LIVING HOPEFULLY: A study through Thessalonians Confidence in Faith: (6/11/17) Our Mission: Our groups are centered around our philosophy on discipleship we call “radical growth.” The method can be summed up by the following: “There is a place you need to begin (Seed), friends you need to find (Soil), truths you need to know (Roots), disciplines you need to live (Vine), resulting in the person God wants you to become (Fruit).”

Our spiritual lives begin with an understanding of the Gospel (the seed) and are strengthened by our relationships within the church and other environments for growth (the soil). Our weekly studies are designed to help encourage the dynamic process of growth that result from the work of His Spirit as we live life together! 


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Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (NIV) 1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord

Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

2  We

always thank God for all of you  and continually

mention you in our prayers. 3  We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith,  your labor prompted by love,  and your endurance inspired by hope  in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel  came to you not simply with words but also with power,  with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.  6  You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

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And so you became a model  to all the believers in Macedonia  and

Achaia.  8  The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned  to God from idols  to serve the living and true God,  10  and to wait for his Son from heaven,  whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Truths to Know: Overview of Sermon: In a time where our beliefs in Christ Jesus are constantly under attack, and cynicism runs rampant, what are we putting our hope in? In a post-Christian world, how can any of us hold fast to the truths of Scripture? First let us dive into the beginning of following Christ (the seed). How do you become a Christian? 1. The Gospel comes to you. It can come to you in a thousand ways—through a trial, or a climactic event, through a growing knowledge. The way you know it is coming to you is that even if you thought about Jesus all your life, you begin to be overwhelmed by the totalitarian nature of His claims in your heart. In other words, you became overwhelmed by the glory of Christ.

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2. The Gospel becomes a power. The Gospel itself becomes a power within you. What is that power? That God Himself loves you and died for you and gave His life for you on the cross. That knowledge in itself is a power in you. Christianity is not something that you take up—it takes up you. You feel chosen. 3. The Holy Spirit brings conviction. The role of the Holy Spirit is to make you more like Christ. The Holy Spirit is in your life to shape you into the image of Jesus. As a Christian, you begin to realize that you are not your own. You feel conviction for sin. You long to be near Him and to walk with Him. 4. You give up on alternatives. The Gospel says that everyone in this room has a sense of the coming wrath. We all have a sense of a voice that says “you are a fool, you are guilty.” We all have a sense that there is something wrong and we are guilty. We are all running from something. Chariots of Fire: Abrams says, “I have ten seconds to prove the reason for my existence.” Rocky: “When I’m in the ring, I get to prove I’m not a bum.” The alternative is not Christianity or freedom. The alternative is slavery from guilt, or freedom in Christ. Look at your fear, look at your guilt, look at your depression, and trace it back, and you will find the root cause. 5. You influence others for the Gospel. DISCIPLINES TO LIVE: 1. What are some of the ways that you can daily demonstrate your love for the Gospel? (at work, at home, etc.) 2. Why would it matter for the Gospel to first penetrate our own hearts? 3. What are the effects of the Gospel not penetrating our own hearts? 4. What are symptoms, or ways of knowing, the Gospel is penetrating our hearts? 5. Do you find it difficult believing the Gospel? Why? THE PERSON I WANT TO BECOME: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Who are two people in your circle that don’t know Christ that you see weekly? How can I reinforce the truths of the Gospel in my heart on a daily basis? What is the difference between guilt and conviction, and why is one sin? (point 3) How do I allow this to sink into my life and affect change moving forward? In what ways do I not allow myself to live in the freedom of Christ? 3 of 4

Additional Information: LEADERS’ EYES ONLY Three steps to take prior to leading into this teaching. 1) Before beginning, remind yourself that this is a time for you to lead out of vulnerability. Paul sets an example for us in this when he writes in 1 Corinthians 9:12. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me… Allow vulnerability to draw you to a dependence on the finished work of Christ and not on current actions or shortcomings. 2) Spend time praying for the souls of your group. Would we never be a people who takes for granted the work of Christ and buys into the myth that people are “set in their ways.” Take heart in reminding yourself that God the Holy Spirit wants to move in the hearts of the people of your group and continue to come back to the truth of the Gospel. “Whatever subject I preach I do not stop until I reach the savior, The Lord Jesus, for in Him are all things.” - Charles Spurgeon 3) As you teach, be considering what it is that God wants the members of your group to learn as well as what Christ has for you in this lesson. Allow the truth of this teaching to permeate into your heart and out of an overflow of what God has done in your heart to be what comes out. Shepherd well as you are prayed for, cared for, and interceded for by your staff. Walk in the confidence that comes not from worldly intellect, but the wisdom and discernment that comes from knowing Christ intimately. Stand on the truths of Scripture and trust in Christ as you lead this group.

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