Read 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. Reflect Who or what is your crowning glory and joy? Why? Is there anyone who might consider you their crowning glory and joy? A foundational belief of Christianity is in the triumphant return of Jesus Christ. In Revelation 22:12, Jesus promised: “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. Reflect Have you ever had to abruptly leave behind people that you love? What were the circumstances? Were you ever able to reunite with them? It is difficult to be separated from people who are special

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wr

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God which is at work in you believers. Reflect Who does Paul give credit to for the faith of the Thessalonians? Why do you think he did that? There is a lot of noise out there. It kind of feels like everyone is shouting their opinions all the time. Even when I try to w

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. Reflect Do you have a father figure (maybe your own father or another older gentleman) who urged you to grow in the Christian faith and live a godly life? Who is that person and how did he encourage and challenge you? In previous messages, we’ve already ta

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:9-10 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. Reflect What do you think motivated Paul, Silas, and Timothy to work so hard among the Thessalonians? Why were they willing to labor without compensation from them? Ministry is har

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.. Reflect Think of a Christian leader who had a strong influence on your faith. Were they more of a “bulldog” personality or gentle leader? You’ve probably heard the cliche: “There’s nothing like a mothe

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. Reflect If you could choose between fame and notoriety now in this world or eternal glory in heaven, what would you choose? Why? When the Gospel is preached in a stadium full of people and hundreds accept Christ as their Savior, who gets the glory? The preacher or God? When a church is filled to the brim week after week with peo

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:4-5 But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Reflect What can we learn from Paul and his coworkers about ethical missions ministries? Have you ever been buttered up by someone? Kids are especially good at this, aren’t they? I can usually tell when my k