1 Thessalonians 2:17—3:13: Unmistakable Love
STUDIES SHOW THAT more people leave their churches today for lack of love than for any other reason (Win Arn, Carroll Nyquist and Charles Arn, Who Cares About Love? [Pasadena, Calif: Church Growth Press, 1986], p. 7). It is indeed sad that even those who are committed to the Lord of love are unable to offer that love to others. How can your church become a place where love will "increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else" (1Th 3:12)? This passage provides some practical examples.
Warming Up to God
On a scale of 1 to 10, how loved do you feel by the members of your church or fellowship group?
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17—3:13. »
Discovering the Word
- What evidence do you find in this passage that Paul really did love the Thessalonians (2:17, 20; 3:2, 5, 10)?
- What phrases does Paul use to express his love (2:17-18; 3:5)?
- What fears caused Paul to send Timothy to Thessalonica (3:2-5)?
- What are Paul's desires for the Thessalonians (3:10-13)?
- How do these desires reflect Paul's love and caring?
Applying the Word
- How do you most often express your love for others?
- What ideas from this passage can help you become even better at expressing love?
- How can you (as an individual or group) help love increase within your church or fellowship group?
Responding in Prayer
Ask God to help you show love to someone in your church this week.
For Further Study
1 & 2 Thessalonians (John Stott Bible Studies) by John Stott