Bible Study Lessons

How to Live So You Have a Good Testimony

Introduction

A new school teacher and his wife went to settle in his hometown. They found a parcel of land they liked and asked in town who owned it. They were told that the lot, like most of the other open land in the area, was owned by a retired banker. Anytime he was asked about selling a property he would say that he had promised a farmer that he could graze his cattle on it. The young teacher decided to try to get the property, and went to the bank the next morning. He met the same rebuff, “Promised it to some farmer for his cattle.” The young man was not discouraged and said he had thought the banker might be interested in selling it to someone settling in the area. The banker stared at him for a minute and then asked him to repeat his name. With a furrowed brow he mentioned a name asking if it was a relative. “Yes sir. He was my grandfather.” The banker put down the papers he had been working through and looked carefully at the man. Referring to the grandfather he said, “He was the best worker I ever had on my farm. Full day's work for a day's pay. So honest. What'd you say you wanted?” A week later he sold the property to the young couple at a great price. They reminded their children that it was because of their great-grandfather’s reputation as a diligent worker that they had such a wonderful place to grow up. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 speaks about the way a Christian’s love and diligence will impact their reputation with the world. Study the passage to understand how God directs His people to live so that they are honest and have excellent character.

Observation

Pray

Ask the Lord to give you His wisdom and perspective as you study this passage today.

Read Focus Verses

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 and notice the two main instructions and their two main results.

Instructions Summary

How would you summarize the two main instructions in this passage? One is found in verses 9-10, and the other has three parts in verse 11.

Results Summary

How would you summarize the two main results mentioned in verse 12 that come from living by those two main instructions?

Divine Teacher

Who teaches Christians to love each other?

No Need

According to verses 9-10, what are the two main reasons Paul did not feel he had to instruct these believers in depth about loving other Christians?

Other Christians

What term is used to refer to other Christians?

Increase

Since they already love their brothers and sisters in Christ, what instruction are they given at the end of verse 10?

Study

What three things are they to study to do in verse 11?

Whose Hands

Whose hands are to work for their provision?

Commanded

Were these new instructions according to the end of verse 11?

Outside

Who are the people referred to as those without? What are they outside of?

Reputation

According to verse 12, what kind of reputation should Christians have among those outside of the church?

Keyword - Commands

Marking the two main commands in this passage will help them stand out to you.

Commands

Commands

Mark the two main commands in 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11.

Keyword - Results

Marking the two results that follow from commands in this passage will help them stand out to you.

Results

Results

Mark the two results outlined in 1 Thessalonians 4:12.

Interpretation

Significance

In Matthew 22:37-40 we see that loving others is not a minor commandment.

Paired

1 John 4:21 adds that you cannot love God without loving others.

Special

But there is a special love that goes beyond loving everyone to especially loving Christians. 1 John 5:1 explains why.

Why?

Why do Christians have a special love for each other according to 1 John 5:1?

Example

John 15:12-13 points out the example of love which it commands us to follow.

Follow Him

Who is the ultimate example of love, and what did He do that best evidenced that love?

Source

Today's passage says that God teaches Christians to love each other. Galatians 5:22-23 is even more specific in explaining that love is a natural result of the Holy Spirit living within a Christian.

Growing

2 Peter 1:5-12 explains that Christians are to diligently apply themselves to learning more brotherly love.

Evidenced

1 John 3:13-19 shows us that brotherly love will be very practical in nature.

New Commandment

In John 13:34-35 Jesus commands His people to love one another and gives a reason very similar to the one given in today's passage in 1 Thessalonians.

Reasons

What is one of the main reasons God's people are to love each other on this earth?

How?

How does the love God's people have for one another impact their reputation in the world?

Learning

Since this kind of love is referred to using family terms, where might be a great place to learn and practice it?

More and More

If they were already loving one another, why does God want them to increase in love toward each other more and more?

Macedonia

On this map you can see some of the cities around Thessalonica in Macedonia which are being referred to in verse 10.

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Working Quietly

2 Thessalonians 3:12 also associates quietness - a steady calmness, a settled spirit - and work in the Christian's life.

A Quiet Handful

Ecclesiastes 4:6 further explains.

Quietness

Why does God command Christians to study to be quiet?

Work Till Jesus Comes

2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 explains that God does not think highly of those who do not work and mind their own business.

No Busybodies

In 1 Peter 4:15-16 God builds on today's verses when He warns Christians not to be busybodies, but to mind their own business.

Working for Jesus

Colossians 3:22-24 shows us that God does not consider earthly work below His people. In fact, it is a way they worship Him.

Diligent

Throughout Scripture God's people are urged to be diligent. Ecclesiastes 9:10 relates to today's passage.

The Next Level

1 Timothy 5:8 takes it to the next level when it says that one who will not provide for his own family is worse than an unbeliever.

Diligence

What are some of the reasons God explains that He wants His people to be diligent in these verses?

Work

Even in the Garden of Eden before sin, God gave His people work. What are some reasons you can think of that work is a blessing to God's people?

To Whom

Based on what you've seen in all of these passages, how would you answer someone who didn't know how to live for God in the busyness of everyday life and work?

A Good Reputation

Take a look at the word used in verse 12 to describe the kind of reputation Christians should have with the unbelievers around them.

Strong's G2156

Greek,euschemonos [yoo-skhay-mon'-ose]

--Adverb

Origin: from (2158)

Definition:

  1. in a seemly manner, decently

Correlation

How does the way a Christian works impact their reputation before the world? (To study this further, check out the study for Colossians 3:22-4:1 "God’s Blueprint for Christians in the Workplace.")

Christ's Name

Why is it so important to God that His people walk honestly and have a good reputation with the world because they represent Jesus Christ?

Lacking Nothing

Based on God's desire in verse 12 that His people work so that they will not lack and the other principles you've seen from Scripture, how would you answer someone who believed it was more holy to be purposefully destitute?

Treasures on Earth

Notice what Jesus says about the comparative importance of earthly riches in Matthew 6:19-34.

A Warning

Read the warning to those with physical possessions in 1 Timothy 6:17-19.

Seek First

What is more important than physical possessions according to God's Word?

Putting it all Together

How can you put together all of the verses you've looked at today to think biblically about work and money?

A Link

How will the two commands to love other Christians and work diligently work together in a growing Christian's life?

Application

Love

If you are a Christian, what are specific ways God is calling you to practically show to other Christians this week the love He has given you for them?

Diligence

What are some areas of your life - business or personal - in which God is calling you to be diligent?

Your Own Business

In what ways do you struggle with getting into other people's business, and how are you going to teach yourself to mind your own business?

Reputation

What are some specific steps God wants you to take so that you magnify Jesus Christ by having a reputation as honest and of an excellent character?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has challenged you to greater love for other Christians, and diligence in and focus on your work so that you will have a good reputation in the world for Christ's sake.

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