Introduction
Alexander Solzhenitsyn was weak and discouraged. He was a prisoner in a Soviet work camp in the icy wastes of Siberia. It didn’t seem he could carry on. Alexander decided to stop working, knowing that the guards would beat him to death. Just as he paused, another Christian imprisoned with him drew a simple cross where Alexander could see it. That encouraging reminder gave him strength to take another step, and another. He remembered the suffering of Christ on the cross and the eternal glory that followed. Alexander kept going because another Christian saw his suffering and chose to encourage and comfort Him with the promise of the gospel. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 shows us that Christians strengthen and encourage each other. When one Christian or group of Christians is suffering, others gather around them to comfort them and strengthen their faith. Study the passage to learn more about how Christians stand with each other and how you can encourage other Christians.
Observation
Pray
Ask God to open your mind and heart to this passage and change your thinking to be like His through it.
Read Focus Verses
As you read 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, try to figure out what the passage is about.
Context
To understand the context for these verses, read 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16.
Where?
Where was Paul during this part of the story?
Who?
Who did Paul send as his representative to this church?
Description
How is Timothy described in verse 2?
Why?
Why did Paul send Timothy to the Thessalonian church?
Result
What result did Paul desire Timothy's visit to bring in the church?
Appointed
What does verse 3 say Christians are appointed to?
When We Were There
What did Paul tell these believers while he was still with them according to verse 4?
Couldn't Wait
What couldn't Paul wait for?
Know
What did Paul want to know most about these people?
Afraid
What did Paul fear might have happened to them?
In Vain
What would have made his work among the Thessalonians useless?
Keywords - Establish and Comfort
The words establish and comfort convey the meaning and action at the heart of the passage.
Encourage
Mark the words establish and comfort in 1 Thessalonians 3:2.
Interpretation
The Backstory
Acts 17 tells us the same story that Paul recounts in today's passage with more detail. Paul and Silas were brutally beaten and then imprisoned in Philippi. After their release, they went to Thessalonica where they preached the gospel for at least three weeks. Some of the Jews hated the gospel and got a group of ruffians together to cause trouble for Paul and his companions. The Christians quickly sent them to Berea where they started preaching until the Thessalonian troublemakers followed them there. The situation was so bad that Paul had to be whisked away alone - leaving instructions for Silas and Timothy to follow. Next stop - Athens. There Silas and Timothy joined Paul. Paul was worried about the Thessalonians facing such trouble so soon after their conversion. Today's passage tells the rest of the story. Timothy went back to encourage them and see how they were doing. Read his report of the Thessalonians church in 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10.
We
Who is the we in verse 1 (you can look back at 1 Thessalonians 1:1 to check)?
Key Assumption
This passage makes a key assumption that Christians will face trials and troubles. Read what 2 Timothy 3:12 says about this.
How Many?
How many Christians can expect to suffer persecution?
The Reason
In John 15:19-21 Jesus explains why His people will be persecuted.
Why?
Why will the world persecute God's people?
Example
1 Peter 2:20-24 speaks of persecution and how a Christian should think about it.
In Your Words
In your own words, what does 1 Peter 2:20-24 say?
Do Not Fear
Jesus tells His people not to fear persecution in John 16:33.
Unafraid
Why do Christ's people not fear persecution?
Separated
Romans 8:35-37 tells us what persecution cannot do to a Christian.
The Love of Christ
What can persecution not separate a Christian from?
Be Faithful
Revelation 2:10, addressed to another suffering church, tells us what the reward will be for a Christian who stands fast through persecution.
Reward
What is the reward for those who are faithful to Christ to death?
Persecution
Based on what you've seen in these passages, how should a Christian think about persecution?
Paul's Concern
When Paul thought about these suffering Christians, he was concerned for them. 2 Corinthians 1:2-7 explains why he was so concerned and wanted to comfort them.
Comfort
How did Paul's suffering prepare him to help other Christians who were suffering?
Labor Unrewarded?
Mark 4:2-20 will explain Paul's fear that their work had been vain.
Soils
This passage teaches us about the many responses someone who shares the gospel can expect. Some people will not even listen, others will listen but do nothing, some will seem to respond with eagerness but will turn away when trouble comes showing they were never truly saved, and a few will receive the gospel and grow in faith. Which type of 'soil' was Paul afraid these Thessalonian believers might be?
Faith Demonstrated
You already read Timothy's report of their faith in the midst of persecution. What type of 'soil' did their hearts prove to be?
Establish
Timothy was supposed to establish the faith of these believers. What might that look like?
Hold Fast
Hebrews 10:23-25 commands us to do something that is one of the main ways we are established in our faith and which helps us encourage others to hold fast the faith.
Gathering
What is one of the main ways we help each other become more established in the faith?
Comfort
What Bible truths and promises do you think Timothy might have share with these Christians to comfort them in their suffering?
The Comforter
John 14:26 identifies the primary comforter of every Christian.
Chief Pattern
Whose example should a Christian follow when trying to comfort other suffering Christians?
With Them
Hebrews 13:3 tells us not to ignore the suffering of other Christians, but to remember their suffering as if suffering with them.
Response
Based on everything you've seen in these passages, when a Christian hears that other Christians are suffering, what should their response be?
Application
Understanding Persecution
How has this passage challenged the way you think about persecution?
Responding Biblically
When you hear about other Christians suffering for their faith, what should your response be?
Prepared
How are you going to prepare yourself to establish and comfort suffering Christians (i.e. memorizing Scripture verses and promises, etc.…)?
Faith Tested
What is the basis of your faith? Do you turn away when things get rough like the seed in the thorny ground, or do you bring forth fruit consistently because you trust God even through suffering like the heart with good soil?
Wrapup
Closing
We hope this study has helped you understand how to encourage and support Christians who are facing persecution.
Feedback
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