II THESSALONIANS 3:1-18 Lesson # 8
WATCHING THE RIGHT EXAMPLE
I. Greetings:
II. Introduction:
Note: Our lesson today is entitled “Watching the Right Example”. Like a good pastor, or a good parent Paul worries who is influencing those he loves so dearly. Paul is aware that there are good examples and influences and there are negative examples or influences on us as Christians. His desire is to help the Thessalonians focus on the proper examples. He knows how much this will affect them. Before we look at Paul and the Thessalonians let us take a moment to look at those who have influenced us….
Q Who is the person you look-up to most for a Christian example?
An = Write this name down. Think of details as to why we have such respect for this person.
Note: Our chapter opens with a prayer request. Before Paul discusses “influences” he makes a simple request, a prayer request. What is interesting is how this “simple” request gets added to and reveals a great deal of the heart of the apostle Paul or any good leader for that matter.
III. Prayer Request For the Rapid Spread and Glorification of Jesus’ Word: II Thess. 3:1-5.
>>>> Have someone read II Thessalonians 3:1
Q For whom does Paul request prayer?
An = For himself and his team. Wise leaders know that they succeed only with the power and strength of people praying for them. Paul ends many of his letters asking for prayer: I Thessalonians 5:25; Romans 15:39 ff; Philemon 22.
Q Do we pray for our pastors and leaders? Why is it important that we do?
An = As a pastor I can since how much prayer has gone into a service. Many times it must come from the people, not just the pastor. There is a power for good that pervades a room when it has been bathed in prayer.
Q What is the specific prayer request that Paul has for himself and the rest of the workers with him? What does Paul want the Thessalonians to pray about?
An = That the Gospel would spread rapidly and gloriously just as it did among them. Paul is giving them a back-handed compliment here and he is also sharing with the Thessalonians the issue that is dearest to his heart: “that men and women encounter and understand the glorious truth of Jesus Christ.”
>>>> Have someone read II Thessalonians 3:2.
Q What is Paul asking for in this verse?
An = Deliverance from wicked and evil men. He is making a very practical request. He knows that humans will attack and attempt to hinder his work.
Note: Paul was aware that the righteous leaders would be persecuted. Paul himself was beaten and almost killed many times in the cities he preached in. When we really do the right thing there is going to be human opposition. Jesus was attacked and hassled all through His ministry. The records of such attacks comprise a large part of the Gospel records. Of course, Jesus was finally tortured and killed for His preaching even though He was completely innocent. Even when Jesus was born Herod attempted to kill Him.
Q Who attacked and hassled Paul and Jesus the most?
An = It came from many sources, but the majority of the attacks came from “those who believed in the One true God”. Jews had the highest and most wonderful belief system in the world. Jesus and Paul were rejected “by His own”! Today it is reasonable to expect that the greatest opposition to the true teaching of Jesus’ Word will come from “those who believe in God today”. It will come from those who go to church!!
Q What does Paul predict in verse 2?
An = That not all men will come to faith. Not all opposition will stop. Some men will refuse to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ by faith. They will remain wicked and evil human beings. Paul believed men could come to Christ, but he was also aware that many would not.
Some people will believe in God and go to church but never have faith! It is often these people who will oppose genuine teaching about our Lord.
>>>> Have someone read II Thessalonians 3:3-5.
Q Paul started asking for prayer for his deliverance, but winds-up concerned about whose protection?
An = Paul ends his prayer request trying to assure and aid the Thessalonians. Like a true pastor Paul starts out asking for help, but mentions their needs.
Q According to verse 3 what is Paul’s source of confidence?
An = His confidence is in the faithfulness of the Lord. His confidence is in the Lord’s character.
What Paul is also confident about is that the Thessalonians themselves will trust in the Lord, going deep into God’s love and into the steadfastness of Christ for themselves. That is where their true safety lies.
Note: It seems arrogant of Paul to imply that following what the apostle had taught them was what would lead them to the love and steadfastness of Christ, but none-the-less it was true. We must follow true leaders who lead us to Christ.
What Paul commanded them to do is much like what a good parent would command, that which is true and best for those they love. Paul knows they had to listen to what the apostles taught not because they taught it, but because it was true.
