Prepare your heart for the Sermon by looking through these suggestions that will assist you in making the most of our time together hearing God's Word.
You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.
Carefully Think
- Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and focus on verses 16-18 this week.
- Review and examine how these verses connect with chapter 4 and 5 as a whole.
- How do they connect to the theme of the letter, "grow in what you know"?
- What is the emphasis in verse 16 and what connection does it have to the verses prior?
- What is the transition into verse 17?
- What is the result in verse 18?
- How descriptive is Paul's language with regard to the Lord Jesus?
- Draw out some of those descriptive terms and list them out.
Prayerfully Meditate
- How does Paul continue to help the Thessalonians think through why they should have hope about those who have "fallen asleep in Jesus"?
- Why would the Thessalonians need this instruction from Paul to help them "grow in what they know" and be able to "comfort one another with these words?"
- Why would Paul's descriptive language help in giving hope and comfort?
- How does this give comfort?
- What focus do the Thessalonians have on the Lord's return and timing?