PERSEVERANCE

Pastor Troy Jester
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
October 13-15, 2023

Encouragement during Persecution
Paul wrote the book of II Thessalonians to encourage those who were facing persecution in the Thessalonian church. How did he encourage them? He reminded them of God’s purpose in suffering. He reminded them of God’s character. He reminded them that one day all suffering would end. Finally, he let them know that he was always praying for them!

Knowing that

are inevitable should

Reveal Answer

how we

for each other

Powerful PRAYERS
Have you ever felt like your prayers were weak and didn’t achieve what you truly believed was for the good of the situation? In this passage, the apostle Paul prays a beautiful prayer for the Thessalonian believers and gives each of us an example of how we can pray for fellow believers.

We need to pray that fellow believers would find

their

in Jesus and His

Reveal Answer

for their lives

We need to pray that fellow believers would be given

by God to put their

into

Reveal Answer

We need to pray that fellow believer’s lives will

and

the name of Jesus Christ

Discussion Questions

The Purpose of Trials
Often when we see someone that we love struggling with difficulty or suffering, we are quick to pray that God would take it away. It is important to remember that God can use suffering for a greater purpose. James 1:2 says that we are consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds. The author gives the reason why in verses 3-4. How has God used trials in your life for a greater good and purpose?

What Things should we be Praying for?
Throughout the Bible, there are many verses that talk about the importance of prayer. God’s highest purposes happen through prayer. But for many of us, prayer can be a real struggle. Read the following passages and discuss as a group some principles from each passage that we can use as we grow in the practice of prayer.
Matthew 6:5-8, Matthew 6:9-13, I Thessalonians 5:16-18, Ephesians 6:17-18.

Prayers in the Epistles
The Apostle Paul, in many of his writings, prays some beautiful prayers for new believers in Jesus Christ. In the sermon this weekend, we focused on one of those prayers in II Thessalonians 1:11-12. These prayers are much different than what we would typically pray as we pray for other people. Read the following passages and discuss some of the things Paul specifically prayed for. Philippians 1:9-11, Ephesians 1:15-19, Ephesians 3:14-21, Colossians 1:9-12, II Thessalonians 3:1-5. How can you implement some of these prayers in your prayers for others?

Bringing Glory to God with our Lives
As Christians, our calling from God is to become like Christ (Romans 8:29). This, ultimately, is why we were created. This is a gradual, lifelong process that will be completed when we see Christ face to face (I John 3:2). To be “worthy” of this calling means to want to do what is right and good as Christ would. We aren’t perfect yet, but we can move in that direction as God works in us. In what ways can you glorify God with your life? Is there any area where you are being a bad testimony for the Lord?
One good test when facing a decision or temptation is to ask ourselves, “Will this bring God glory?” If the answer is no, don’t do it. Set a habit of routinely asking yourselves this question and live every day in light of the responsibility we have to glorify God in everything we do.