Can God Trust Us? and Quiet Times For Students

Virtual Meeting Sundays at 9 am

On Sunday mornings at 9:00 am we meet over Zoom. All 7th-12th graders are welcome to join. For connection information contact amy@crclife.org.

2 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit with you was not without result. ² On the contrary, after we had previously suffered and were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. ³ For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive. ⁴ Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts. ⁵ For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness— ⁶ and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others. ⁷ Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nurse nurtures her own children. ⁸ We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. ⁹ For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers and sisters. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers. ¹¹ As you know, like a father with his own children, ¹² we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

¹³ This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, since you have also suffered the same things from people of your own country, just as they did from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us. They displease God and are hostile to everyone, ¹⁶ by keeping us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. As a result, they are constantly filling up their sins to the limit, and wrath has overtaken them at last.

¹⁷ But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face. ¹⁸ So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? ²⁰ Indeed you are our glory and joy!

1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

Warm-up Questions

• Did anyone share the truth about Jesus with you? How did he do it? Did you believe him? Why or why not?

• Have you ever tried sharing what God has done in your life? What was it like? How did you do it?

• Do you think there are good and bad ways of sharing biblical truth with people? What would be a good way?

Observe Questions

• Read verses 1-2. What was Paul trying to share with the Thessalonians?

• In verses 3-12, Paul makes a list of the ways he and friends acted while sharing the gospel. What are some of the things they did and didn’t do?

• In verses 13-16, how do we see the church respond to Paul’s teachings?

• In verses 17-20, what are some of the things that Paul tells the church? Do these sound positive or negative?

Think Questions

• Why do you think Paul is so passionate about sharing Jesus?

• Why do you think the Thessalonians responded so favorably to Paul and his teaching?

• How do you think Paul has earned the right to preach to the Thessalonians? How do you think the church responded to Paul correcting them?

• What do you think it means when Paul says the Thessalonians are his joy and glory?

Apply Questions

• Paul lists some specific ways in which he, Timothy, and Silas lived their faith. Which ones seem easy? Which ones would take more practice?

• Paul ends chapter 2 by speaking about how much he desires to be with the Thessalonians. Do you desire to be with people who don’t yet know Jesus Christ or have just begun to walk with him?

• How can you be an imitator of God each day?

Daily Quiet Times

Monday – June 15

1 Thessalonians 2:1-2

1. What word or phrase jumps out to you? Why?
2. What had Paul shared with the Thessalonians? Does it sound like it was easy to do?
3. Think about who introduced you to Jesus. How did he communicate the message? What did he say?

Tuesday – June 16

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4

1. What word or phrase jumps out to you? Why?
2. Who is Paul trying to please? Why do you think he talks about motives?
3. Think about people you know who really love God. What makes them different? How do they act around those who don’t believe?

Wednesday- june 17

1 Thessalonians 2:5-8

1. What word or phrase jumps out to you? Why?
2. Make a list of the ways Paul influenced the Thessalonians. What do you think Paul means when he says, “We loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well”?
3. Think about your faith in Jesus. How do you model this to other people? How can you share your life and faith at the same time?

Thursday- june 18

1 Thessalonians 2:9-12

1. What word or phrase jumps out to you? Why?
2. What do you think Paul means by not being a burden?
3. Spend some time today thinking about your life. Are you involved in some kind of ministry to people? Why or why not?

Friday – june 19

1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

1. What word or phrase jumps out to you? Why?
2. Do you think the way Paul presented the truth of Christ’s message might have influenced the Thessalonians’ response? Why or why not?
3. Spend some time today thinking about those you go to school with and work with. How might you share your faith in a way they can relate to?

Saturday – june 20

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

1. What word or phrase jumps out to you? Why?
2. Does it sound as if Paul loved those he taught and served? What role does love play in serving and sharing our faith with others?
3. Paul considered sharing the gospel on a verbal level only part of the mission Jesus calls us to. What words and actions from your life reflect Jesus?