However, not everyone who tries to influence us cares about us like the apostle Paul, that is what concerns Paul in the next set of verses….
IV. Stay Away From Undisciplined People: II Thessalonians 3:6-15.
>>>> Have someone read II Thessalonians 3:6
Note: Our familiar word, “brethren” is used here as it was in 3:1 and will be used again in 3:13. Paul is speaking authoritatively in this chapter but always to brothers, always to those he loves and feels a part of.
Q Who are the Thessalonians to avoid?
An = Those who are idle, who do not follow the teachings of the apostles. William Barclay says the greek word here means to “play truant”, some there were truant from duty (Barclay, p. 252). Barclay says some could have been waiting for the Second Coming by being idle in their anticipation.
>>>> Have someone read II Thessalonians 3:7-10.
Note: Paul now sets out a counter example. If anyone believed in the Second Coming of Christ it was the ministry team of Paul, but they lived as a counter example to the one some Thessalonians had chosen.
Q What was Paul and his team’s example?
An = They were disciplined, they worked for their living and paid their own way. True, they make it clear in verse 9 that they had a right to be paid for their teaching but rather they wanted to set an example of hard work for the folks they loved so well.
Q What do you think of verse 10?
An = What is your opinion?
Q Is such an attitude towards work healthy for young people to adopt today? If so why?
An = When children do not work the grow up less able to face life and succeed in it.
Note: The Bible has great respect for work and that includes, especially includes work with our hands. “All honest work is honorable.” Those who work clearing tables, or settling law cases are working, and we should respect them all.
Q Did Adam work in the Garden of Eden before the Fall or only after the Fall as a curse for his sin?
An = Man was made to work and he worked before the Fall (Genesis 2:15). Work became harder after mankind sinned but work was a good thing in the “paradise” before sin.
>>>> Have someone read II Thessalonians 3:11-12.
Q According to verse 11 what has the lack of being busy, led such people to become?
An = They have become “busy-bodies”. Man was made to work. People who will not work open themselves up to activities that harm others.
Q What does Paul say to those who are not working?
An = He does not attack them but rather commands them to work and provide for their own livelihood. Paul wants them to change, not be damned. This will become even more apparent as we continue to read.
>>>> Have someone read II Thessalonians 3:13.
Q Do you ever get discouraged from working hard when others dodge their responsibilities?
An = It is easy to get disheartened when others do not carry out their duty. This can happen morally, at the work place, at church, etc. Paul wants the Thessalonians not to let these bad examples set the tone for them. He says, “Do not get weary….” It is so easy to do so.
>>>> Have someone read II Thessalonians 3:14-15.
Q What is Paul’s attitude towards those men who disregard Paul’s teaching, or Paul’s example? How does Paul refer to them?
An = Paul disagrees with them, but they are still his brothers. He does not want to condemn them but to help them improve. They are not enemies, but errant brothers. Paul hits hard and directs his disapproval sharply, but he never loses sight of the brother status of those who have disregarded his example and teaching.
Q Do you help a child if you do not correct them when they are doing things that are wrong and that will hurt them?
An = No, you hurt a child if you do not correct. “Whom the Lord loves He corrects”, Job 5:17, Psalms 94:12, Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:5-11.
Q Why does Paul want them to avoid, and not to associate with their errant brothers?
An = So they become ashamed and change. Paul hopes they will comply. A key ability to live the Christian life is correctability.
>>>> Have someone read II Thessalonians 3:16-18.
Note: Paul closes his letters with a personal greeting, and personal signature, and ends as he has opened his letters by wishing them two great things: grace and peace. He knows they have no hope without God’s grace and that their greatest joy is in peace, or fellowship with their Lord. Paul wants the very best for the people he loves.
Homework:
Although our study is over, we do have one last homework assignment. It is optional, but it might be a wonderful task to perform. We opened our lesson speaking of those who have been good examples to us in the faith. Perhaps not all of you shared as much as you would have liked to, so….
Take some time and share with those very people who have been such good examples to you. Call them or write them. If they have passed on, let their relatives know. It would delight them to get such a letter or call. It is good to remember those who have loved and served us so well with their example. It is also good to express it. >>> Proverbs 27:5