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engageThe Bible gives us the big picture of God’s plans for us.In this issue of engage we’ll see humans try to mess up thoseplans, but we’ll also see Jesus triumphing once andfor all. And we have thought-provoking articles to helpyou make decisions, pray as you learn and share the gospel.9 DAILY READINGSEach day’spage throws you into the Bible, toget you handling, questioning andexploring God’s message to you —encouraging you to act on it and talkto God more in prayer.THIS ISSUE: Encouraging wordsfrom 1 Thessalonians; amazingadventures in Judges; the missioncontinues in Acts; darkness and lightin Lamentations; and wait for God’sday with Zephaniah.9 TAKE IT FURTHER If you’rehungry for more at the end of anengage page, turn to the Take itfurther section to dig deeper.9REAL LIVES True stories,revealing God at work in people’slives. This time — the man whofought to abolish legal slavery.9TRICKY tackles those mindbendingly tricky questions thatconfuse us all, as well as questionsour friends bombard us with. Thistime: Isn’t living a good lifeenough?9ESSENTIAL Articles on thebasics we really need to know aboutGod, the Bible and Christianity. Thisissue, we look at what the Bible saysabout Jesus, the man.9STUFF Articles on stuff relevantto the lives of young Christians. Thisissue: Making big decisions.9TOOLBOX is full of toolsto help you understand the Bible.This issue we concentrate on prayingabout what you’ve read.All of us who work on engage arepassionate to see the Bible atwork in people’s lives. Do youwant God’s word to have animpact on your life? Then openyour Bible, and start on the firstengage study right now.1

HOW TO USEengage1 Set a time you can read the Bible every day2 Find a place where you can be quiet and think3 Grab your Bible, pen and a notebook4 Ask God to help you understand what you read5 Read the day’s verses with engage, taking time to think about it6 Pray about what you’ve readBIBLESTUFFWe use the NIV Bible version, so you might find it’s the best one to use with engage.If the notes say “1 Thessalonians 2 v 5–13”, look up 1 Thessalonians in thecontents page at the front of your Bible. It’ll tell you which page the book startson. Find chapter 2 of 1 Thessalonians, and then verse 5 of chapter 2 (the versenumbers are the tiny ones). Then start reading. Simple.In this issue.DAILY READINGSARTICLES1 Thessalonians: Ready forJesus?STUFFMaking big decisions 16Judges: Heroes and zeroesActs: To be continued.Lamentations: Down but notoutZephaniah: God’s dayESSENTIALJesus — God or man? 40TOOLBOXPray as you learn 60REAL LIVESFighting slavery 84TRICKYGood enough for God? 96WHO TO BLAME FOR ENGAGEWords and Bible stuff: Martin Cole Cassie Martin Carl Laferton Helen ThornePics and design: Steve DevaneProof-reading and heresy-spotting: Anne Woodcock Nicole CarterThe buck stops here: Martin Cole (martin@thegoodbook.co.uk)2

1 ThessaloniansReady for Jesus?When Paul and Silas first visitedthe bustling port of Thessalonica,things didn’t exactly go toplan. As usual, Paul went tothe synagogue and told peopleabout Jesus Christ. Many peoplebecame Christians, but the localJews went haywire, started ariot and chased Paul and Silasout of town.Despite this violent opposition, thechurch in Thessalonica grew. Paulwrote this letter to the Christiansthere, to encourage them to stick atit and to make sure they didn’tgive up or listen to any of the falseteaching that surrounded them.So who is this letter for?New Christians – If you’ve not beena Christian long and are still fired upabout it, this book is packed withadvice and teaching just for you.then read on. Paul was writing toChristians who were wobbling in theirfaith and needed to be put straighton a few things.Strong Christians – Maybe you’vebeen a Christian for years. Paulencourages such believers to getserious about God and about livingfor Him. It’s time to sink your teethinto Paul’s teaching, so you’re readyfor Jesus when He returns.Non-Christians – If you’re not aChristian or aren’t sure if you are,1 Thessalonians will put you straight.It outlines what Christianity is allabout and why Jesus died and wasraised back to life. It also tells uswhat life will be like as a Christian.Whatever stage you’re at, askGod to speak to you throughthis challenging and eye-openingletter. He will!Finding it tough – If the Christianlife is really hard for you, andyou’re wondering if you can go on,3

