Sermon Discussion Questions: "Relationships that Transform"

AUTHENTIC CHURCH | Relationships that Transform | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
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Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18. Read the passage and consider the following questions. 

CONSIDER YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH LEADERS.
Re-read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 to discuss the following questions.

1. Why does Paul command the church to have leaders who love the members and members who love their leaders? What’s at stake?
2. How do these verses instruct the church to treat qualified leadership in the church?
   1. How are leaders described in these verses? (i.e. what do they do?)
   2. What attitude should motivate our respect for and esteem of qualified church leadership?

Getting Practical

1. How did Sunday’s teaching affect your attitude toward leaders? Explain.
2. Have you ever expressed your frustration with leadership behind their back rather than to their face? OR Have you ever had unrealistic and/or unfair expectations of a leader’s family (i.e. their wife and children)? How did Sunday’s teaching challenge you?

CONSIDER YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER.
Re-read 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 to discuss the following questions.

1. What does it mean to “admonish the idle” according to Sunday’s teaching?
2. What does it mean to “encourage the fainthearted and help the weak”?

Getting Practical

1. Did the Lord bring someone specific to mind who is either fainthearted or weak right now? How specifically is the Lord asking you to encourage and/or help them?

CONSIDER YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD.
Re-read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to discuss the following questions.

1. What’s God’s will according to these verses?
2. Why do you think so many Christians struggle with finding joy in life? What can they do to experience joy and to express gratitude?

Getting Practical

1. Are you spending time with the Father in His word and prayer?
   1. If so, what has God been teaching you recently?
   2. If not, what do you think is going on in your heart that’s causing you to neglect your relationship with the Lord? What do you think repentance looks like?

PRAY TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY GROUP.
PRAY OVER YOUR OIKOS DOCUMENT.