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Call to worship: Psalm 107:1-9
Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8
Summary:
With thanksgiving to God, Paul recounts the remarkable advance of God's eternal love, first, for and, then, through the Thessalonian church into all the world. Indeed, their faith in God went forth everywhere.
Prepare
Discussion Questions:
- Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. Compare with the texts given for our call to worship and intermediate reading above.
- Why does Paul give thanks to God? As he does, why does he give it to God, 'for' the saints in Thessalonica, but not 'to' them? See 1:4. Still, for what does Paul give them credit in 1:3?
- How do we know that God has loved them (us)? How does election (God's choosing) become evident, manifest? What more do we need in addition to the preaching of the Gospel in order for it to prove effectual with our souls, and how does that effectual preaching relate to God's electing love? Very important.
- Why is Paul's example an important thing to pair with the Gospel he preached? What does it mean, in this instance, to become an imitator of Christ and model Christians? How does that relate to the effectual work of the Holy Spirit in 1:4-5? What is the consequence of their faith in 1:8? Is our faith overflowing with an inherent passion to spread itself to all others, unbelievers and believers alike?
- What do others report about the church in Thessalonica? How do they account for the authenticity of their faith in Christ? What does true conversion emphasize? How have they become an example for all churches everywhere? What can we gain from the faith of this church?