Off the Shelf Sunday School--1 Thessalonians

Timothy’s Visit & Report (3:1-8)

So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that you would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless. But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

1.????Paul sent Timothy to the Thessalonian Christians to “strengthen and encourage” them in their faith. Paul loved Timothy but sent him into a dangerous place because of his great love for the Thessalonian Christians. The presence of pastors and teachers in dangerous places shows their love and commitment. Christians are to show their love by helping each other especially in matters of faith and moral living. (Rom 13:8-10; Gal 6:2)

2.????Persecution for being a Christian is not pleasant. However, there are benefits that can come out of it:

A.???It strengthens faith and weeds out those who are not genuine Christians (Mt 13:20-21; 1 Pet 1:7)

B.???It provides opportunities for unity and mutual comfort. (2 Cor 1:3-7)

C.???It develops commitment and endurance which strengthens our identification with Christ. (Rom 5:3-4; Gal 5:22-23)

D.???It makes us more zealous in spreading the gospel. (Acts 5:40-42)

E.????It helps us to remove sin and wasteful habits from our lives. (Job 23:10-12; Heb 12:10-11)

3.????Paul rejoiced to hear from Timothy that the Thessalonian Christians were holding to their faith and expressing it in love. (Eph 1:15-16)

4.????Paul says that he was consumed with concern about the Thessalonian Christians. This was a form of bondage. Now that he knew they were faithful and growing in their faith and love, he felt a new freedom and sense of being alive.

Have you ever been so concerned about someone’s well-being that you felt this way??