Acts 17 and 1 Thessalonians 1 v 1–3READINGChristianity in conflict1The big city of Thessalonica had it all — sun, sea,sand and Caesar in charge. By the time Paul andSilas left, it was a story of synagogues, Scripture,scuffles and skedaddling.; Read Acts 17 v 1–10ENGAGE YOUR BRAINE What did Paul preach about? (v3)E What positive response did hereceive? (v4)E What did the Jews do? (v5–9)E Why? (v5)Paul preached that Jesus is the Christand the King of everything. He saidit was no accident that He died onthe cross — and that He’d comeback from death. Paul, Silas andtheir friend Timothy had to leaveThessalonica and split up becauseof the trouble from the violent mob.When they met up again, Paul foundout how the young Thess’ Christianswere doing, and decided to dropthem a line.; Read 1 Thessalonians 1 v 1–3E What should inspire growingChristians to work hard for Godand stick with it? (v3)It’s important to pray for otherChristians, thanking God for themand asking Him to help them grow intheir faith. Verse 3 also challenges ourmotives for serving God. Do you dogood stuff to look impressive? Is it justduty? Or does your service spring fromfaith, hope and love?PRAY ABOUT ITAsk God to change your heart so youserve Him for the right reasons. AskHim to help your hard work springfrom faith in Him, love for Him and thecertain hope of eternity with Jesus.THE BOTTOM LINEServe God for the right reasons. TAKE IT FURTHERPraytime — turn to page 108.4

1 Thessalonians 1 v 4–10 READING2Word powerThessalonica was a tough place to be a Christian. Manyother gods were worshipped, and much false religion wastaught. And the Jews persecuted anyone who publiclyfollowed Christ. And you think you’ve got it tough.; Read 1 Thess 1 v 4–6E How should Christians’ liveschange? (v9)ENGAGE YOUR BRAINE How does Paul describe thesebelievers? (v4)E What should Christians be doingnow? (v10)E How did the gospel messagereach them? (v5)Verse 10 mentions God’s wrath.He’s angry with people for turningaway from Him. But v10 also saysthat those who trust in Jesus will berescued from God’s future judgment.Great news!E How did they receive it? (v6)Christians today share in theThessalonians’ experience. Allbelievers have been chosen by Godand are loved by Him. The messageof Jesus comes to us with words(explaining the gospel), with power(from God, challenging us), with theHoly Spirit (helping us understandit) and with conviction (from peopleconvinced of the gospel). We shouldtry to live like those who shared thegospel with us, and receive it with joy.; Read verses 7–10E What was remarkable aboutthese Christians? (v8)GET ON WITH ITE How can the Lord’s messagering out (v8) from you?PRAY ABOUT ITAsk God to help you turn away fromthe idols in your life; and to shout outHis message all around you; and towait and be ready for Jesus’ return. TAKE IT FURTHERImitation Engage on page 108.5

