About a year ago, as I was reading God's word, the Lord used His word to show me what a powerful example Paul's life was in the role of this growing church. In his words, Paul came as a "nursing mother" and a "father" to these new believers. My ears perked up. "Please, tell me Paul, just exactly what is it that a nursing mother should do?" I find myself in this role much of my life, so I knew this would be a fruitful study for me. This is part one of the study.
1 Thessalonians 1-2:2
Paul: Gospel Bearer and Our Example
1 Thes. 1:1-10
"Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ : Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers ; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction ; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. "
Context: Acts 17:1-15
1 Thes. 2:1-2
"For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition."
Context: Acts 16:12-24
Paul, the Gospel Bearer
For Discussion: 1 v.5 Who brought the Gospel to you? What was/is their role in your life?
Who did Paul bring the Gospel to? The people of Thessolonica.
What was his role in their life?
1 v.2 - give thanks, pray
1 v.3 - be aware, "bearing your growth in mind"
1 v.6 - an example, that which they would imitate
Paul, Our Example
Who are you first bringing the Gospel to? Your family
What is/should be your role according to Paul’s example?
1.v2 - give thanks, pray
1.v3 - bearing in mind their work of faith, labor of love and steadfast hope
1.v5 Are we bringing the Gospel, the truth of Jesus Christ, in word only? Are we bringing the Gospel to our family by the power of the Holy Spirit in full conviction? I.e. Are we working in our own strength? Are we living what we speak?
1v.6 Are we worthy of imitation? Will they be?
1v.7 Are our children becoming an example to all believers? Are we? Are we praying and living to that end?
1 v.8 Does the word of the Lord sound forth from our children? From us? Are we praying and living to that end?
2v.2 Do we have the “boldness in our Lord to speak to our children the gospel of God amid much opposition? Will we commit to this as our duty as parents and disciplers of our children?
As we read and study the book of 1 Thessalonians and Paul’s role in these new believers lives, let us pray and ask the Lord to give us wisdom regarding our role our children’s lives. They, too, are tender shoots slowly growing into mighty oaks for the glory of God. Let us see ourselves as more than educators, caretakers and Transportation Specialists. We are first and foremost Gospel Bearers, in word and deed, to these precious people the Lord has placed in our hearts and homes. Ask the Lord how He desires you to accomplish this mighty calling in your family’s life.
Assignment: Read through the book of 1 Thes. Spend time in chapter 2 looking for examples of Paul’s parental role in the lives of the church family. Pray 2 Thes. 2:13 over your children daily.
This is good stuff, Tracy. God has also been showing me that my children will be imitators of what I do. God showed me, through Paul's example, that I could not change out of my own will power. That it had to be Him that did it.
ReplyDeleteWas I wanting to do what right so that others, including my children, would think how wonderful of a mother I was. Or, was it because I truly wanted to be Christ-like. For my children to see Christ in me and then in turn want to serve Christ also.
God is refining me bit by bit. Showing me what my true calling, or mission if you will, as a mother is.
So true, Teresa. In verse 5 in the chapter, Paul says that they brought the gospel in power and full conviction, not only in word. So often I am challenged that I will SAY the right words, in my own strength rather than LIVE the Word in the power of His Spirit. It is difficult to imitate words. It is our actions that we will see our children imitate and teach to others. Oh my, what a call to walk in Full Conviction of what the Lord has commanded.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts. You have been a great encouragement to me over the years. :)