One day, when Jesus returns, He'll "be glorified in his holy people" (v 10). But wonderfully, we don't need to wait till then to bring Him the praise He deserves.
With this in mind, Paul prays...
Read 2 Thessalonians 1 v 11-12
Your purpose
- - Can you summarise Paul's prayers, in your own words? He prays:
- > that ... (v 11a)
- > and that ... (v 11b)
- > so that ... (v 12)
- - What does Paul want the Thessalonians to be doing (v 12)?
- - So what does Paul want God to do ( v 11)?
- - So what does Paul do (v 11 and v 12)?
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APPLY
What is the main purpose of our lives? It is that we bring glory to Jesus!
- - How, specifically, will you make this affect:
- > your prayers?
- > your desires?
- > your deeds?
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Your calling
Read 1 Thessalonians 2 v 12: 4 v 7
- - What would this church have understood by God's "calling?" (Hint: "holy" means distinctive, or totally pure)
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TIME OUT
Read Ephesians 4 v 1-6 and Phillipians 1 v 27-28.
- - How do these verses help us to understand how to live "worthy of his calling?"
- - How does this challenge you personally?
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PRAY
- - How do these verses help us to know what we should be praying for other members of our church?
Today's study is shorter than usual to give you more time to pray. As well as the thing you usually pray about, make a list of Christians you know, and use Paul's prayer here to pray for them.
You might find it helpful to think about what work and ministry they're involved in--what "act(s) prompted by faith" can you ask God to bless them in?
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This devotional is taken from Explore—a daily Bible-reading devotional from The Good Book Company which enables you to engage with Scripture and which will encourage, equip and inspire you to live for Christ. Explore features contributions from pastors such as Dr Timothy Keller, Mike McKinley and Tim Chester.
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