Living in the Last Days: A Study of Paul’s Letter to the Thessalonians
Week of Feb. 1: Living in the Last Days Strengthened and Encouraged – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
Are we living in the last days? Yes. And every day we are one day closer to Jesus’ return. So how do we live in the last days? We live with a faith that is strengthened and encouraged in the presence of difficulties standing firm in a faith that is growing and grounded in Christ
LIVE OAK CONNECTION POINT:
Celebrate baptisms next Sunday during all 3 services!
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Opening Questions…
Would you rather have very hot weather or very cold weather?
Who is someone you are thankful for as you see God working in them?
What is your first memory of or experience with the Bible?
What makes it difficult for you to engage with the Bible?
- READ: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13. Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other. Either way make as many observations as you can.
OBSERVATIONS: What are the things that stand out to you about this passage?
How would you summarize this passage in one sentence?
What does this passage tell me about who God is?
What does this passage tell me about who I am?
What does this passage tell me about how to impact others?
What does this passage tell me about how to handle and navigate suffering and adversity? - READ: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8. What trial is God using to strengthen my faith?
- What does enduring faithfully look like for you right now?
- READ: 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13. What stands out about Paul’s prayer?
- Doug said that “a big idea of Paul’s mission and impact was that Christ’s commission is to ‘make disciples’ and not just ‘make converts.’ We all need somebody as we follow Jesus. You need somebody and somebody needs you.” Who do you need? How can you be intentional about seeking them out and engaging with them?
- Who needs you? How can you be intentional about seeking them out and investing in them?
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon?
- APPLICATION: What is your big takeaway from this passage and this week’s sermon? Be specific.
NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we’ve learned. What’s your next step? Be specific.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
1 Thessalonians 3:13 “May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”
PRAYER: Encourage your group to pray this prayer often in 2026 & use to close your group time.
A 2026 Prayer for MORE: Ephesians 3:14-21
“Heavenly Father, Help me to engage with you MORE. Work in me to make me MORE like you. Use me to help MORE people know you. Make my story about your glory! Amen.”
Scripture References:
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20, 3:1-13; Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; Philippians 4:4-7