Group Leader:
Have your group answer each of the following questions and then do the activity. Hand each student three note cards and a pen or pencil before reading the scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:11-21 (The Message)
I.
9-11God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.
Questions:
1. What does it mean that Christ died a death that triggered life?
2. Why should this make us want to speak encouraging words to one another?
3. What are some encouraging words we can speak to one another?
4. What words can you use to build a Christian friend up in hope?
Activity:
Choose the person on your right. Write a personal note to that person in which you speak encouraging words to him or her and build him or her up in hope. After you have written it, fold it, write the person’s name on it, and hand it to your group leader. Group leader give them out at the end of the lesson.
II.
The Way He Wants You to Live
12-13And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!
Questions:
5. What does it mean honor those leaders who work so hard ?
6. Who are some of the leaders in the church who work hard?
7. How do they urge and guide you along in your obedience?
8. Do you overwhelm them with appreciation and love
9. How could you do that?
Activity:
Have each person in your group choose one leader from your church to write a personal note. Now each group member write a short note to that person in which you overwhelm them with appreciation and love. First, thank them for urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Then, give one specific example of how they have done so. After you have written it, fold it, write the person’s name on it, and hand it to your group leader. Group leader is responsible for giving the notes to the appropriate leader after the SS class.
III.
13-15Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.
Questions:
10. “Among yourselves”—here Paul is talking specifically about Christian groups. In this case your SS class or youth group. When do people in your youth group not get along? Can you think of an example?
11. How could you have done/or do “your part” in helping them get along as Paul urges you to do? Paul calls us to help out, not ignore.
12. Do you look for the best in each other? Are you eager to share something good about one of your friends? Are you more eager to share something bad?
Activity:
Choose the person on your right. What is one of the best things about that person? Tell him/or her what you think is one of the best things about him or her.
IV
16-18Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
Questions:
13. When is it hard to be cheerful?
14. when is it hard to pray?
15. Do you find something to thank God about in those situations?
16. The difference between those who live in Jesus and those who don’t is that living in Jesus makes us able to always be able to find something to give thanks for.
Activity:
Think of the last time you were in a situation that you felt was just really bad. Maybe someone close to you passed away. Maybe it was something simple like getting in trouble with your parents. Think of one thing in that situation that you can give thanks about. Bow your heads and say a silent prayer giving thanks for that one thing.
V
19-22Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.
Questions:
17. This is a tough one. Some things that can be used for good can just as easily be used for evil. Can you think of something that can be used both for good and evil? (computers, cell phones, text messaging)
18. How can text messaging be used for good?
19. How can text messaging be used for evil?
20. How can you throw out what is tainted with evil? Do you think Paul means burn it or throw it in the trash can? What do you think he means?
Activity:
Think of a time when you knew that you were using a computer, a cell phone or text messaging for something other than good. (There is no neutral, guys. If it’s not being used for good, it is being used for evil). Think of what made you stop. Brainstorm ways that you can avoid such a situation next time.
Closing Prayer:
Dear God: Thank you so much for bringing us here today and allowing us to hear your word in freedom. Please help us to truly live in you. Help us to encourage one another, help us to love what is good, and help us to move quickly away from what we know to be evil. In your holy name we pray, Amen.
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