Be Self-Controlled!

Four Things to Say When Tempted to Sin Sexually:

1. "This is not WHAT God wants for me." (1 Thes 4:3)



2. "I CONTROL my body." (1 Thes 4:4-5)
   



3. "I don't want to face God's CONSEQUENCES ." (1 Thes 4:6)



4. "That's not WHO I AM ." (1 Thes 4:7-8)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
int: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

1. Why do you think sexual immorality seems to be a more prevalent sin than other sins? Why do you think it's a more readily accepted sin than others (e.g. murder, stealing)
    
2. Paul says that each of us should know how to control our own body, in holiness and honor (v4). What are some ways that we can control our bodies, or "discipline ourselves"(1 Cor 9:27) to avoid sexual immorality. Be specific!
    
3. What does Paul mean by "the Lord is an avenger in all these things" (sins related to sexual immorality, v6)? How does God "avenge" sexual sin, even regarding believers?

Breakout Questions:

Confess any struggles you have in this area and pray for each other. If you are not struggling, how have you learned to "discipline yourself" (1 Cor 9:27)?

Be An Encourager!

Review:

Be the Church!
Be Authentic! (1 Thes 1:1-3)
Be an Example! (1 Thes 1:4-10)
Be Done with People Pleasing! (1 Thes 2:1-8)
Be an Imitator! (1 Thes 2:9-16)
Be an Overcomer! (1 Thes 2:17-3:5)
Be the Church!
   
Encouragement:


The Church's Report Card: With What Subjects Do We Evaluate the Health of the Church?

1. FAITH (1 Thes 3: 6-7, 10)



2. LOVE (1 Thes 3:6, 12)



3. FELLOWSHIP (1 Thes 3:6)



4. PERSEVERANCE (1 Thes 3:8)



5. TEACHABILITY (1 Thes 3:10)



6. HOPE (1 Thes 3:13)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Breakout Questions:

My Report Card: Evaluate your health in these subjects. What is your strongest? Weakest? How can you "bring your grade up" in your weakest subject?

1. Faith (1 Thes 3:6,7,10)
    
2. Love (1 Thes 3:6,12)
    
3. Fellowship (1 Thes 3:6)
    
4. Perseverance (1 Thes 3:8)
    
5. Teachability (1 Thes 3:10)
    
6. Hope (1 Thes 3:13)

Be An Overcomer!

Review:

Be the Church!
Be Authentic! (1 Thes 1:1-3)
Be an Example! (1 Thes 1:4-10)
Be Done with People Pleasing! (1 Thes 2:1-8)
Be an Imitator! (1 Thes 2:9-16)
Be the Church!
   
5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Trials 20 Years Ago:

1. I can't always PREPARE for trials. (1 Thes 2:17)


2. I can't always OVERPOWER trials. (1 Thes 2:18)


3. I can't face trials ALONE . (1 Thes 2:19-3:3a)


4. I can't always AVOID trials. (1 Thes 3:3b-3:4)


5. I can't let trials STOP me. (1 Thes 3:5)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5

1. What is it about trials that make some people walk away from following Jesus (2:17, and see Matthew 13:21)?
    
2. Why do you think Satan hindered (roadblocked) Paul (2:18)? What seemed to be Paul's attitude about this?
    
3. Why did Paul send Timothy to the Thessalonians (1 Thes 2:19-3:3a)? How are YOU being established and exhorted in your faith?
    
4. "Jesus doesn't eliminate all your problems – sometimes He introduces you to new ones." What "new problems" does Jesus introduce a person to? (1 Thes 3:3b-4)
    
5. What was Paul concerned Satan would tempt the Thessalonians to do or not do (1 Thes 3:5)? Have you ever been tempted in this way?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for your group to trust God's purposes in the trials being faced. Pray for one another!

Be An Imitator!

Review:

1. Imitate CONDUCT :

Watch those who WALK the talk. (1 Thes 2:9-12)



2. Imitate PERSEVERANCE :

Watch those who ENDURE hardship. (1 Thes 2:13-16)

Sermon Notes: BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!
Sermon Audio: (none; failed recording)

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:9-16

1. In the sermon: "Hearing God's Word faithfully preached is the same as hearing from God". Do you agree or disagree with that statement? Why? How do you know if something that is preached is "from God"?
    
2. Who do you see worth imitating at the church? What do they do that you would like to see in your own life?
    
3. How can the leaders of the church balance being a mom (1 Thes 2:7) and a dad (1 Thes 2:11)? Are our leaders more "mother-like nurturing" or "father-like authoritative"?
    
4. What trial have you been through that God will use to allow you to minister to someone currently going through something similar? What would you say to that person?

Breakout Questions:

Who do YOU look to as a "dad" in the faith to imitate? Pray for one another!

Be Done With People Pleasing!

Review:


Why I'm done with People Pleasing, and you should be too!

1. Because I CAN'T please everyone. (1 Thes 2:1-2)



2. Because people pleasing tempts me to sacrifice my INTEGRITY . (1 Thes 2:3-5)


5 Sins of People Pleasing Ministry:


1. ERROR(1 Thes 2:3)


2. IMPURITY (1 Thes 2:3)


3. DECEPTION (1 Thes 2:3)


4. FLATTERY (1 Thes 2:5)


5. GREED (1 Thes 2:5)


6. Because God pleasing frees me to truly LOVE people. (1 Thes 2:6-8)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

1. How is people pleasing really a form of "self-pleasing"? In other words, why is people pleasing really about the person doing it more than the people s/he is trying to please?
    
2. What are some ways you have "fear of man"? (Definition: Caring more about what people think than what God thinks, i.e. "people pleasing")
    
3. What are the 5 things Paul lists as "sins we commit when we commit to people pleasing" (v3 & 5)? How can we guard against them?
    
4. Why is "God pleasing" really the way we love people (v6-8)?

Breakout Questions:

How should the church respond to the SCOTUS ruling on same sex marriage? How should YOU respond when YOU are asked about it? Pray for the leadership or our nation and pray for one another!