’s personal prayer life? (p. 79)

IDENTIFY:

Lead the group to locate the additional commands in verses 19-22.

• Don’t stifle the Spirit.
• Don’t despise prophecies,
• test all things.
• Hold on to what is good.
• Stay away from every kind of evil.

Note that two commands provided warnings of what not to do and three provided encouragement of what to do.

Discuss:

• What role does the church play in holding others accountable for remaining faithful to God’s truth? (p. 79)

TRANSITION:

Paul closed his letter with a blessing,
expressing his desire to see the Thessalonian believers sanctified.