I Thessalonians - Week 9

Sunday, February 28, 2021

  1. At the beginning of the sermon, guest speaker Pastor Jim Dreisbach talked about some instances where he just felt very out of place (airport in India, speaking at a women’s retreat, etc). Describe a time when you felt out of place or like you just didn’t fit in. 

  2. The big idea of the sermon was that when we live like Jesus is coming, there will be a growing, unmistakable contrast between us and the world. Read I Thessalonians 5:1-11 and look for those areas of contrast. 

  3. What is the “day of the Lord” that vs 2 describes? As Jim said, there are many views on what all is included in the events before/during/after the day of the Lord, but what is your perspective on it? How do you see it happening? 

  4. One area of contrast was our hope in the future. Considering the dark descriptions used in this passage (judgement, destruction, pain, etc), why is there hope for followers of Jesus? How does this relate with the sermon from 2/21 about the return of Christ? 

  5. Considering the day of the Lord and the coming judgement, we must urgently share the Gospel. Take some time as a group to pray for those in your life who do not yet know Jesus. Also pray that God will give YOU the opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel with them and that you will share it when that opportunity arises. 

  6. Another area of contrast is in our view of truth. What is the standard of truth for the believer? 

    • How is that different from the “my truth” views of our culture? 

    • Where do you see the “moving truth standards” of our culture that Jim described? 

    • Do you see any areas where the Church is tempted to compromise on Biblical truth? 

  7. How can we be ready for the Lord’s return? (not asleep, but sober and ready - vs 6-8)

  8. How has God equipped us for the conflicts (battles) that come due to our contrasts (differences) from the world (vs 8-11)? 

  9. In light of the coming day of the Lord, why does our closeness to the family of Christ matter?

  10. Take inventory of your daily life. Is there a growing contrast between you and the world? Are there areas that you need help, encouragement, or accountability in order to have more contrast?

Phil Wing