Preparing for Sunday - 2 Thessalonians 1:3

November 28, 2013 by Bret Capranica Preparing for Sunday

Read 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12.
Make a list of characteristics you see that describe the spiritual life of the church of the Thessalonians.
How often does Paul find himself giving thanks for the Thessalonian church?
For what is he most thankful for in this church?
How does 1:3 describe their spiritual depth and its progress?
How does 1:3 describe their love for each other and its progress?

For what do you find yourself most thankful for in your church?
For what do you find yourself most challenged by in your church?
How do the characteristics you are grateful for and the challenges you face in your church match or depart from the sort of things Paul mentions?
How would you know that the faith of a church is growing or the love of every one for each other is increasing? What would this look like?
What would cultivate a deeper faith for a church? a deeper love for one another in a church? How could you pursue these things personally?

Make a list of characteristics about your church that are similar to what Paul expresses gratitude for and spend time in prayer giving thanks to God for them.
Make a list of challenges in your church that you can pray for. Use Paul's prayer in 2 Thessalonians 1:3 as a basis for how you could pray for these things.
Pray for those who will be attending this Sunday who are not Christians. Pray that they will see the gospel in the congregation, hear the gospel in the prayers and music, and be convicted by the gospel through the message on Sunday. Pray that they will respond in repentance and faith.
Pray for Christians who are present to be encouraged in their walk with Christ and convicted to continue living faithfully to Christ. Pray that believers will demonstrate mutual affirmation of one another this week in refreshing ways.
Pray for those who will be leading the service this Sunday, that they will serve in the most edifying way: Dawson Bryant, music; Brandon Ferguson, Elders' Prayer and Scripture Reading; Bret Capranica, teaching.
Listen to the music we will sing together and prepare your heart to sing with understanding and fervor this Sunday.