Final Encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:12-28)

Connection Group Conversation Guide

Get-to-Know-You Question: Share your name with the group and answer this:
If you could instantly transform any one room in your home, which would it be—and why?

Review: Last Sunday's message focused on Paul's concluding instructions to the Thessalonian church, where he rapid-fires 19 directives in just 16 verses. The sermon emphasized that discipleship is not a casual endeavor but a wholehearted, community-anchored, Spirit-empowered life. Jake challenged us to reflect on where we’re thriving and where we might need to recommit—whether in our service to others, spiritual disciplines, or pursuit of holiness. He ended with a hopeful reminder: our sanctification is ultimately God's work—not something we carry alone.

Discuss: Can you think of a time when your faith was tested or under pressure? What helped you stand firm or get back on your feet?

Read: Have someone read 1 Thessalonians 5:12–28 aloud. (First prompt with the next question.)

Discuss: If you could instantly and perfectly apply just one of the 19 commands in these verses, which one would you choose—and why?

Discuss: Jake encouraged us to take time to recognize someone living out their faith well.
Did you reach out to anyone this week? If not yet, who comes to mind—and how could you encourage them this week?

Discuss: When it comes to spiritual experiences, are you more likely to be overly skeptical or overly trusting? How does Paul’s call to “test everything” challenge or affirm your approach?

Discuss: Jake compared spiritual habits to building a fire ring that protects a campfire from wind. If your spiritual life is a fire, what do you think “the wind” represents? How might habits like joy, gratitude, and prayer help protect and sustain your faith through that?

Discuss: Between rejoicing, praying continually, and giving thanks—which practice feels most vital for you in this season of life? What’s one way you could build that rhythm into your week?

Pray: Share prayer requests and take time to pray for one another.

Message Listening Guide

1 Thessalonians 1:3, "We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." 

Work Produced by Faith (5:12-15)

Labor Prompted by Love (5:16-22)

Hope in our Lord Jesus Chris (5:23-28)

The strong community of Christians does not lose sight of these things, in fact they fight for them.