Surprised By Trouble and Quiet Times For Students

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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 or susan@crclife.org.

¹ Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens. ² And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, ³ so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. ⁴ In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. ⁵ For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.

⁶ But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love. He reported that you always have good memories of us and that you long to see us, as we also long to see you. ⁷ Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction, we were encouraged about you through your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you, ¹⁰ as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. ¹² And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you. ¹³ May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Warm-up Questions

• When you experience any trouble or pain, how do you usually react?

• Why do you think suffering is a part of being a Christian?

• Whom do you turn to when you’re surprised by some difficulty?

Observe Questions

• Read 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5. How would you describe Paul’s circumstances and concern for the Thessalonians? What actions did he take to relieve his concern?

• Based on verses 6-10, what details about the Thessalonians do we learn from Timothy’s report to Paul?

• In verses 11-12, what prayer requests does Paul make?

• In verse 13, what qualities does Paul want to see in the lives of the believers when Jesus returns?

Think Questions

• What does Paul share about his purposes in sending Timothy in verses 2-5? What connection is there between Paul’s suffering and his concern about their well-being?

• How does Paul respond to Timothy’s report about the Thessalonians?

• Why do you think Christians need encouragement?

Apply Questions

• Who are the Timothys in your life? How do you respond to their help when they supply what’s lacking in your faith?

• We know from this chapter that Paul prayed for believers and acted in love on their behalf. What does this teach us about our role in loving other believers and our friends?

• Paul ends this chapter by expressing his ultimate goal—that God would prepare the believers for meeting Jesus when he comes again. Why is this also important for your life? How can you grow in holiness even when you’re surprised by trouble? How does the reality of Jesus’ return further motivate us to walk in holiness?

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Daily Quiet Times

Monday – June 22

1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

1. What word or phrase jumps out to you? Why?
2. What’s Paul concern in this part of the letter? What clues in Paul’s words indicate that the Thessalonians needed a little help? How does this relate to your faith life?
3. Spend some time today thinking about how trials can unsettle our faith. Whom do you turn to when you’re surprised by troubles?

Tuesday – June 23

1 Thessalonians 3:4-6

1. What word or phrase jumps out to you? Why?
2. How would you describe Paul’s motive for sending Timothy to the Thessalonians? What report did Timothy bring to him?
3. Who are people who hold you in great affection, like Paul held the Thessalonians? Consider writing a note of thanks to one of these special people who loves you and is concerned for your well-being.

Wednesday- june 24

1 Thessalonians 3:7-8

1. What word or phrase jumps out to you? Why?
2. How do you think the believers might have felt, knowing Paul’s love and concern for them, even though his own circumstances were filled with difficulty? How could having these types of friends in your life encourage you to keep following Jesus during tough times?
3. What distress or trouble are you currently going through? Ask God to send faithful leaders and friends like Paul and Timothy to you, so your faith may remain strong during tough times.

Thursday- june 25

1 Thessalonians 3:9-10

1. What word or phrase jumps out to you? Why?
2. How would you describe the mood of Paul’s prayer? What was his motive for wanting to go see the Thessalonians? How does this relate to your life?
3. Ask God to help you identify the area you most need to have a spiritual tune-up. What is it? Ask a friend to help you be accountable to make a change in this area of growth.

Friday – june 26

1 Thessalonians 3:11-12

1. What word or phrase jumps out to you? Why?
2. Why is it essential for us to bring our needs to God in prayer? How can prayer help us live a life increasing and overflowing in love for others and for God?
3. Spend some time in prayer, especially asking God to increase your love for others and, most importantly, for God. If you feel your capacity to love is shallow, ask God to increase it and allow it to overflow.

Saturday – june 27

1 Thessalonians 3:13

1. What word or phrase jumps out to you? Why?
2. What does Paul ask for? How does Paul want to see the believers prepared to meet Jesus when he returns? How does this relate to your preparation to meet Jesus someday?
3. Who are you in Jesus? How are you getting ready to meet him on a daily basis? Is your life filled with holiness? Ask God to fill you with a fresh, daily purity from the Holy Spirit right now.