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 Thess 4:1-8. Recall the rules for spiritual growth laid out in 4:1-2. How does the will of God expressed in 4:3 relate to the commands and instructions referenced in v. 2?
• What is God’s will for believers according to v. 3? What is the specific area of focus for Paul under the umbrella of sanctification? What does the term sexual immorality encompass? Why do you think Paul focuses on this issue?
• How does Paul instruct the Thessalonian believers to abstain from sexual immorality in vv. 4-8? How should our thinking about and abstaining from sexual immorality be shaped by vv. 4-8?
• If we live in lust passion, what does this reveal about our relationship with God according to v. 5? How does sexual immorality defraud our brothers?
• How should our accountability to God shape our fleeing from sexual immorality in light of v. 6?
• What does the calling of God have to do with sexual immorality according to v. 7?
• Why does Paul mention the gift of the Holy Spirit in v. 8?

Prayerfully Meditate

• What is the main thing Paul communicates in this section?
• How do the ground rules for spiritual growth (vv. 1-2) impact our understanding and application of vv. 3-8?
• What is the sanctification Paul mentions in v. 3, 4, and 7? How have you been pursuing sanctification?
• How should these verses impact your thinking and living, particularly in regard to sexual sin?