This Life Group season runs from February 8-March 21, 2025.
The themes from this week’s sermon were strength and encouragement (1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5).
- In 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4, Paul states that he had warned the church of trials and persecution because they follow Jesus. In your walk with Jesus, how often do you think about the trials that come as a result of being a disciple?
- How natural is it to look up to God for strength in those times of trial?
- The pressures and problems we face as believers are not new, they’ve always been around. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24, Paul provides a great summary of how disciples should face the issues we confront. Read that passage, then answer this question: Sometimes people get discouraged when things go wrong, what does Paul advise we do in such cases?
- What is the connection between joy (16), prayer (17), and thanks (18)?
- The action on joy is “always”. The action for prayer is “continually”. The action for thanks is “in all circumstances”. While your translation may have different verbs, they mean the same thing. How are these actions possible? Who has modeled this well in your life? How did they model it?
- Included in Paul’s final admonition is the reality that disciples are not alone! It is the church that is rejoicing always, praying continually, giving thanks – and not quenching the Spirit. That’s the plan anyway. How have you been strengthened in these areas by being part of the local church? How can you be part of encouraging others in these areas?