READING 1 Thessalonians 2 v 1–123Fair sharePaul and Silas had fled from Thessalonica fearing fortheir lives. But it wasn’t a hit-and-run gospel attack fromPaul. He stayed in touch with the Christians in that city,encouraging them and seeing them grow in their faith.; Read 1 Thess 2 v 1–6ENGAGE YOUR BRAINE How was Paul able to sharethe gospel in such hostilecircumstances? (v2)E What shouldn’t we do whenwe share the gospel? (v3–5)E What should be our motive? (v4)Talking to people about Jesus canoften be a tricky task in the faceof angry opposition. We shouldn’tbe tempted to resort to trickery orflattery. We must tell it how it is,doing it to please God, not out ofselfish motives.; Read verses 7–12E What did Paul and friends dowhile in Thessalonica? (v8–9)E How did they treat the peoplethey met? (v7, v11)E What did this involve? (v12)6As Christians, we have a responsibilityto share the gospel — the good newsabout Jesus. That doesn’t merelymean talking about Jesus: we mustalso live in a way that honours God(v10). We shouldn’t bash peopleover the head with Bible truths, butbe loving and caring towards them.Sharing our lives with them, as wellas the gospel. Being a Christian is awhole lifestyle — living for God —it’s not hit-and-run Bible bashing.God wants us to comfort people andencourage them to live for Him (v12).GET ON WITH ITE How will you change the way youshare the gospel and the way youbehave around non-Christians?E Who will you comfort, encourage,& share your life with this week?THE BOTTOM LINEIt’s all about pleasing God, notmaking a name for ourselves. TAKE IT FURTHERGet your fair share on page 108.

1 Thessalonians 2 v 13–16 READING4Word’s worth“I’m scared of sharing my faith with people.Why should anyone listen to my words and beliefs?”The great news is that it’s not our words that bringpeople to Jesus.; Read 1 Thess 2 v 13–14ENGAGE YOUR BRAINE What did these guys recogniseabout the message Paul gavethem? (v13)E What’s the proof they’d acceptedthe truth about Jesus? (v14)It’s not our words that changepeople’s lives. It’s true that God canuse us to do amazing things. But it’sHis word — the awesome messageof Jesus — that changes lives, notanything we do.E Would God tolerate this?The enemy can seem terrifying attimes. Satan inspired a group of Jewsto kill Jesus; he stirred up people todestroy the church in Thessalonica;and he wants to stop you fromspreading the gospel. But God’s incontrol — His punishment (wrath) willcome to anyone who fights againstthe gospel (v16). When oppositionseems to much for us, we mustremember that God is on our sideand He will defeat His enemies.THINK IT THROUGHE How do v13–16 encourage you?If someone truly accepts the gospel,we’ll see it at work in their lives.We’ll see them living for God, justas other believers do.; Read verses 14–16E What did these enemies of Goddo? (v14–16)E What were they trying to stop?(v16)E How will this affect the way youshare the gospel?THE BOTTOM LINEIt’s not down to us; it’s God whochanges lives and punishes sin. TAKE IT FURTHERWords of wrath on page 108.7

READING 1 Thessalonians 2 v 17 – 3 v 55Missing peopleIs there anyone you’re far away from, who you wishyou could spend more time with? Paul missed theseyoung Christians and wished he was with them.; Read 1 Thess 2 v 17–20ENGAGE YOUR BRAINE Why was Paul so keen on visitingthese believers? (v19–20)E What stopped him? (v18)Paul suffered loads for spreadingthe message about Jesus. But heknew it was more than worth it —he would be rewarded with eternallife with Jesus. And he took greatjoy in knowing these Christians inThessalonica would share in it too,despite all the odds against them.; Read 1 Thess 3 v 1–5E Why did Paul send Timothyto them? (v2–3)E Why shouldn’t they worry aboutPaul? (v3–4)E What had Paul been worriedabout? (v5)When someone becomes a Christian,8we can’t just leave them to it andexpect them to grow and mature.Young Christians need to beencouraged, taught and helpedthrough tough times, so they growand aren’t tempted away from Jesus.GET ON WITH ITE Which younger Christians will youget alongside and encourage?E Which older Christian can you askto do the same for you?It’s no good simply hoping for thebest, or leaving it to God to look afternew Christians. If we care like Paul,we won’t be able to rest until we’resure all is well.PRAY ABOUT ITSpend time praying for youngChristians you know. How aboutsending them an encouraging emailor visiting them?. TAKE IT FURTHERGet emotional on page 108.