Session 10 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12
notice how Paul’s prayer in these verses reveals his heart of compassion
and love for the church at Thessalonica.
5 It is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment !`that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering, !`6 since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you
7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us. !`This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, !`8 when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God !`and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence !`and from his glorious strength !`10 on that day when he comes to be glorified by his saints !`and to be marveled at by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed.
Create three groups,
designating one to focus on verses 5-6,
one on verses 6-8,
and one on verses 9-10.
Direct the groups to review their assigned passages.
Call for them to create a summary statement of Paul’s main point in their assigned passage.
Invite a volunteer from each group to share their summary statement with the entire group.
Lead them to notice specifically that our suffering is not in vain,
God will take vengeance on those delivering persecution,
and those who do not know Him will face God’s justice when Christ returns.
Call attention to the Key Doctrine:
God’s Purpose of Grace (p. 89).
Invite volunteers to share how 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12 demonstrates this doctrine.
Read aloud or invite a volunteer to read aloud
2 Timothy 1:12 and 1 Peter 1:3-5.
Paul followed these words about hard times with a heartfelt prayer for the believers.