1 Thessalonians Reading Plan – W3D4

Check out all the previous 1 Thessalonians readings here.

1 Thessalonians Reading | Week 3 | Day 4

Prayer

Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Ask God to give you His wisdom today.

Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

Read these verses three times slowly.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

Reflection & Questions

As Paul begins to close out his letter, he gives some instructions about how the church is to treat one another:

• Leaders: The leaders among them, “who care for you in the Lord and admonish you”, are to be respected and loved.
• Each other: The goal is peace. The Christian community is not to be marked with unnecessary or unresolved conflict. We are to be at peace with one another.
• The Idle and Disruptive: They are to be warned. This kind of lifestyle will not be tolerated inside a peaceful and missional community.
• The Disheartened: They are to be encouraged. For in Jesus there is always hope. There is always mercy. He loves us and so we can always lift each other up.
• The Weak: They are to be helped. The Christian community is to be one that looks after its own. No man or woman left behind. We are to look after those with genuine needs. We are to be known for our love.
• Everyone: We are to show everyone patience, and do good for them. Jesus was never flustered. He was never rude. He was never quick to anger. He was quick to listen. Always glad to be interrupted. Always helpful, merciful and generous. So we, like Him, are to be patient with everyone and do as much good as we can do.

Imagine a community like this? Wouldn’t this be so attractive? Don’t you think people would flock to be a part of it? This is the kind of community Jesus desires us to be! Let’s do this Crossroads!

1. Which of Paul’s statements challenges you today?
2. Does someone come to mind as you read this list? How might you respond to or help them today?

Prayer

Talk to God in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?