SOAR DISCUSSION GUIDE

LIVING WORTHWHILE LIVES (Book of 2 Thessalonians) 
Pastor Chee

Overview Video of 2 Thessalonians Through Right Now Media
Before studying the Word of God, it is important to gain an overview of the whole book. Our church has provided a 7 minute video resource through Right Now Media that you can watch as a lifegroup to gain an overview of the Book of Thessalonians. Click the link to watch the video – https://www.rightnow.org/Training/Post/View/165805

If you have not yet registered for this free equipping resource click here to register for this free resource – https://test.claytonchurch.org.au/project/rightnow-media/

Scripture
Read 2 Thessalonians 1

Observation
Choose one or more of the following questions:
– why was Paul boasting about the church in Thessalonica?
– what does the passage tell us about the return of Jesus? How does his return bring encouragement to the Christians at Thessalonica?
– what will God judge when Jesus returns?
– how do you feel and respond when you read vs 8-9? What implications does that have for you and for the people you know?
– what does it mean to live a life worthy of your calling (vs 11)?
– how does God help us live worthwhile lives (vs 11)?

Application
Ps Chee shared that the return of Jesus helps us live wortwhile lives by giving us:
1. Perspective – it is a gift to help us live today in a way that matters
2. Accountability – it confronts us that God is not accountable to me. I am accountable to God.
3. Hope – it empowers righteous living for the msision of God.

Choose one or more of the following questions:
– do you live your life with an eternal perspective? Share the resasons for your answer.
– Ps Chee shared three cultural distractions from living with an eternal perspective: YOLO (you only live once), the daiy grind and the seaons of life. Can you identify with some of these distractions? Give personal examples. How does this passage help you reorientat to an eternal perspective?
– share an experience of injustice in your life. How did you deal with it? How does knowing the coming judgment of God bring relief and change the way you respond to the injustice in your life?
– do you believe it is fair that God judges those who don’t know God and those who don’t obey the gospel with eternal destruction (vs 8-9)? Discuss.

Response
What is the one thing that the Lord has convicted you to obey from the Scripture today? Share with one another and pray.

Please continue to also pray in your lifegroup for wisdom and discernment for the Senior Pastor Search Committee as they search for the Senior Pastor of God’s choosing.

Next week – please read 2 Thessalonians 2 in preparation for this Sunday.