Disciple the Generations: Viral Faith
Introduction
BE STRENGTHENED BY GOD’S GRACE (v.1)
ENTRUST TO FAITHFUL PEOPLE (v.2)
SHARE IN THE SUFFERING (vv.3-6)
THINK AND CONSIDER PRAYERFULLY (v.7)
Conclusion
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 3:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 3:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
Mon, 28 November 2022
1-2 Thessalonians Revisited: Establishing the Walk
Observation:
What significant observations can you make about discipleship and
disciplemaking in these passages?
Deeper Reflection
IN THE 1970’S, WHEN I WAS A YOUNG BELIEVER AND DISCIPLED by a Navigator, 1 Thessalonians was seen as a letter of Paul on following up new and young believers, especially chapters 1 to 3, from which we could glean principles for disciplemaking. The Thessalonians were young believers whom Paul was forced to leave abruptly by strong opposition against him (Acts 17:1-9). They were left to fend for and feed themselves spiritually – and in adverse circumstances, facing persecutions and suffering afflictions (1 Thess 2:14; 3:4). Paul was fearful that they might fall apart spiritually and fall away from the faith under the onslaught of Satan (1 Thess 3:5).But the Thessalonians did not just survive spiritually but thrive, growing in “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope” (1 Thess 1:3). Faith, love and hope are fundamentals in the Christian life. And they are grounded in and grow out of a living relationship with God characterised by a consistent, faithful walk with God. The Thessalonians’ faith, love and hope were “growing abundantly” and “increasing” (2 Thess 1:3). Their abundant growth shows that Paul had laid a strong and firm foundation in their walk with God by discipling “each one of you” personally (1 Thess 2:12). The “word of God” that Paul fed them continued to be “at work” in them as they now fed themselves the living Word of God (1 Thess 2:13). And further and deeper disciplemaking took place when Timothy went to “establish and exhort you in the faith” (1 Thess 3:2).True discipleship will not stop there. It wants to give by discipling others.
IN THE 1970’S, WHEN I WAS A YOUNG BELIEVER AND DISCIPLED by a Navigator, 1 Thessalonians was seen as a letter of Paul on following up new and young believers, especially chapters 1 to 3, from which we could glean principles for disciplemaking. The Thessalonians were young believers whom Paul was forced to leave abruptly by strong opposition against him (Acts 17:1-9). They were left to fend for and feed themselves spiritually – and in adverse circumstances, facing persecutions and suffering afflictions (1 Thess 2:14; 3:4). Paul was fearful that they might fall apart spiritually and fall away from the faith under the onslaught of Satan (1 Thess 3:5).But the Thessalonians did not just survive spiritually but thrive, growing in “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope” (1 Thess 1:3). Faith, love and hope are fundamentals in the Christian life. And they are grounded in and grow out of a living relationship with God characterised by a consistent, faithful walk with God. The Thessalonians’ faith, love and hope were “growing abundantly” and “increasing” (2 Thess 1:3). Their abundant growth shows that Paul had laid a strong and firm foundation in their walk with God by discipling “each one of you” personally (1 Thess 2:12). The “word of God” that Paul fed them continued to be “at work” in them as they now fed themselves the living Word of God (1 Thess 2:13). And further and deeper disciplemaking took place when Timothy went to “establish and exhort you in the faith” (1 Thess 3:2).True discipleship will not stop there. It wants to give by discipling others.
Application:
How can I grow from discipleship to disciplemaking?
Prayer:
Lord, teach me the way of Your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep Your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my eyes away from worthless things and turn my heart toward Your statutes.43
Lord, teach me the way of Your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep Your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my eyes away from worthless things and turn my heart toward Your statutes.43
