FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
Read it
1 Thessalonians 5:16-21
“16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-21)
Discover It
These verses are toward the end of a long letter that the apostle Paul wrote to a group of new Christians in the city of Thessalonica, a leading city in the Roman Empire at that time. These verses are a series of seven imperatives or commands. They are short, to the point, and direct. And they are valuable, not only for the Thessalonians, but for Christians all over the world today.
Ask It
1. The first three commands in verses 16 through 18 are to “rejoice always,” to “pray continually,” and to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Why do you think God commands us to do these things? How does it help you? How does it help others?
2. In verse 19, Paul commands these Christians, “Do not quench the Spirit.” What do you think in means to, “quench the Spirit?” What are some examples of quenching the Spirit? How can we keep from quenching the Spirit?
3. Paul also writes in verse 20, “Do not treat prophecies with contempt.” Prophecies refer to preaching and teaching where the speakers claim to speak for God and His Word. Paul then writes in verse 21 to not immediately reject these teachers with contempt, but to make sure to test them. How can we test a preacher or a teaching to make sure their message is authentic?
Live It
1. Rejoice Always! Even on the worst of days you can always rejoice in the Lord. If you have received Jesus as your Savior and Lord, your future is bright. You are saved!
2. Pray Without Ceasing! Why worry when you can pray? God is in control of everything. And prayer puts you in touch with His infinite resources of peace and provision.
3. Give Thanks in All Circumstances! Gratitude helps you reduce depression, increase your energy, and focus on others rather than yourself. As a Christian, we don’t give thanks “for” everything in this sinful world, but we can give thanks “in” all things. For, if you know Jesus, you have joined hands with the giver of all good gifts!
Pray It
Heavenly Father, I thank You for making me in Your image and likeness and giving me a unique purpose in life. I thank You for Your love that never fails me and Your grace that covers all my sins. I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins and to rise again to give me eternal life. Yet, I still need Your help each day to overcome the world. So please give me the wisdom to discern what is good and pleasing in Your sight. Please bless my family, friends, church, community, nation, and world with your peace. And I praise You for being worthy of all glory and honor forevermore. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit as I seek to follow You more closely every day, for nothing is impossible with You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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