Habits of a Healthy Church

Passage

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Sermon Summary

Paul's conclusion to 1 Thessalonians is packed with practical wisdom. His benediction in v. 23-24 captures its purpose: That we would be completely sanctified, blameless when Jesus returns, and confident that "he will do it." To help us participate in this process, Paul commends six habits: 1) Love your leaders, 2) Customize your care, 3) Win by losing, 4) Verbalize Godward trust, 5) Test everything, and 6) Risk getting close.

Discussion Questions (choose any—you don't have to answer them all!)

1. [Optional starter question] What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. In what specific area do you hunger for God to renovate your life more completely?
3. Which of the six habits do you especially want to grow in? What one practical step can you take this week?
4. Discuss your relationship with church leaders. How can you "esteem them very highly in love for their work"?
5. The pastor claimed that Jesus is the GOAT of customized love. Can you think of an example of this from the Gospels?
6. Is there a relational conflict you are going through that you can "win by losing"?
7. What group or "tribe" of people do you tend to assume are always wrong? How can you "test" everything instead?
8. Is it hard for you to risk getting close to people?  Why or why not?

Prayer Prompts

• Thank you, Father, for  __________ (anything and everything, however big or small!)
• Forgive me, Jesus, for __________ (any failure to follow his pattern for the church)
• Change me, Lord, in ___________ (area of my life that needs sanctification)

Resources Consulted

• Africa Bible Commentary, ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo
• True to Our Native Land, ed. Bryan K. Blount
• The New Testament in Color, ed. Esau McCauley
• Thessalonians for Everyone, NT Wright
• Cornerstone Commentary on 1 Thessalonians, Philip W. Comfort
• The Bible Speaks Today Commentary on 1 Thessalonians, John Stott
• IVP Commentary on 1 Thessalonians, GK Beale
• Tyndale Commentary on 1 Thessalonians, Leon Morris
• How Church Could (Literally) Save Your Life, Rebecca McLaughlin
• Living into Community, Christine Pohl
• The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, Lesslie Newbigin
• The Shift from Individualism to Mob Identity, Alan Noble

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