Opening Prayer

Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your time together.

Review Group Member Commitments (explain any as needed):

1. We do our part to create a safe environment.
2. We listen to each other.
3. We commit to share our lives with one another.
4. We direct each other to God for the solutions to our problems.
5. We resolve conflict.

Review from Last Week

• Did last week’s discussion impact how you live in any way?
  

Hook into God’s Word

• What are some of the differences between our definitions of justice and God’s definition of justice?
  
• Ask someone in the group to read 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12.
  

Digging Into Thessalonians

1. Why do you think “God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you”?
2. Why does Paul mention “relief”? Isn’t repaying their tormenters enough?
3. What does the return of Jesus look like for unbelievers?
4. What does the return of Jesus look like for believers?
5. What do you think verse 12 means when it says that “our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him”?

A Companion Story

• Ask someone in the group to read Luke 16:19-31.
  

1. Do you find more in common with the unnamed rich man or Lazarus? Why?
2. Why is it so hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven?
3. Do you think the rich man was repentant when he called out to Abraham? Why or why not?
4. Why do you think even a resurrection would not proof enough for those who “do not listen to Moses and the Prophets”?

Application Questions*:

1. Who are some people you know who “do not know God” or “obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus”?
2. How does Paul’s prayer in 2 Thess. 1:11-12 compare to the prayers you typically pray?

Closing Prayer

• Share prayer requests and pray for each other.
  

Preparation for Next Week

• Passage for next week: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
  

*feel free pick and choose or to add your own questions

Opening Prayer

Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your time together.

Review Group Member Commitments (explain any as needed):

1. We do our part to create a safe environment.
2. We listen to each other.
3. We commit to share our lives with one another.
4. We direct each other to God for the solutions to our problems.
5. We resolve conflict.

Hook into God’s Word

• What are some things that make you proud of your kids?
  
• Ask someone in the group to read 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5.
  

Digging Into Thessalonians

1. What are the two things about the Thessalonian church that Paul gives thanks to God for and boasts about in other churches? 
2. What does it take for faith to grow abundantly?
3. What helps our love for one another increase?
4. How does our steadfast faith in times of suffering persecution show God’s righteous judgement?
5. How might we be considered worthy of God’s kingdom?

A Companion Story

• Ask someone in the group to read Matthew 25:31-46.
  

1. Who are the two types of people described in this passage? 
2. Do a comparison of the things that describe each group.
3. How does our treatment of “the least of these” show our true character?

Application Questions*:

1. Just like Paul modeled here in verses 3-4 it is a very good practice to thank God for each other when we see each other’s faith growing and love for each other increasing. Take some time before sharing prayer requests to share ways you see God working in each other’s lives. Give specific examples of faith growing or love increasing in the lives of each individual in your group.

Closing Prayer

• Share prayer requests and pray for each other.
  

Preparation for Next Week

• Passage for next week: 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12

*feel free pick and choose or to add your own questions

Opening Prayer

Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your time together.

Review Group Member Commitments (explain any as needed):

1. We do our part to create a safe environment.
2. We listen to each other.
3. We commit to share our lives with one another.
4. We direct each other to God for the solutions to our problems.
5. We resolve conflict.

Review from Last Week

• Did last week’s discussion impact how you live in any way?
  

Hook into God’s Word

• Have you ever felt let down by the people who you expected to support you the most? How so?
  
• Ask someone in the group to read 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20.
  

Digging Into Thessalonians

1. Is there something that you find yourself constantly thanking God for?
2. What do you think it means that “the word of God is at work in you”? (v. 13)
3. What are some ways we imitate other churches today? How does it compare with what Paul talks about in verse 14?
4. Is there anything that surprises you in this passage?

A Companion Story

• Ask someone in the group to read Matthew 16:13-23
  

1. What do you think led up to Peter’s strong belief that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah)?
2. Why do you think Peter was so repulsed by Jesus’ description of all the suffering he would endure?

Application Questions*:

1. How do you typically respond to problems/suffering in your life?
2. Does your boasting tend to look like Paul’s (see 1 Thess. 2:19)? Why or why not?

Closing Prayer

• Share prayer requests and pray for each other.
  

Opening Prayer

Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your time together.

Review Group Member Commitments (explain any as needed):

1. We do our part to create a safe environment.
2. We listen to each other.
3. We commit to share our lives with one another.
4. We direct each other to God for the solutions to our problems.
5. We resolve conflict.

Review from Last Week

• Did last week’s discussion impact how you live in any way?
  

Hook into God’s Word

• Did you feel closer to your mom or dad growing up? Why do you think that was?
  
• Ask someone in the group to read the passage for the week

Digging Into Thessalonians

1. What aspects of helping someone grow in their faith are similar to mother/infant relationship?
2. What aspects of helping someone grow in their faith are similar to father/child relationship?
3. Why do you think Paul is so adamant about not being a burden on the Thessalonians?
4. What is a spiritual parent’s #1 goal? (See verse 12)

A Companion Story

• Ask someone in the group to read Matthew 12:46-50
  

1. How would you feel if your close relative seemed too busy to spend time with you?
2. What do you think Jesus meant by saying his disciples were his brothers, sisters, and mother?
3. Do you tend to prioritize immediate family or church family?

Application Questions*:

1. Who has helped you grow in your faith? What were some things you learned from them?
2. Are you a spiritual parent to someone? Is there someone you can be a spiritual parent to?

Closing Prayer

• Share prayer requests and pray for each other.
  

Opening Prayer

Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your time together.

Review Group Member Commitments (explain any as needed):

1. We do our part to create a safe environment.
2. We listen to each other.
3. We commit to share our lives with one another.
4. We direct each other to God for the solutions to our problems.
5. We resolve conflict.

Review from Last Week

• Did last week’s discussion impact how you live in any way?
  

Hook into God’s Word

• Have you ever felt like you did something for God that felt like a fail in the moment? Does it still seem that way?
  
• Ask someone in the group to read the passage for the week
  

Digging Into Thessalonians

1. What do you think Paul’s opposition was saying about him?
2. What does it mean to be approved by God?
3. What does it mean to be entrusted with the Gospel?
4. Do you think people today might share Christianity with the negative motivations listed in verses 3-6?

A Companion Story (Acts 17:1-10)

• Ask someone in the group to read Acts 17:1-10
  

1. Why (in your own words) was it necessary for Jesus to suffer and rise from the dead?
2. Why do you think the Jews were jealous of Paul and Silas?
3. How do you think Paul and Silas felt as they left Thessalonica?

Application Questions*:

1. Have you ever been tempted to tweak the Gospel in word or deed for reasons similar to the list in       1 Thess. 2:3-6? Why?
2. You are entrusted with the Gospel. Who in your life needs to hear the Good News of the Gospel?

Closing Prayer

• Share prayer requests and pray for each other.