22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.  24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?  27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!  29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.  30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.  31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.  32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Discussion Question

Previously in chapters 11 and 12, Jesus warns the Pharisees, the teachers of the Law, and everyday Israelites about specific impediments to their belief in him. 

Jesus is now speaking to his disciples.   He is warning them of obstacles that could possibly prevent them from fully entering into the kingdom. 

What are these obstacles and what remedies does he counsel?

Discussion Summary

To fully understand Jesus’ teaching in these verses other scriptures were reviewed:

• Matthew 6:29-34, a parallel passage
• Job 38:39-41, a reference to God’s care over animals
• Proverbs 6:6-11, a fable on the importance of providing what is needed
• 1 Kings 17:8-16, a story showing God provides in response to a generous spirit
• 1 Kings 17:1-7, a story showing how God provides in response to faith

The obstacles disciples encounter are mindsets that take them away from their primary focus on God’s Kingdom.  These can be a desire for riches which can consume your mind.  Believers can compare themselves to others who have more things and they can “run after” those things which perpetuates more and more desire for more and more things.  This can also result pride and arrogance and a disinclination to share what they have with others.  This can drive away their peace and create anxiety.  Poverty can have the same consuming effect on the heart and mind.  Proverbs 30:8,9

Jesus is telling his disciples that they must be detached from material possessions.  Believers must change the tenor of their mind – the underlying emotional quality of their thinking.  Jesus expects us to undergo a transformational attitude of heart.

In order to achieve this transformation God has promised:

• Proverbs 16:3, His help if we commit our ways to Him
• Isaiah 41:10, His own strength to augment our weakness
• Philippians 4:19, to  supply our NEEDS

How to achieve this transformation:

• Colossians 3:1-4, Focus your heart on the right things
• James 4:13-16, Acknowledge your inability to control situations
• 1 Timothy 6:17-9, Understand what are the true riches in your life

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1 Thessalonians 2 ESV

1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last! 17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Discussion Questions

Describe Paul’s ministry when he first came to Thessalonica.

Paul draws parallels between the brethren in Judea and the brethren in Thessalonica.  Why does he do this?

Personal Application:  How do we show the same care to the brethren today that Paul had to the brethren in Thessalonica?

Discussion Summary

Paul came to Thessalonica after being beaten and humiliated in Philippi (Acts 16:22-39. He himself had once persecuted believers (Acts 9:1,2), but now he was receiving the same treatment.  Because Paul knew that God wanted him to bring the gospel to the Macedonian region (Acts 16:9,10), he did not allow that experience to stop him from preaching boldly in Thessalonica. 

His preaching was effective because many people were drawn to his teaching.  This caused the religious leaders to become jealous (Acts 17:5).  Paul reminded the Thessalonian brethren that he was not trying to be popular or a leader of men when he preached.  That this was an accurate description of his ministry is shown by the fact that when he left, the brethren remained true to the gospel.

Paul’s ministry was very loving and gentle.  He described his relationship to the Thessalonians as family.  He treated them as if they were his own children.  He never wanted to be a burden to them.  He only wanted to be a help to them.

The Thessalonian brethren were experiencing great persecution.  Paul encouraged them by reminding them that all Christians experience opposition (John 15:20; Luke 6:22).  Jesus’ teaching was the “new wine” that when put into old wineskins cause the skins to burst.  (Matthew 9:17). In other words, anyone who is satisfied with the present life and the current situation of world events is going to be opposed to something different, even if it is better.  Unfortunately, even fellow Christians can be in opposition to us if our lifestyles have changed more than theirs, or if our beliefs do not line up with theirs.

Therefore, we want to be like Paul and the brethren in Thessalonica.  We do not want to assume a superior attitude to other believers.  We want our lives to be genuine.

We also want to give of ourselves to fellow Christians.  We want to help brethren in a gentle, comforting way and rejoice in their growth and development.

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1 Thessalonians 1 ESV

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Discussion Questions

Background:  Describe Paul’s interaction with the brethren in Thessalonica.

How were the brethren in Thessalonica doing since Paul left?

Personal Application:  We live in such different times and circumstances than these brethren.  How were their lives an example to us?

Discussion Summary

Paul and Silas first went to Thessalonica on a missionary journey.  Paul had a dream that a man from the region had urged him saying “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  (Acts 16:4)   In Acts 17 we read that Paul preached the gospel in the synagogue and found many interested people.  The leaders of the synagogue were displeased and incited a riot, leading the local authorities to accuse Paul, Silas and the new converts of acting against Ceasar in proclaiming a new king.  (This was similar to the accusations against Jesus in Luke 23:2.). Paul and Silas were barely able to escape Thessalonica during the riot.  Paul worried about the new Christians he had left behind.  When he received a report that they were doing well, he wrote this letter to them.

