Key Thought : Christians should be thankful for the way God’s grace can transform a person’s life and be encouraging to other growing Christians.

[Teaching plan for “Joyous and Thankful” July 23, 2012]

1. Have a volunteer read I Thessalonians 1:1-4.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. For what things is Paul giving thanks? How would these things be manifested in daily life?
C. Personal Application: What encouragement can you draw from the truth that God has chosen you for salvation? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “This text shows that God chooses some to be saved and some to be lost. We don’t have any choice in the matter. If God wants us, He’ll call us. If not, He won’t call and we won’t respond.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read I Thessalonians 1:5.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What three evidences in the lives of the Thessalonians did Paul indicate that they were right with God?
C. Personal Application: Do you know that you are right with God? How do you gain that assurance?
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How does one know the Holy Spirit is present and real in the church and in our lives? Is it because of the manifestation of power in the life? Is it because of assurance that we are right with God? How do we keep from deceiving ourselves?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read I Thessalonians 1:6,7.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What role should thanksgiving play in our worship experience: personally, and as a church? Share.
C. Personal Application: How far have you spread abroad the word of God with joy in the Holy Ghost?
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “What type of reputation does your church have in your community? What kind of reputation does it have throughout the world?” How do you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read I Thessalonians 1:8-10.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What two main doctrinal truths are found in these verses? Why are they crucial to the gospel and Christianity at large?
C. Personal Application: What does it mean to wait for His Son from heaven? What kind of waiting is Paul speaking of here? Why is the teaching that Jesus comes to us when we die so adverse to the Christian teaching of the gospel? Share.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

 (Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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