I'm bringing this study to the men and women at the local memory center this week. As I was typing it, I asked myself the same questions as I will ask them. I thought you might be encouraged if you ask yourself the same questions:
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“To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you.” (1 Thessalonians 1:1-4)
Questions about this text:
1. The word ‘church’ means those who have been called out of their culture and into the culture of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul wrote to the church in the city of Thessalonica (northern Greece). Why can we read this letter as if Paul had written it to the church at The Memory Center?
2. Some of us here did not have a kind and gentle father in your home. Paul talks in this letter of God as their Father. If you have asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, then God is also YOUR Father. How does it make you feel to know that God is your loving and gentle and compassionate Father?
3. The Bible here talks about the ‘work of faith.’ How is faith a work – even sometimes a hard work? How is love sometimes a labor, an effort? Why does ‘hope’ sometimes require a steadfastness (perseverance)?
4. According to this text, on what does our work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope focus? How does that focus help us to do all of those things?
5. Paul concludes this text by telling them God chose them. Did God ALSO choose you? How do you know He chose you?
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