Church of the Future -- 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 -- February 17, 2019

Small Group Questions for Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. 
Pastor Ray will be preaching on the second of three prayers found in 1 Thessalonians. 

Enjoy the discussion with your group.

GETTING STARTED

What do you pray for most of the time? What are your top three prayer requests?

This week we're looking at three ancient but timeless prayers that Paul prayed over the Thessalonian church. These prayers are also for us and lead to a glorious future.

WE WANT TO:
- Trust the Lord and submit to His clear direction for our lives.

- Understand God's love for us so that it leads us to overflow with love for others.

- Partner with the Holy Spirit as He makes our hearts "blameless in holiness" for the day Jesus returns or calls us home.

READ

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13. 

WATCH

Watch video

DISCUSS

Paul’s biggest concern is that the church will be able to stand "blameless in holiness" before God on the last day. Is that your biggest concern for the church today? Why or why not?

What three things does Paul pray for as he remembers the Thessalonian church?

First, he prays for a clear direction in order to be reunited with them. Review 1 Thess. 3:10. What does Paul want to accomplish in this visit? 

Why do you think Paul wants to “supply what is lacking in their faith”? How can we practice something similar with our friends and loved ones?

Second, he prays for their love to overflow. Who does he pray that they will love more?

Why is it important to love others in the church and outside the church? Why are both essential things to pray for?

Third, he prays that their hearts will be strengthened until Jesus returns. What do you think he wants them to be and experience in this life?

What is one area of your life you want to invite the Holy Spirit to change/develop so you can be “blameless in holiness” when you stand before him?

How does this change the way you will pray this week? Explain.

Church for the Future -- 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10 -- February 10, 2019

Pastor Mike Gliem is preaching on 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10.

Here are the video and questions to use for your small group.

Watch video here.

 Questions for Small Group

Who what the biggest influence in your life (e.g., spiritually, professionally, etc.)? Why?

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10

What is the difference between power and influence? From this passage, what makes someone a great influencer or minister? Why is Paul a great influencer? Explain.

How might God be leading you to be an influence in someone's life (or in the church)? Explain.

What was Paul’s Mission (e.g., what was his overall purpose with his work in the church in Thessalonica)? What is your mission in life?  Why?

What was Paul’s Method (e.g., how did he strengthen and encourage the church in the face of trials)? What is your method to strengthen the church?

What was Paul’s Motivation (e.g., what was the reason for his anxious heart and care for them)? What is your motivation to love people in the church and outside the church? Explain.

How can you follow Paul's example of deep love for the church? What must you adopt/do to love like he does?

 

What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you about your love and commitment for the church? How can you increase your influence on people's lives at Ambassador? Be specific.

Church for the Future -- 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 -- February 3, 2019

Pastor Ray will be preaching on 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 this Sunday. 

Watch the video with your group.

Here's some questions to guide your discussion.

1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

Watch Video

 

What are your “first world” problems?

Has the Bible ever truly come alive to you? If so, describe how and why.

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16.

What is the reason for the church's growth and maturity (see 1 Thess 2:13)? 

If the Living Word of God (the Bible) is necessary for Spiritual Growth, why do we struggle with letting it grab our hearts and/or attention?  

How can God’s Word help you during times of opposition? How has it helped you before?

In verse 14, he says they became “imitators of God’s churches” in Judea. In 1 Thess 1:6 the talks about how they imitated the apostles and the Lord. How does this sharpen your understanding of imitating others for the sake of becoming like Jesus? What churches/Christians around the world inspire you? Why?

Read v. 16. Romans 12:19 says that God will avenge those who have been treated wrong by this world. Does this truth satisfy you? Do you think Christians in Iran or Egypt are satisfied that the Lord will avenge them for the wrong that was done to them and their families?  

 How can this passage help you grow in your faith? How can it help you love Jesus? Explain to the group.

Church For The Future -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 -- January 27, 2019

Hi Small Group Leaders,

This Sunday I will be preaching on 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Paul is overcome with opposition, yet he shows the church how he "walked with God" during such hard times.  He was able to do this because he spent many years walking with God so even when the rumors and attacks came, he just did what he always did...lived to please God, not men. 

Watch this 6-minute video and answer the questions below.

God bless.
Ethan

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM1TkfVL22Q

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

1.         Did you spread rumors when you were a child/youth? What rumors did you spread?   What rumors have affected your life? Explain.

2.         When people attack or oppose you, how does your fleshly instinct want to respond?

3.         When Paul and his companions were opposed, how did they respond?  Why is their response better than our “fleshly” response?

