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Preparing for the Sermon - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

September 20, 2023 Preparing for Sunday
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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

  • What is the tone of Paul’s message? What clues in the text support your idea?
  • What are the traditions that they were taught? See 2 Thess 2:15
  • In verse 11 what does ‘acting like busy bodies’ mean? How does this relate to ‘leading an undisciplined life?’
  • Is there a difference between exhort and command? Why might Paul use both words here?
  • Who does Paul direct the brethren to keep away from? Why?
  • How might this passage relate to church discipline? (Compare with 1 Cor. 5:1-13; Gal. 6:1-5)
  • What is the main goal of church discipline? Support your answer with scripture.

Prayerfully Meditate

  • Why would believers be disobedient to Paul’s teaching? What reasons do we give for not following commands in scripture?
  • Why did Paul command them to follow his example? Whose example was he following? (1 Cor 11:1) How are we to follow in Paul’s footsteps?
  • If Jesus Christ is called Lord in relation to the believers (v. 6 & 12), what does that insinuate about the brethren’s identity and need to obey? How might this compel our own obedience?
  • What is the role of the church members in church discipline? Are there other passages you could use to point to support this view? If so, which ones? Do you see yourself taking on that role if called upon?
  • What was Paul’s hope that disfellowshipping those Christians would produce in them? How were they to be treated after being removed from fellowship?
  • In what ways is laziness and a poor work ethic infiltrating your own life? What steps can you take to put these sins to death? What steps can you take to guard against laziness? How does/should your theology help motivate you to honor God in your work?