Church of The Future -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- March 13, 2019

GETTING STARTED What are 5 things you are anticipating right now? This week we’re exploring Paul’s response to life after death for believers. In his reply, Paul makes three statements to the Christian community: (1) The resurrection of Jesus gives us confidence, (2) The dead and the living will come before Christ on His second coming, (3) There is hope beyond death. WE WANT TO: - Know that the bases of life are not the here and now. It is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus that gives us hope. - Look forward to Christ’s Second Coming. - Be encouraged in the midst of life because there is hope beyond death. READ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

WATCH
https://youtu.be/jSysQNUHos8

DISCUSS
 1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? 

 2. What do you think of when you hear the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus? How does it affect your life? 

 3. How would you live your life if you knew when Christ will return? 

 4. What is your understanding of the word “rapture”? 

 5. In light of the Second Coming, what steps can we take as a church to share the gospel of Christ to our community? How can your group keep each other accountable in this area? 

 6. Can you think of 3 names that you can share the gospel of Jesus with? What are practical steps that you can take towards sharing the gospel? 

 7. How can your group pray and encourage you?

Church of The Future -- 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 -- March 2, 2019

GETTING STARTED

Who are some people you respect and why?

This week we're exploring Paul's response to Timothy's report about Thessalonica. In his
reply, Paul provides three tactics for the church to win the respect of those outside the
Christian community: (1) demonstrating brotherly love, (2) minding one's own business, and
(3) working hard.

WE WANT TO:

- Better understand why people in our neighborhoods, work places, and local communities
show respect to others.

- Commit to a life of brotherly love, minding our own business, and working hard.

- Invite the Holy Spirit to show us the areas we need His help.

READ

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

WATCH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcMnzPPi2NA

DISCUSS

1. What do the terms “respect” and "contempt" mean to you? How do you define them?

2. What is Paul saying about phileo (“brotherly”) love in this passage?

3. How can our church increase in brotherly love? What can we do practically to
communicate love to one another (read John 13:34-35; Lev 19:18; 1 Pet 4:8; Rom 13:8; 1
John 3:18)?

4. What do you think it would have looked like to “lead a quiet life” in the ancient world (read
Job 3:26; 11:19; Ezek 38:11)? What do you think it would look like to “lead a quiet life”
today?

5. What steps can we take as a church to mind our own business? How can we hold each
other accountable to this in a loving manner?

6. How should we, as Christians, approach work? How does this differ from culture's
approach?

7. In what areas of your life do you feel like it would be challenging to apply Paul's advice?
Why?

8. Why do you think Paul teaches that demonstrating brotherly love, minding your own
business, and working hard will win the respect of outsiders/unbelievers? How does this
apply to winning respect today?

9. What is at least one area in your life that you would like to win the respect of unbelievers?
How can your group be praying for you in this?