Living In Light of Christ’s Return

#3 Stand Firm In The Faith 

Lead/Founding Pastor:  Ryan Rice

Thursday, May 2nd, 2024

Sunday, May 5th, 2024

THE PASSAGE 

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13, ESV

1. Stand Firm TOGETHER in the Faith. (vs.1-5)

2. Stand Firm on God’s WORD. (vs. 6-8)

3. Stand Firm in PRAYER.(vs.9-12)

4. Stand Firm in ANTICIPATION of His Second Coming. (vs.13)

TALK IT OVER 

1. Share a funny or memorable experience you've had with a toddler who was still learning to stand. Did you ever witness a top-heavy toddler trying to run around before mastering the art of standing upright? Tell us about it!"

2. Pastor Ryan taught the idea of standing firm in faith. Take a few minutes to look up some of the following passages and discuss their importance in today's time. (1 Corinthians 16:13, 2 Corinthians 1:24, Galatians 5:1, Ephesians 6:13, Philippians 4:1,      1 Thessalonians 3:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:15)

3. Take a minute to review how the Apostle Paul references the word “Establish” in 1 Thessalonians 3:2, ESV and 3:13, ESV, and how this relates to the idea of
“Standing Firm,” as mentioned earlier. 

4. Take a minute to review the sermon outline and read  1st Thessalonians, ch. 3. 

5. In what ways does Paul emphasize the importance of support among believers in 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5? And why do you think he sent Timothy his leader?

6. Why is it so important to stand together in the faith? (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 1Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:24-25).

7. Reflecting on 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, how can we actively support and encourage one another in our walk of faith, especially during challenging times? (Galatians 6:2)

8. We learned about the importance of standing firm on God's Word. The Thessalonians “received the word of God” and lived it out. Take A minute to review some of the passages and discuss the importance of standing firm on God's word and what that looks like in today's time. (Psalm 119:105, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13) 

9. In what ways does standing firm on God's Word serve as a foundation for our spiritual growth and maturity?

10. Discuss the significance of prayer in strengthening our faith and fostering fellowship with other believers, as highlighted in 1 Thessalonians 3:9-12. See also (James 5:16, 1 Thessalonians  5:16–18, Philippians 4:6-7)

11. What role does prayer play in your daily life? How do you prioritize prayer, and have you ever experienced a significant answer to prayer? Take a minute to review first Thessalonians 3:9-12 and discuss what Paul was praying for and how we can apply that in our lives today.

12. Take a minute to look up some of the passages on prayer and share what sticks out to you and why.  (1 Thessalonians  5:16–18, Philippians 4:6-7, James 5:16, 1 Timothy 2:1-4)

13. How does the anticipation of Christ's second coming, as described in 1 Thessalonians 3:13, motivate believers to live with hope and perseverance in their faith journey?

14. How does the hope of Christ's return impact our perspective on suffering and trials? (Matthew 24:42, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 22:20, Hebrews 10:24-25)