4.         Discuss the difference of pleasing others (or ourselves) opposed to living our lives to please God.  What do you think a successful “God pleasing” life looks like day-to-day?

5.         Paul says he loved them like a mother nursing her children. Describe what kind of attitude that entails. How can you love others in the church that same way?

6.         Paul also says he acted like a father to exhort, encourage, and charge them to “walk with the Lord” or “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord”.  How does this example balance with the picture of a nursing mother?

7.         The main point is that we are to “walk with the Lord”.  Paul shows us how he walked with the Lord during terrible times of opposition. How can you walk with the Lord today so that you can walk with the Lord when times of opposition and testing come?  Give a practical way you can build a habit to walk with God in 2019.

Church For The Future - 1 Thessalonians 1:6-12 - January 20, 2019

Hi Small Group Leaders,

Today we are studying 1 Thessalonians 1:6-12 and Pastor Ray will preach on that passage on Sunday.

We made a video to help you prepare and/or show to your group. This video is much shorter than last week, but we would love to hear from you how we can help refine and make this more helpful for you.

With your group, please read 1 Thessalonians 1:6-12.

 Watch Video Here.

1.  What stood out to you when you watched the video/heard the sermon?

2.  Have you ever bought an imitation handbag, watch, etc?  How did that work out?

3.  Do you feel comfortable being imitated by someone? Why or why not? Do we put too much pressure on ourselves to be perfect before someone can "imitate" us? Explain.

4.  How does "imitation" resemble what you know about discipleship?

5.  Talk about the impact this single, young church had around Asia Minor. What impact have churches made around here? Dream what could happen if we all imitated each other and the Lord?

6.  Describe how their lives were changed because of an encounter with Jesus (vs. 9-10).

7. Do you get excited to "wait for the Lord"? Explain your feelings?

8.  How can you apply this to your life? How will this week look different as a result of this passage?

Chruch for the Future - 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 - January 13, 2019

Hi Small Group leaders,

We will be trying something new for this series and we'll try making some videos of what we are talking about on Sunday's message. This video can be used for you as you prepare or you can show it to your group. We hope these videos will help you understand the book better.

The first one is a bit long (14 minutes) and we'll make them shorter. Please give us grace as we get better as we go.  We will aim for 5-7 minutes in the future.

Please read 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5.

Watch the video.

Discuss:

1.  What stood out to you when you watched the video/heard the sermon?

2.  When you think of a church (Ambassador or a former church), what do you pray for? Who or what do you pray for? Do you express thanksgiving for the churches salvation? Why or why not?

3.  Think about these words: faith, love, and hope. Why do you think he put hope last? What one would you emphasize? Why?

4.  Think about "work or faith", "labor of love", and "endurance of hope". Why are all three important? Why should they not be split up?

5. In verse 4, he thanks God for their "election" or for "God choosing them".  Why is this a beautiful reason for thanksgiving?  Does God's divine call on your life (or loved one's lives) inspire prayers of thanks? Should they?

6. How does this help you believe, belong, become who God desires you to be? How does this help you relax and serve God out of a desire to love him? 

The Church For The Future - 1st Thessalonians - January 6, 2019

Greetings Small Group Leaders. Happy 2019!
For this year, I'll be posting the small group discussions right on this page...no download needed.

Also, we'll be mixing it up this year and trying something new. Instead of the normal questions, we'll be trying some video interviews with myself, Pastor Cree, Pastor Ray and others. I hope it is helpful, but please let me know if it can be improved or if you have any ideas. I'd love to hear them.

Here's the first weeks study put together by Pastor Cree!

Welcome to the Future

Hope

 First, gather your small group and watch this video together. This video was made by the Bible Project and will give an overview of 1st Thessalonians.  

Mouth

What is your first initial reaction to this video?

Have you read or studied 1 Thessalonians before? If so, do you have any favorite verses or passages? Please share. 

Head

What is your hope for Ambassador Church in 2019?

What is your hope for your spiritual life in 2019?

(LEADERS: Take note of what is said and have them elaborate if you can.)

Heart

If Ambassador Church was no longer here, would the city cry?  Explain.

If not, what would a church need to do/be to make a city cry at its absence? 

(LEADERS: What I’m getting at here is to see if we’ve made our presence known?)

Hands

What are some steps you will take to advance God’s Kingdom in Ambassador Church, your community, and in your life/home?

(LEADERS: You could have them write it down and share in smaller groups.)

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No7Nq6IX23c&feature=youtu.be
Overview Poster: Click here.