Your Setting Shapes Your Story

January 8, 2023

As we kick off a series through 1 Thessalonians, Ben Stuart introduces us to the context in which the letter was written and shows us how Paul’s words to the church in Thessalonica can still encourage us today.

“

"If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity. Find out what he makes of the thought of being God's child, of having God as his father."

”

J.I. Packer

Discussion Questions

No matter where you live, loneliness can be prevalent in your life. Where/when do you feel most lonely?
Ben Stuart was arrested by 1 Thessalonians 1:1, specifically by the prepositional phrase "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." What does the idea that you are IN God the Father mean to you?
In relation to the J.I. Packer quote, what does the thought of having God as a father make you feel in one word?
Ben Stuart told the story of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where a man with authority led him through locked door after locked door. Who are you counting on to open doors in your life? Is it you, through your own power, or have you trusted God Almighty and placed your confidence in his power?

Scripture References

1When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.

2As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

3explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said.

4Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.

5But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.

6But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here,

7and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”

8When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil.

9Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.

1Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.

2We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.

3We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ben Stuart

Ben Stuart is the pastor of Passion City Church D.C. Prior to joining Passion City Church, Ben served as the executive director of Breakaway Ministries on the campus of Texas A&M. He also earned a master’s degree in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Donna, live to inspire and equip people to walk with God for a lifetime.