Labour of Love II

We all need to know that we belong and that our lives matter. We spend great energy on belonging and on achieving significance, but this can become exhausting. The only sense of belonging and purpose which brings peace, is knowing that we belong to God and that He is working out His eternal purpose through our lives. So how can we know that God has chosen us? How can we be sure that we belong to Him and have a valuable and enduring purpose? The first chapter of the letter to the Thessalonians comforts and encourages those who ask this question.

Scripture Reading

1 Thessalonians 1:4-10 ESV  For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,  [5]  because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.  [6]  And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,  [7]  so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.  [8]  For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.  [9]  For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,  [10]  and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Bible Study Questions

• In 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 the Church was commended for three virtues. Paul mentions these virtues in a number of his letters, and continues to structure his writing around them in today’s reading. What are the three virtues?

• The first encouragement Paul gives to the suffering Thessalonian Church, is to remember that they are loved and chosen by God. Do we choose God or must He choose us first? (John 15:16, John 6:44)

• The Church didn’t just receive the Word of God as an interesting or engaging message, but rather it was accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit. What did the Holy Spirit do in addition to convincing them? (1 Thessalonians 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:3-5)

• In 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 the labour of love of the people of the Church was to imitate the Apostles. Others far afield heard of this faithful response and wanted to imitate the Church of Thessalonica. Who is the root and source of the behaviour that faithful Christians should be imitating? (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 11:1)

• What was the primary work of faith of the Church, what did they do in accordance with what they believed? (1 Thessalonians 1:9)

• The Church was persevering under difficult circumstances. What was the hope on which they based their perseverance, what were they waiting for? (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

• 1 Thessalonians 1:10 reminds us of the truth of the Gospel, the power which turned the lives of the Church around. What is this Gospel, and what does it mean for us? (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)