1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
March 7, 2021
6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:6-7
Timothy returns and brings Paul an encouraging report about how the Thessalonians are doing. What specific things did Timothy report that Paul finds encouraging? What does that suggest about how we should go about discipling new believers in their faith?
Have you ever been encouraged in your own faith by observing the faith of somebody else? What did you see in their faith that you found encouraging or inspiring? Do you think it is possible to live out our faith in such a way that we are an encouragement to others without even knowing it? How might that happen?
Paul describes himself as encouraged in the midst of distress and persecution. What words would you use to describe yourself under stress and difficulty? How do you think Paul managed to find encouragement under those circumstances?
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:8-10
Paul commends them for standing firm in the Lord. What do you think that phrase means? What makes standing firm in the Lord difficult? What are the things you do that help you to stand firm?
What do you think Paul means by “supply what is lacking in your faith?”
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
Paul is praying for the people of Thessalonica. Which of those prayers would you most want somebody praying over you right now? Why?
The last verse states Paul’s desire for the people to be found holy and blameless when Jesus returns. What does he Paul actually pray for that he trusts will make that happen? What do you think that means? What strengthens your heart? Conversely, where in your life do you feel your heart might not be so strong?