Key Takeaways

God does his best work through people who share their lives with others.

Sharing our lives with others can be risky, but we cannot love others well from a distance. As Paul exemplifies in his letter to the Thessalonians, helping others to know Jesus is worth the risk. Being Built Different means sharing both God’s Good News and our lives with others, even at the risk of an occasional black eye.

• 1 Thessalonians 2: 1-13 – When Paul first showed up in Thessalonica, the circumstances were not ideal. He and his friends had been attacked, humiliated, and imprisoned, but they still continued to share the Good News and their lives with others in order to help them know Jesus. Their courage to continue came from their desire to please God and help others.

• People are worth the risk – Paul believed that Jesus really is Lord, the Good News about Jesus changes lives, and that Jesus came because people really matter to God. So he was willing to risk getting hurt to help others get to know Christ. He loved God and other people, and that not only gave him courage to continue in the face of opposition, but became an example for those he taught.
• What is your motivation? – If your goal is to please other people or yourself, you’ll play it safe and eventually stop taking relational risks. But when your goal is to please God you will help people and start loving them, even when it is tough and costly.
• Share God’s Good News and your own life – If we know Jesus, it is our responsibility to help others to know him as well. We can live this out by boldly telling the truth about him and simply and lovingly sharing our lives with others. God gave us gifts, talents and resources that we can use to help others.

Want a printable version of this Message Guide? Download it through the link below!

Pray

As you pray this week, ask God to reveal any motives that are keeping you from taking relational risks and to help you live in a way that pleases Him.

Father, we praise you because you are a God who pursues people and invites us into your work. Thank you for loving us enough to send Jesus and for trusting us with the Good News of your grace. You alone know the motives of our hearts, and we desire to live in a way that pleases you rather than seeking the approval of others.

Lord, we confess that we often play it safe. Fear of rejection, disappointment, or being hurt can keep us from loving others well and sharing our faith boldly. Forgive us for the times we have missed opportunities to serve, encourage, or point others toward you because we were more concerned with our comfort than your calling.

Thank you for the people who have invested in us, shared their lives with us, and helped us grow in our faith. We ask that you would give us courage like Paul, a genuine love for people, and hearts that are willing to take relational risks for the sake of the Gospel. Help us to share not only your Good News, but our lives as well, so that others may come to know and follow Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.

Worship

Bring the worship set from this weekend into your Slot and Spot and thank him for the opportunities he gives you to share him with others.

Can’t Help But Praise – Jordan Colle

Mighty Name of Jesus – Hope Darst

What a God – SEU Worship

Learn

This week, read through the scripture shared in the message and dive deeper into God’s word.

We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. – 1 Thessalonians 2:8

• Scripture – 1 Thessalonians 2:1-13
• Read – Go and Tell: Sharing Your Testimony – A three day devotional
• Watch – Bible Project’s 1 Thessalonians
• Listen – 1 Thessalonians 2 from Through the Word

Reflect

Reflect on these questions during your Slot and Spot/discussions with others.

Have you ever missed out on helping someone? What made you hesitate?

• How did you feel after the missed opportunity? If you could do it again what would you have done differently?

What does it mean to you to “share your life” with someone?

• What gifts, talents, resources, or interests could you share with someone else?
  • How could you use them to also share the Good News about Jesus?
• Sharing our lives comes with a risk. Have you ever been hurt or let down as a result of trying to help or support someone else?

Who is someone in your life who shared their life with you?

• How did they impact your faith? What is something you can learn from their example?

Read 1 Thessalonians 2: 1-13

• Paul reminds us that “God alone examines the motives of our hearts”.
  • Think of a time when your actions were motivated by a desire to please people. Also, think of a time your actions were motivated by a desire to please God. What can you learn from both of these experiences?
  • When it comes to sharing, or not sharing your faith, what motivates your actions?
  • What is one step you can take today to realign your motivations with a desire to please God?

Next Steps

• Join a J Group – Life change happens in relationships. If you’re not currently connected in a J-Group, take a step this week and join one. If you’re new to The Journey, make plans to come back next week and continue building community.
• Follow along with the Slot and Spot Guide. Download it here: Built Different Slot and Spot Guide

What’s one thing you learned from this message that you want to apply to your life this week? Share it in the comment section below.