Week One
1 Thessalonians 1: Community Group
Optional Read Acts 16 for a background on the church in Thessalonica
1) Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. Have the group share their observations about what was so
impressive about these Christians in Thessalonica?
2) Agree or Disagree?
Every Christian and every church in every generation should be characterized by faith, love and
hope? Are there other passages in the New Testament that emphasize these distinguishing
marks of the Christian?
3) Why are these called the “cardinal virtues” of the Christian? Notice what these virtues
produce in 1:4.
4) Read aloud the example of the Thessalonian Christians in 1:4-10. How were they are
good example and model for us today?
5) In what ways did they live with a sense of enthusiasm for the Gospel? In what ways
did they lived with a sense of expectancy?
(Optional: Read Romans 5:9; Revelation 3:10; and 1 Thessalonians 5:9. How might
these passages relate to the hope given in 1 Thessalonians 1:10 about the Lord’s
return?)
6) What are some things we can do as Christians to help echo set an
example on campus?
Prayer Time:
Spend some time praying as a group that God would give us the same kind of activity
produced by faith; labor prompted by love and endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Also ask God to move among us to give us the same sense of enthusiasm for the Gospel and expectancy
for the Lord’s return.
Ask God to move powerfully to extend the Gospel through echo to influence campus, this city & the
world.
Week Two
1 Thessalonians 2: Community Group Questions
1.
Our primary goal in life is to please God. Read 1 Thess 2:1-4. What is the difference
between pleasing men and pleasing God? What are some examples of how one can do
something good but only to please people? What are some indications that something was
done to please God rather than people? Each person think of one practical way they will
seek this week to please God rather than others.
2.
Our speech to one another should be characterized by honesty and love. Read 1 Thess
2:5. Also read 2 Cor 2:17; Philippians 1:18 and Eph. 4:25. What other passages can you
think of that has to do with our speech toward one another? Why is it so important to have
honesty in our relationships? Why would it be important to be honest in our friendships
with those that do not know the Lord?
3.
Transparency in relationships leads to closer and deeper connection with one another.
Read 1 Thess. 4:5b. Why do people put on masks? True or False: Everyone has a mask of
some sort covering up something. Would anyone in the group be willing to share some of
the masks they struggle with wearing and why? How can the community group be a safe
place to take off masks? What sort of things happen in groups to cause people to keep
wearing their masks?
4.
Humility in relationships leads to unity. Read 1 Thess 2:6. Now turn to Phil 2:1-11. How
does Christ coming to earth relate to our relationships with one another? What would it
look like to be humble with people who do not know the Lord? What does pride or
arrogance look like? In what ways to do we look for praise from people in the church?
Make a commitment right now in your heart to do something for someone else this week in
such a way that no one will ever find out that you did it.
5.
Our relationships should be characterized by gentleness and not harshness. Read 1 Thess
2:7. Also read Gal. 5:22; 2 Tim. 2:24–26; Tit. 3:1, 2; Jas. 3:17. What are some examples of
being harsh with friends? With co-workers? With people who are not Christians? How can
one be more gentle? Is this more than a personality thing? Why or why not?
6.
Our relationships should be characterized by tender sacrificial involvement with each
other. Read 1 Thess 2:8-9. Where in these verses do we get the principle of being
sacrificial? Where do we get the thought of being tender? Have you been the recipient of
this kind of gift? Have you ever tried to reach out to someone with this kind of
involvement? How was it received?
7.
Spend time in prayer as a group asking that God work into your group these 6 principles.
And then ask that in our relationships with people who are not Christians these same
principles would be applied.
Week Three
Read 1 Thessalonians 3
1. Describe how Paul feels towards the Thessalonians.
2. Love is one of the main themes of the Bible and one of the characteristics of God. Read
Matthew 5:43–48 and explain in practical terms how we can love our enemies. In what
ways does God love his enemies?
3. In what ways should the reality of the second coming affect our daily lives?
4. Paul used his own life as an example for others to follow. In what areas can we hold up
our lives to be imitated?1
Prayer
Paul prays for their love to increase & overflow, pray for one another & ask God to increase
your love for those in your community group, in echo, & on your campus.
Paul also prays that God would strengthen their hearts. Is there an area of your life that you
need God to strengthen you? Pray this for one another.
1
Shenton, T. (2006). Opening up 1 Thessalonians (74). Leominster: Day One Publications.
Week Four
Community Group: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3
Discovering God’s Will
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3.
How would you define God’s will?
What does it mean that it is God’s will that we are ‘sanctified?’
What does the term ‘sanctification’ mean? How can we grow in our sanctification?
How are our sanctification & our discovery of God’s will related to one another?
Do you think that God has a ‘specific’ will (a specific path for every individual including definite decisions
that he wants each person to make) for people or a ‘permissive’ will (a general will for individuals &
freedom to choose from a myriad of good options) for people?
Resources
For articles & sermons on this topic go to www.echoaustin.com/resources
Prayer
Ask the group if there is anyone who is needing some wisdom or discernment about a specific decision
that they are trying to make. Pray for God to grant wisdom & discernment for one another.
Week Five
Community Group: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Living a Morally Pure Life
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. How is this passage relevant for Christians today? What are some words or
phrases that might further describe our “sexcrazed” culture?
How is God’s will connected to living a life pleasing to God and living a morally pure life?
What pressures do Christians face and feel trying to live morally pure lives in this immoral
culture?
What rationalizations do we often hear (or give) for justifying sexual immoral behaviors?
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-6a again. What three ways does Paul give for how to live a
morally pure life?
What are some healthy boundaries necessary to protect our sexual purity?
What are some ways that we can learn and exercise self-control over our bodies for sexual
purity?
What warnings does Paul give in verses 6-8 for why we should maintain moral purity?
Read some of the following passages that reinforce the teaching in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
and provide practical guidelines to help us maintain sexual purity whether we are single or
married. (Pick three or four to read)
Job 31:1 2 Corinthians 10:5 1 Peter 1:13-16
Psalm 119:9-11 Philippians 4:8,9 2 Peter 1:3,4
Romans 12:1, 2 Timothy 2:22
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Titus 2:11,12
Prayer
Spend some time praying for God to protect the moral purity of the people in the group
through healthy boundaries; learning self-control; and refusing to defraud others. Pray for
the testimony of Christ to be honored through our sexual purity.
Week Six
Community Group: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
Discovering God’s Will (Pt.2)
Paul practiced what he preached. When he was in prison he set the believers an example to
follow by his exhortations and way of life.
Questions
1. Why should a Christian be joyful always? Give as many reasons as you can.
2. Why is prayer important? What are some of the things that stifle prayer? Discuss the
best ways to develop your own prayer life and the prayer life of your group.
3. People can often be heard complaining about something. How can we encourage one
another to be more thankful?
4. Make a list of 10 things that you are thankful for tonight.
Read Philippians 1:3–26 and highlight Paul’s example to the Philippians in the areas of prayer,
joy and thanksgiving.
Resources
For articles & sermons on this topic go to www.echoaustin.com/resources