Paul describes the close relationship he felt to the brethren in Thessalonica.  He viewed them as his own children and was proud of how they were doing.  His letter is positive, encouraging and loving.

He reminds them of how his ministry was accompanied by power (verse 5) as their continued growth as Christians was evidence.  They had changed their lifestyle when they stopped worshipping idols.  They had a reputation among other believers and their neighbours that they were faithful to the teachings of Jesus.  They were following Paul’s example as he was following Jesus’ example.  Philippians 3:17.

Paul’s experience of seeing the risen Christ on the road to Damascus was an inspiration to them.  They too were waiting patiently to see the Lord in glory.

The brethren in Thessalonica are now examples to us.  We want to have a loving family-like relationship with other Christians.  We want to have a reputation among all who know us for being followers of Christ.  We too want to have the courage of our convictions.

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13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Discussion Questions

Why did Jesus refuse to act as a judge or an arbitrator?   

What is the relationship between Jesus’ decision and the parable?

Discussion Summary

Jesus refused to act as a judge because he was not a typical teacher.  He was focused on his main ministry, “I come not to judge the world but to save it.”  John 12:47, John 9:14, Isaiah 42:21

Jesus refused to act as a judge because of the example of Moses given in Acts 7-23-28.  He did not present himself as a judge to his people, but as their deliverer.

Jesus refused to act as a judge because the root of the issue was not a settlement but greed on the part of the asker.  This is shown by the lesson of the parable in verse 21.  The rich man in the parable was not laying up “treasure for God.”  A few additional scriptures illustrating this same lesson are:  Colossians 3:12,13; I Timothy 6:6-10; Ecclesiastes 2:18-22.

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8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Discussion Question

What lessons are being delivered by Jesus?

Discussion Summary

Verses 8, 9:  To acknowledge Jesus means understanding that his authority and power to work miracles comes from God.  The religious leaders of the day attributed his power to Beelzebul in Matthew 12:24 and in Luke 11:14-23.

To acknowledge Jesus means to see his role as The Son of Man from Daniel 7:13,14.

To acknowledge Jesus before the angels of God is also connected with Ephesians 3:8-12.

Verse 10:  Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is the end of a thought process that begins with hypocrisy.  Only after someone has experienced the Holy Spirit can they truly blaspheme against it.  Hebrews 6:4-6

The parallel scripture in Matthew 10:32 shows that this principle, that people are judged according to what knowledge they have been given, applies during God’s Kingdom.  This is also illustrated in the trespass offerings the Israelites sacrificed.  People sacrificed the animal they were able to afford. Leviticus 14:21.

The word “forgiveness” is from the Greek word aphiemi which means to let go of a debt absolutely.

Verses 11, 12:  We have an example of how the Holy Spirit can give you the words when you are called to witness in Acts 6 & 7.  In these chapters Stephen, the first martyr, is called before the religious leaders to give an account of his beliefs.

We are not to think that we should just wait for a miracle to happen when we are asked a question about our beliefs.  “Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15.  Also see 2 Timothy 2:15.

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1 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known.  3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.  4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.  5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!  6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.  7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.  

Discussion Question

What lessons are being delivered by Jesus?

Discussion Summary

General Lesson:   Jesus tells his disciples to avoid hypocrisy.  Hypocrisy is a disconnect between hearts and actions.  If the disciples’ hearts are good, they will have good actions.  Fear should not prevent them from acting in concert with their hearts. 

The message of the Kingdom of God will go forth and be made plain.  Those who reject that message will persecute those who believe in it.  The disciples are not to fear when confronted with persecution as they realize the extent of God’s care over them.

Verse 1:  Leaven is a good metaphor for hypocrisy as it can work in the dough for a time without detection, it can impart its own flavor profile into the dough, and it puffs up the dough doubling it in size.   I Corinthians 5:6-8

Verses 2,3:  We want what we say, what we do, and how we act to be the result of what is in our hearts.  I Thessalonians 2:4

Verses 4,5:  There is an improper fear of the Lord that would make us obey him only because otherwise he will punish us.  A proper fear of the Lord makes us obey him because we fear displeasing him.  We don’t want to presume upon his mercy.  Psalm 19:9; Psalm 34:9; Proverbs 9:10; 1 John 4:18; Acts 5:1-5

Verses 6,7:  God is watching our lives down to the smallest details.  “Casting all your anxieties on Him because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 (ESV)

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