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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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Live through Him - 1Thessalonians
Introduction
Paul in his letters was constantly bringing up a trio of key aspects to the spiritual life, Faith, hope and love. It seems that these three factors are the aspects of our lives that endure for eternity. The three work together in our relationship with God and are then expressed by the way we live towards others.
Bible Zone
- Work of Faith - Live through the power of God when we trust Him for what He says.
- Loving Deeds - Work of faith, loving deeds, enduring hope in Jesus
- Enduring Hope - Hope looks for God to intervene out of His goodness.
We demonstrate faith when we believe God for what He tells us He will do, or that He will be whom He has revealed Himself to be. Through such faith, God works to bring about His purposes on earth. Here is an example of faith. It is one of the few places where Jesus is amazed. Matthew 8:5-13.
- How does the army officer express confidence in what is not seen?
- What is the basis of his confidence?
- How does Jesus commend this faith?
- What are the results of exercising faith?
Matthew 8:5-13 5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer* came and pleaded with him,6 "Lord, my young servant* lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain."
7 Jesus said, "I will come and heal him."
8 But the officer said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, 'Go,' and they go, or 'Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this,' they do it."
10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, "I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel!11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.12 But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, "Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened." And the young servant was healed that same hour.
More on faith (Faith - trust - opens in another tab)
God is not as concerned about how we do things as the actions themselves. Without love, our actions are of little value. Love will often put as at risk, and so we depend on God to rescue us from the hole we put ourselves into when we love. In this our hope is in God, and His goodness.
- What motivation for love is given here?
- What is the outcome of living out God’s love through our lives?
- What is real love? How is it seen in your life?
1 John 4:7-10 7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
More on love (Love expressed - opens in another tab)
Hope trusts that Jesus has a plan, that He is good and that we can trust Him to do the right thing at the right time. We can tell when we have hope because our hearts are at peace, no matter what the circumstances.
- What transformation of circumstances are we told to set our hope on?
- How does this expectation help you live in times of trouble?
- How might this hope affect your prayers.
1 Peter 1: 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
More on hope (Hope - opens in another tab)
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