Sermon Questions January 4, 2015
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Describe a significant relationships that you have had with a family member.
Describe a significant relationship that you have had with a non-family member.
What makes these relationships significant?
In 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Paul describes his relationship with the Thessalonians. This is a church that he planted and is now writing back to encourage.
In verse 7, Paul says that they were gentle as a nursing mother. What does that mean with respect to how Paul spread the gospel among the Thessalonians?
In verse 8, Paul says that he not only shared the Gospel but himself. Why is sharing yourself an important part of spreading the Gospel?
In verse 9, Paul said that when sharing the Gospel, they were not a burden. Why is it important not to be a burden when sharing the Gospel? What are some examples of being a burden? What are some examples of not being a burden?
In verse 10, Paul says that they tried to live holy and blameless lives. Why is that important? What happens to our witness of the Gospel when we do not live blameless lives?
On the flip side, the church can come off as a group of people who live perfectly. That can turn away people from the Gospel because they look at Christians and say, “I could never live like that”. Or even worse, they can say, “The church is full of hypocrites”.
The goal, then, would be to live simple, holy, lives – asking for forgiveness when we sin – and not trying to think that we are better than others. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Do you have any examples where you thought the church was “too perfect” or where the church was hypocritical? What could those churches have done. How should we live our own lives?