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THIS WEEK:
From the Sermon: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
Preacher: Pastor Jon Needham
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
MAIN POINTS: 1) Paul’s Concern 2) Paul’s Challenge 3) Paul’s Compromise 4) Paul’s Comfort
In this passage, we see Paul’s deep love and care for the church in Thessalonica. He desperately wanted to be back with them, but Satan prevented that, so Paul sent Timothy instead. Paul was encouraged by the Thessalonians faith in Christ and love for one another. He warned them against being tempted during trials and suffering
to walk away from the faith, and encouraged them that their faith and love was a comfort to him. May our church also be marked by faith and love as we grow
in sanctification.
Family Discussion Questions:
1. What’s something that surprised or confused you about this Bible passage?
2. Is there an event in your life that has ‘rocked your faith to the core’?
3. Have you or someone you know come under attack of a lie or an accusation? How did God use that time to grow and mature your faith?
4. How do you handle situations when your first option doesn’t work out? How do you go about finding a biblical compromise?
5. How do you measure success in your life? Is your measurement different than what Paul describes in this passage?
Parent Tip:
· Read the sermon summary together as a family. Build this into your regular routine, perhaps reading together around the table during a meal.
· There are five questions, each with a different theme. You can choose one night a week to go over all five, do a couple of questions a few times a week, or discuss one question per day.
· Each question is meant to be a conversation starter—model for your children how to answer these questions by sharing your own personal insights.
· Even if your conversations don’t go as planned, don’t be discouraged. ALL time spent talking about and reading God’s word is valuable!
· The more consistent you are in having these discussions, the more fruitful they will be. As this becomes part of your weekly rhythm, your kids will anticipate the questions and listen more attentively at church.
Other Scriptures:
- Ephesians 6:12
Parent Tip:
Use these additional scriptures as daily reading. This is also a great way to help your children learn to locate passages in the Bible.
Attribute of God:
PATIENT: God endures the wickedness of this world, waiting for some to be saved before bringing final judgment.
Parent Tip:
We focus on a new attribute of God each week to discuss as a family. Use this time to discuss who God is, answer questions the kids
might have, and talk about what that week’s attribute means to each person in your family.
Prayer Focus:
YOUR CHOICE: Choose something specific that’s burdening you this week and spend some time lifting it up to the Lord in prayer.
Parent Tip:
Each week of the month has its own prayer theme: Church, Family, Community, and Repentance. Use these themes to show your children how to pray. It can be helpful to add this to an already existing routine, like at bedtime or when you’re in the car together.
THIS MONTH:
Christ is Risen
Oh oh, look at the tree
Oh oh, isn’t the fruit good to eat
All in Adam will die
Oh oh, in Christ we shall all be alive
Alleluia! The stone has been rolled away.
Alleluia! Jesus walked away from the grave.
Oh oh, death where’s your sting?
Oh oh, how you have tasted defeat.
Oh the bloodshed, then the last breath
Resurrection! Salvation!
Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen!
And my soul knows
Sweet Salvation!
Parent Tip:
Each month we highlight a different song for you to sing together. Singing is an integral part of worship! Singing as a family helps teach the kids how to worship at church, and as they learn more songs, they will be able to participate more on Sunday mornings. You can practice your songs in the car, at the dinner table, when you wake up, or at bedtime! You can also check out our playlist on Spotify and sing along with your favorite worship songs.
Memory Verse:
John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yes shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’”
Parent Tip:
This is the same memory verse that the whole church is learning and it rotates monthly. Practice reciting it as a family each day at least once. Dinner time is a great opportunity to practice together.
New City Catechism:
Questions 25: Does Christ’s death mean all our sins can be forgiven?
Answer: Yes, because Christ’s death on the cross fully paid the penalty for our sin, God will remember our sins no more.
