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A SMALL GROUP STUDY1 THESSALONIANSTom HolladaydrivetimeD E V O T I O N S

1 THESSALONIANS:  A SMALL GROUP STUDYCopyright 2020 Tom Holladay and Saddleback ChurchAll rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced,stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form,without the written permission of Saddleback Church.CSR9186Published by Saddleback Church1 Saddleback ParkwayLake Forest, CA 92630www.saddleback.comUnless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLYBIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978,1984, 2011, by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.Scripture quotations noted NIV84 are from THE HOLY BIBLE,NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan.All rights reserved.Designer: Doug NewbryPage Layout Artist: Betty HopkinsCopyeditors: Erica Kang and Taylor Bird

CONTENTSABOUT DRIVETIME DEVOTIONSSMALL GROUP STUDIES . 4HOW TO USE THIS INTERACTIVE GUIDE . 6A FEW TIPS BEFORE YOU DIG IN . 7WEEK ONE . 10WEEK TWO . 14WEEK THREE . 17WEEK FOUR . 21WEEK FIVE . 24NEXT STEPS . 28

ABOUT DRIVETIME DEVOTIONSSMALL GROUP STUDIESWelcome to this special Drivetime Devotions, small groupstudy. This five-week study is designed so that you can enjoyDrivetime Devotions as a podcast throughout the week andthen talk about it with your small group. This will allow formore time in your small group for discussion, application,and fellowship.The purpose of Drivetime Devotions is to help you knowGod’s Word and put it into practice. Here at SaddlebackChurch, we believe it’s better to study small sections ofGod’s Word each day instead of a larger section once aweek. Studying the Bible is like eating—you’ll be healthierif you eat small amounts each day rather than one big meala week! Episodes are designed to be listened to once perday, five days a week. In the event you miss a day or two,you can still stay on schedule.4

ABOUT DRIVETIME DEVOTIONS SMALL GROUP STUDIESIn Drivetime Devotions, Pastor Tom Holladay teaches God’sWord and helps you put it into practice. With over 30 milliondownloads, Drivetime Devotions has built a reputationfor changing lives and helping people grow closer to God.There are three ways you can access this podcast studyon 1 Thessalonians:1. Click on the link at the start of each session of thisstudy guide.2. Download the Drivetime Devotions app to your phone ortablet. Go to “Devotions” and select “1 Thessalonians.”3. Go to LPFUL TIPDepending on your device settings, you may need toselect the play buttonor the unmute buttononthe Drivetime audio player when it is fully loaded.5

HOW TO USE THIS INTERACTIVESTUDY GUIDEThis study guide is designed to be used as a downloaded fileon your tablet or phone. You do not need to print it out unlessyou want to. Throughout the guide, you will see areas whereyou can type directly into the guide. There are also convenientlinks that direct you to external resources, including Scripturepassages on BibleGateway.com.HELPFUL TIPFor the best experience on Android platforms, please viewthis interactive study on Adobe Acrobat Reader DC .6

A FEW TIPS BEFORE YOU DIG INLISTEN repare yourself before each study by listeningPto each week’s five daily podcast episodes (oneper day).CHECKING IN pen each meeting with a time for everyoneOto check in on each other’s progress with thepodcast. Accountability is a key to success inthis study!KEY VERSE ach week you will find a key verse (or verses)Efrom the chapter you are studying. You may wantto memorize this verse together as a group.7

1 THESSALONIANS: A SMALL GROUP STUDYDISCOVERY QUESTIONS hese are questions for group discussion. PleaseTdon’t feel pressured to discuss every singlequestion. The material in this study is meant to beyour servant, not your master. Therefore there isno reason to rush through your discussions. Giveeveryone ample time to share their thoughts.Some questions will reference the verses fromwhich they are taken. Many groups will want tohave someone read those verses accompanyingthe question. There is something powerful abouthearing the Bible read aloud together as a group.LIVING ON PURPOSEThis section helps you encourage each otherin balancing God’s five purposes of evangelism,discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and worship.Each week, there will be a prayer, practicalaction, or personal assignment that focuseson one of these purposes.PRAYING TOGETHER t the end of each session you will findAsuggestions for your group prayer time. Prayingtogether is one of the greatest privileges of smallgroup life. Please don’t take it for granted.Get ready for God to do incredible things in yourlife as you begin the adventure of learning moredeeply about the most exciting message in theworld: the truth about God!8

A FEW TIPS BEFORE YOU DIG INTELL A FRIENDAs you go through each session, the Holy Spiritmay bring to mind different people in your life.You may even want to write their names downbeside a point, phrase, or verse in the margins.Take the opportunity to share God’s Word in afriend’s life during the week.DIVING DEEPERThis section contains supplemental resourcesto engage with throughout the week.9

WEEK ONE: 1 Thessalonians 1LISTEN lick on the links below to listen to the day ofC1 Thessalonians 1 that you are on.WEEK 1 . DAY 1WEEK 1 . DAY 2WEEK 1 . DAY 3WEEK 1 . DAY 4WEEK 1 . DAY 5Use this space below to type any notes or thoughts you may havehad while listening.10

