Key Thought : God’s plan to redeem the world is accompanied by an invitation to become a part of His community of believers.

[Teaching Plan for “Friends Forever”  August 6. 2012]

1. Have a volunteer read I Thessalonians 2:13-16.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. When you joined the church, did you expect opposition? Were you expectations met or was there no trouble? Where did most of your opposition come from?
C. Personal Application: Is there any lingering ethnic prejudice, animosity, or reluctance to work with any other group of people? How can we positively deal with this challenge?
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How do we deal with religious leaders from other denominations that go out of their way to thwart, defeat, or minimize our efforts in sharing the gospel with people in the community?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read I Thessalonians 2:17-20.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why did Paul blame Satan for his inability to revisit the church at Thessalonica?
C. Personal Application: Do we blame Satan for our inability to do certain things we desire to do for ourselves or for God? Or do we resign ourselves that it must be God’s will that we don’t so those things? What would be the discerning factors?
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How close are you in personal relationship with the members of your church? Are there any you consider your glory and joy because of their presence in the church?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read I Thessalonians 3:1-5.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What are things we can do, day by day, to spiritually prepare us for the trials that life brings us?
C. Personal Application: How do we respond to daily trials normally? Does it reveal our inward faith and trust, or does it reveal our unpreparedness or our shock when things go wrong? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “How important is it for you to have strong ties with church members in facing trials and adversities? When you are in hardship, do you deal with it by yourself, or do you share the burden with others for help and prayer?” How do you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read I Thessalonians 3:6-10.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How often do your pray? Has it become a routine, a broken habit, or is there a heartfelt, fervent energy to your prayers? Share.
C. Personal Application: Who or what are you praying for in your church? How has prayer increased your faith?.
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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