Letter to the Thessalonians | Week 5 – It’s God’s Will 

 

Following Jesus and becoming like Him, is a lifelong endeavor. Everything about our walk as His follower requires a deliberate and consistent effort. We know that we are saved, not by works, but by God’s grace through our faith in Jesus. Part of the salvation that we find in Him, includes an immediate sanctification. We spend the rest of our lives growing in the understanding of what that means for us. Being set apart, a holiness, a call to nonconformity to the norms of society, are all the identifying markers of a follower of Jesus. We are empowered by and led by the Holy Spirit to live the lives he calls us to. We must however, follow that lead and strive for a life where our words and actions reflect Jesus and what we have in Him.

 

READ James 2:17

 

…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

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READ this passage again and consider these related questions.

 

Why must our lives reflect our faith?

 

What are some of the results of our salvation? 

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

 

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; Romans 12:1; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Peter 3:11

 

1. Why must God’s grace be matched by a human response?

 

2. Describe sanctification. What is similar and different from holiness?

 

3. The passage calls us to continually seek holiness and love (v.1 & v.10). How do we do that?

 

4. Look at vv.9-10, how should God’s love impact how we interact with others?

 

5. Can you connect v.8 to Ephesians 4:30?

 

6. What do you think Paul means by “Lead a quiet life” and “mind your own business”?

 

7. Is this, in any way, contrary to being a witness or a light to the world?

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