WEEK ONECHECKING IN1.  If you are just starting together as a group, goaround the room and share your name, whereyou grew up, and something about your life.2.  The first and second letter to the Thessaloniansare written to newer believers, showing themhow to live the life that Jesus promised. Howdoes that make you look forward to a study ofthese books?KEY VERSEWe continually remember before our God andFather your work produced by faith, yourlabor prompted by love, and your enduranceinspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV84)DISCOVERY QUESTIONS1.  What does it mean to you to live in a “climate”of grace, peace, and thanksgiving? Verses 1–22.  What work is your faith producing, what laboris your love prompting, and what endurance isyour hope inspiring? Verse 33.  Do you ever struggle with knowing whetheror not you are truly saved? What strengthensyour assurance of God’s love? Verses 4–511

1 THESSALONIANS: A SMALL GROUP STUDY4.  Have you had an experience like theThessalonians, where “in spite of severesuffering, you welcomed the message withgreat joy”? Verses 5–85.  What are the idols that you have turnedfrom or must keep choosing to turn from?Verses 9–10LIVING ON PURPOSEWorshipTo deepen your assurance of God’s love, takesome time to read together some of the passagesin Scripture that most strongly give us thatassurance. Ask the group to share what versescome to mind. Here are a few to get you started: Romans 8:1 Psalm 46:1–3 John 10:27–30 Isaiah 54:10 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 Romans 8:37–39PRAYING TOGETHERPray for God to deepen your faith as your groupdoes this study.12

WEEK ONETELL A FRIENDLook back through the study guide above andhighlight a point, phrase, or verse that you wouldlike to share with somebody this week.DIVING DEEPER ive deeper this week withDTimothy Keller’s book CounterfeitGods: The Empty Promises ofMoney, Sex, and Power, and theOnly Hope That Matters to learnmore about idolatry in today’s world.13

WEEK TWO: 1 Thessalonians 2:1–16LISTEN lick on the links below to listen to the day ofC1 Thessanlonians 2:1–16 that you are on.WEEK 2 . DAY 1WEEK 2 . DAY 2WEEK 2 . DAY 3WEEK 2 . DAY 4WEEK 2 . DAY 5Use this space below to type any notes or thoughts you may havehad while listening:14

WEEK TWOCHECKING IN1.  After our study last week, have there beenany ways that you experienced an assuranceof God’s love?2.  Who are some people God has given you togive of yourself right now?KEY VERSEWe loved you so much that we were delightedto share with you not only the gospel of Godbut our lives as well, because you had becomeso dear to us.1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV84)DISCOVERY QUESTIONS1.  Paul tells the church in Thessalonica how hisministry was not based on things like impuremotives, manipulation, flattery, or praise frompeople. Instead, his ministry was based onthings that last (see 1 Corinthians 3:12–15).Is there something in this list that causes youto think about some changes you need tomake? Verses 1–62.  Is there something in the passage thatencourages you and confirms you are basingyour life on things that last? (e.g., courage, thegospel, pleasing God)? Verses 1–63.  How does God give you the strength to love,care for, and work hard for people? Verses 6–915

1 THESSALONIANS: A SMALL GROUP STUDY4.  Being holy, righteous, and blameless cansound like an impossible challenge. How haveyou seen God strengthen you to begin livingthat kind of life? Verses 10–12LIVING ON PURPOSEMinistryAs you end this study and pray together, prayfor those God has given your group care andinfluence over. Whether it’s people in yourfamily, church, school, neighborhood, or work—ask specifically that God would show his love tothem through you.PRAYING TOGETHERHave each person in your group share an areaof your life or ministry where you need encouragement to not give up. Take turns praying forthose areas.TELL A FRIEND ook back through the study guide above andLhighlight a point, phrase, or verse that you wouldlike to share with somebody this week.DIVING DEEPER ive deeper this week byDsubscribing to Daily Hope emailsfor daily encouragement in yourpursuit of faith and ministry!16

WEEK THREE: 1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:13LISTEN lick on the links below to listen to the day ofC1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:13 that you are on.WEEK 3 . DAY 1WEEK 3. DAY 2WEEK 3 . DAY 3WEEK 3 . DAY 4WEEK 3 . DAY 5Use this space below to type any notes or thoughts you may havehad while listening.17

1 THESSALONIANS: A SMALL GROUP STUDYCHECKING IN1.  How did you engage with last week’s Livingon Purpose?2.  When it comes to your emotional responses,would you consider yourself to be more of a“skunk” or a “turtle”?KEY VERSEMay the Lord make your love increase andoverflow for each other and for everyone else,just as ours does for you.1 Thessalonians 3:12DISCOVERY QUESTIONS1.  Describe a time when you have felt theemotion of intense longing while servingGod in ministry. Verses 2:17; 3:12.  Describe a time when you have felt theemotion of fear while serving God in ministry.Verse 3:53.  Describe a time when you have felt theemotion of encouragement while servingGod in ministry. Verses 3:6–74.  Describe a time when you have felt theemotion of stress while serving God inministry. Verses 3:3–4, 718

WEEK THREE5.  Describe a time when you have felt theemotion of joy while serving God in ministry.Verses 2:19–20; 3:8–96.  Which of the four encouragements for prayerwould you like to work on? Verses 3:10–13 Pray frequently. Pray earnestly. Pray specifically. Pray with the ultimate end in mind.LIVING ON PURPOSEFellowshipTake some time to talk about how you couldcontinuously support one another in theemotions we face as we serve others. What aresome practical ways you can share the highs andthe lows of ministry with each other? Somegroups might use text messaging, others a socialmedia group, and others partnering with anotherperson in the group for regular phone calls.PRAYING TOGETHERPray for God to strengthen you in the intenselonging, fear, and stress that you shared with oneanother during this group. And praise God for theencouragement and joy that he gives us.19