1 Thessalonians 3

Key point(s) 1.  Spiritual Children are a blessing and responsibility God gives us 2.  We must raise spiritual children to become mature adults 3.  Spiritual Children will only become mature adults when we trust them to the Lord

What does it say?

What does it mean?

• Paul is overwhelmed with concern for the Thessalonians so he sends Timothy to check  up on them(v1-2, 5)

-Paul knows how hard it is to be persecuted because he’s been persecuted

-Paul wants to show the Thessalonians he cares by being with them(ministry of presence)

• Timothy is sent to encourage and equip the Thessalonians so they persevere through persecution(v2-3)

-Paul can’t visit the Thessalonians so he sends someone he trusts to minister to them on his behalf

-Paul trusts Timothy because he’s been faithful in doing ministry with Paul

• Paul reminds the Thessalonians that followers of Jesus are destined for persecution and trial(v3-4)

-Paul prepared the Thessalonians to face persecution and difficulty in following Jesus

-Paul was truthful in presenting the fullness of the gospel and what it means to follow Jesus

• Timothy encourages Paul and alleviates his anxieties by telling Paul how the Thessalonians are persevering in faith and growing in love(v5-7)

-Timothy helps Paul trust God’s faithfulness

-The Church cares for each other/other parts of the Church

• Paul rejoices in the faith of his spiritual children(v8-9)

-Learn to trust God with your “children” by submitting them to God

-Tension in salvation(saved by grace through faith/ evidenced in our works/fruit)

• Paul prays for the needs of his spiritual children(v10)

-Paul models a lifestyle of prayer(attitude of prayer)

-aware of the needs of others and God’s mission

-focused on the power of God and not the desperateness of the circumstance

• Paul surrenders his children to God’s care(v11-12)

-Pray’s w/great hope for the growth of the church and a future visit(optative mood)

• Paul hopes that his children will follow his example(v13)

-Paul’s growth in holiness is the result of his increasing ability to express love for God by serving/loving the Church

-Paul’s growth in holiness also comes from persevering through difficulty/suffering for following Jesus

Reflective Discussion

1.  What does it mean to have spiritual children?  What role does a spiritual parent play in the life of a spiritual child?

2.  Do you have any spiritual children? Is a disciple the same as a spiritual child?

3.  How do you “have” a spiritual child?

4.  What negative parental tendencies keep children from becoming mature adults? What are those negative parental tendencies in spiritual child rearing?

Individual Challenge

Commit to asking God to give you a spiritual child.

Write the names of potential spiritual children.

_________________________     _________________________     _________________________

List specific actions you will take to be intentional about raising your spiritual children

(i.e. pray for them, do a bible study, etc)

What resources would help you become a better Spiritual parent/Discipler?