1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
March 21, 2021
9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.
10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,
11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9
Love one another sounds like such a basic instruction, and yet communities that truly demonstrate Christ-like love are often hard to find. Why do you think this contradiction exists? What can Christians do to become more loving?
How do you personally deal with people in your life that are difficult to love?
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:10
What would it look like for you personally to grow in loving God’s family ‘more and more?’
Sometimes establishing safe and appropriate boundaries with others can come across to them as being unloving. Have you ever experienced this? How do we manage the tension between unconditional love and appropriate boundaries?
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Which of the instructions in these verses are easiest for you to obey? Which ones are particularly difficult for you?
How would your life look different this week if you put these verses into intentional practice every day?