Live This Day #6 - With Clarity
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund
Part of Live This Day—September 7 - October 27, 2024
October 11, 2024

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Message Notes and Group Study Guide

Date: October 12-13, 2024
Speaker: Dr. Kurt Bjorklund
Series: Live This Day
Message: #6 - With Clarity
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Scripture

1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. —1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NIV)

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. —Matthew 24:36-44 (NIV)

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. —Matthew 24:4-8 (NIV)

Notes

Study Guide

Step One: Icebreaker (Optional)
What about the Fall Season do you look forward to and enjoy the most? What about the least?

Step Two: Open
Ask someone in your group to pray to open your time together. Ask another person to read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.

Step Three: Discuss

  1. From the Weekend Message (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11): What was most challenging, encouraging, confusing, or stood out most to you?

  2. The Hope of Christ’s Return (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2): Paul speaks of the “day of the Lord” coming unexpectedly. How does your understanding of the hope of Christ’s return shape your perspective on current events and personal challenges?

  3. Living as Children of Light (1 Thessalonians 5:5): In what ways does embodying the identity of “children of light” influence our life decisions and impact the way we share our lives with those around us?

  4. Awareness and Responsibility (1 Thessalonians 5:6): What does it mean to “not be like others, who are asleep”? How can a gospel-centered mindset help us remain alert and proactive in our communities, addressing spiritual and social needs?

  5. Armor Elements (Read 1 Thessalonians 5:8 & Ephesians 6:10-18): Paul mentions different elements of the Armor of God in both scriptures. How do these scriptures come together to equip us, strengthen our faith, and prepare believers for everyday situations or difficult seasons?

  6. The Power of Encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11): Paul emphasizes the importance of encouragement in the community, especially in a group setting like this. How does the gospel motivate us to uplift others? Can you share a time when encouragement made a significant difference in your life or someone else’s?

Step Four: Close in Prayer
Ask someone in your group to close in prayer, focusing on specific requests for people to find and follow Jesus.