Introduction:
There are parallels between growing physically and growing spiritually.
In I Thessalonians Paul notices the similarities between birth (chapter 1), crawling (Chapter 2), standing (Chapter 3) and walking (Chapters 4-5).
A maturing church will be very aware of this progression and will be committed to doing something about it.
The question the text raises today is,
“How do we establish one in the faith?”
“What can we do to help one another stand?”
In I Th. 3. Paul mentions four essential ingredients for one who is maturing in Christ.

Fellowship (vs. 1a, 5, 6, 10, 11)

Witnessing (vss. 1b-5)

Word (2:13, 3:10, 4:2, 4:15)

When reading a passage of Scripture ask the following questions:

S   Does this passage teach me sins to forsake? 
P   Are there promises for me to claim? 
E   Are there examples for me to follow?
C   Are there commands for me to heed? 
K   Is there knowledge about God for me to appropriate? 

Prayer (vss. 9-13)