Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
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3 Days
Written shortly after 1 Thessalonians, Paul’s second letter continues to encourage the Thessalonian church by admonishing them to stand firm on the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:15). As Paul instructs the church about the coming of Christ, we are reminded to be made worthy of God’s calling and fulfill all the good works of faith.
This plan offers a 3-day journey through the book of 2 Thessalonians, making it ideal for both individual and group study.
5 Days
The Scriptures give a number of reasons for people to work—all of them profound in their own way—because what we do for a living matters to God. Work has value in and of itself, it is intrinsically a good thing, and when work is done with excellence, it reflects God. The Bible tells us that our work accomplishes God’s work and purpose in the Kingdom through His grace.
Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica to clear up confusion circulating about Jesus’ return. In a previous letter, Paul had said Jesus’ return was imminent. Some in the church took that to mean Jesus was coming back immediately. Paul corrects them and instructs the church on how to live in the meantime. Reading this study, you’ll face the reality of Jesus’ return and our responsibility to live for him.
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