Slices
Prepare
Today’s reading is about good news. The good news of Jesus is the best news of all. Thank the Lord for all he has done for you.
Bible passage
Timothy’s encouraging report
6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 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.
Explore
Timothy brought Paul good news. The Thessalonians continued to grow in faith and love (v 6). Paul took the good news of Jesus to the Thessalonians. Now Timothy’s report is good news for Paul. The longing to see each other was obviously mutual (v 6). No doubt the encouragement was mutual too (v 7).
Verse 8 conveys the importance the Thessalonians’ ongoing faith had for Paul. Put yourself in his shoes. What did he mean by this? He was revitalised by knowing that the Thessalonians were standing firm despite tough tests. Verse 9 shows how much this meant to Paul. He asks how he can give thanks for all the joy he has received because of them. Look at verse 10 to discover how he answers his own question.
In verses 11–13 Paul prays three things for the Thessalonians. Identify what those three things are. In verse 12 Paul indicated that it is only the Lord Jesus who can help Christians to love each other. They were not to lose sight of that, however hard the pressure became. We see the third thing Paul prayed in verse 13. His focus is on the state of their lives when Jesus returns.
Respond
In the light of Paul’s prayer, how can we pray for ourselves in our own walk with Jesus? Take a few moments to think about that before you pray.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ezekiel 28,29; 1 Peter 5
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Trevor Ranger at Mission Partner Synergy Christian Trust this November as he leads Game Changers, a children’s club in Chippenham. This will give Trevor an opportunity to explore the Bible further with children he meets while leading assemblies in local schools.