Menu

Preparing for the Sermon - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-16

October 4, 2023 by Toby Sutherland Preparing for Sunday
2 Thessalonians Sermon Image Square
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 instruction(s) is Paul referring to?  Skim the previous text of this letter as needed. 
  • Why are they not to associate with this person?  Was it a sin for that person to ignore the instruction(s) given or was that just a preference from Paul? 
  • What does it mean to “admonish” someone?  What does it involve?  Also see Romans 15:14, Colossians 1:28, 3:16. 
  • Why do you think Paul references the teaching only “in this letter” and not his teaching as a whole (letters to other churches).  Does this include his previous letter to this church? 
  • Why do you think Paul goes to the extreme of warning them not to treat him as an enemy?  How might some be tempted to treat a person when commanded not to associate with that person, even someone in their congregation?  
  • In what instances would bringing shame to a person be inappropriate, or even sinful?  In what instances could it be good and spiritually healthy? 
  • Are believers to have enemies?  See Luke 6:27, Acts 13:8-10, Phil 3:17-18, etc. 
  • Can there ever be “enemies” within the congregation? See Phil 3:17-19, James 4:4. 

Prayerfully Meditate

  • What do you think Paul wanted the result to be following the progression of his instructions in these verses?  What does vs. 16 indicate about this? 
  • What would need to happen in the heart and life of this brother being admonished to be reconciled to the congregation? 
  • Considering this letter was originally written to a specific local congregation (1:1), what do you think Paul specifically intended by “do not associate” with this person?  What limitations do you think this might have considering their commitment together as believers, as a local church?   
  • Is there anyone within the local church you choose to not associate with?  If so, why?  What about any believers outside your congregation?  What Biblical passages justify your reasons? 
  • Summarize this passage in 21 words or less.