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These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Developed in life - 1Thessalonians
Introduction
Life in this world is not an end in itself, it is the preparation ground for eternity. To that end the Lord seeks to develop us so that we can be welcomed into eternity with joyful hearts. We can know that we have prepared well by learning to love through His power in each of the circumstances He sends us to develop that love.
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- God develops us in life - We are developed to show His love, and so be unashamed at His return.
- Love developed - We are provided circumstances where we can imitate Christ’s love.
- Strengthened hearts - Love puts us in need. In need our hearts are strengthened.
- Stand before God - How we live now leaves us confident or ashamed at Jesus’ return.
The Lord is not content for people to be merely saved, having new life and so not going to hell. He is looking for His people to be a people of a certain quality. He is looking for His people to be able to stand before Him unashamed and with confidence when Christ returns.
- What transformation was being sought from God in this prayer?
- What would be the result of this transformation?
- How is this preparation related to Jesus’ return?
- What qualities will Jesus be looking for in us when He does return?
1 Thessalonians 3:10-12 10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.
11 May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon.12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.13 May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.
The source of all love is God. We see this love worked out most easily through Jesus. As He loved us, so He desires that we love others. This is not some formula, but rather the Lord Himself arranges the opportunities for us to show love to others.
- What does it mean that Jesus gave up His life for us?
- How is this an expression of love?
- What situations are there in your life where you could show God’s love?
1 John 3:16 -18 16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister* in need but shows no compassion—how can God's love be in that person?
18 Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
Explore Love developed (God loves - opens in separate tab)
Love costs us, so as we love Jesus’ way we are exposed to need. Exposure to need brings a testing ground where God can develop our hearts so that we can stand against evil and live by His values.
- What is God’s promise to us as His children?
- Why would the love of money be contrasted with being content with what God can give us?
- How can the example of godly people help us to live the life God sets before us?
Hebrews 13:5-7 5 Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
"I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."* 6 So we can say with confidence, "The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?"*
7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
Explore Strengthened Hearts (God is enough - opens in separate tab)
There will come a time when Christ will bring all to an end. We will each stand before Him as with us, He evaluates our lives. At that point it is too late to make changes. The time to prepare is now.
- How is Jesus’ return described?
- What preparation is possible for this day?
- What does it mean to be a child of the day and to belong to the light?
1 Thessalonians 5: 2-8 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.3 When people are saying, "Everything is peaceful and secure," then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman's labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
4 But you aren't in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won't be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.*5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
Explore Stand before God (Christ’s return - opens in separate tab)