2 Thessalonians 3 – Application Questions

These application questions are designed to be preceded by observation questions to provide a self-directed or group study of the book of 2nd Thessalonians. Find all 2nd Thessalonians resources here. Enjoy!

Consider reading this chapter multiple times before answering the following questions.

2 Thessalonians 3 – Application Questions

1. In verse 1, Paul asks the Thessalonian believers to pray for he and his companions in ministry. Do you pray for the spiritual leaders among you? How do you think you could best pray for the elders of your church?
   
   
2. How might you adapt the two things that Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray for in verses 1-2 into prayers for your elders?
   
   
3. In verses 3 and 4 we find a balance between God’s role in our sanctification and our responsibility in our sanctification. On one hand God is faithful to establish us in the faith and guard us against evil. On the other hand, we are responsible to obey what we find in scripture.
   
   
   • How does God’s role in your sanctification encourage you to fulfill your responsibility to live in obedience to him?
     
     
   • How might an understanding of this balance prevent you from becoming too self-focused in your sanctification?
     
     
4. The overall context here is Paul’s encouragement to this church to be faithful in the midst of persecution and trials. How does the fact that God is faithful to establish you in the faith and guard you from evil encourage you to endure trials?
   
   
5. Notice that God’s faithfulness in establishing and guarding believers in the midst of trials results in a believer’s obedience to scripture (4). Why do you think it is important to emphasize obedience while encouraging Christians who are experiencing trials? What does this say about some of the temptations that a Christian may experience while suffering?
   
   
6. According to verse 5, part of God’s establishing and guarding of believers while they face trials is to direct their hearts toward the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
   
   
   • How might focusing upon the love of God (and loving God) help us endure trials?
     
     
   • How might focusing upon the example of Christ’s steadfastness while he face suffering, encourage us to endure?
     
     
7. Although the Thessalonians were experiencing persecution and affliction (1:4-5), Paul does not hesitate to issue them commands regarding proper Christian character and behaviour (3:6,10,12,14). Do you find this insensitive or unnecessary? Why or why not?
   
   
8. In verse 6, Paul instructs this church to “keep away” from any brother who refuses to work. Do you think this is an extreme response? Why or why not? Consider verse 14 as well.
   
   
9. Paul’s command regarding the lazy brother required the members of the church to play a role in church discipline. Why do you think it is important for church members to understand that they have this type of responsibility?
   
   
10. Explain a Christian work ethic as described in verses 6-12. How might we see this ethic applied practically?
    
    
11. In verse 9, Paul explains that he and his companions had every right to expect the church to support them financially as they ministered to them spiritually. Yet, he did not avail himself to this right, for their sakes. In what areas have you decided to forgo your rights for the sake of others?
    
    
12. One of the problems with the brothers who refused to work is that, in their idleness they became busybodies (cf. 1 Thess 4:11; 1 Tim 5:13; 1 Pet 4:15. Also Prov 16:28; 17:9; 11:13; 26:20-22; 25:9-10). They were gossips who meddled in other people’s business. In what ways do you believe being a busybody might be damaging to a church?
    
    
13. In verses 14-15, we return to the theme of church discipline. Here again Paul instructs this church to have nothing to do with a brother who chooses to disobey the Apostle’s teaching. Describe a modern scenario where the church might have to exercise church discipline. What do you think it would look like practically for a church to exercise church discipline?
    
    
14. Consider the fact that Paul told this church to “keep away from” and “have nothing to do with” a brother who refused to work, gossiped, or disregarded the things in this letter. Do you think a modern church would handle these specific issues in this way? Why or why not?
    
    
15. For churches that do exercise church discipline, what types of issues do you think they would consider worthy of such actions?
    
    
16. According to verse 15, Paul would have this church regard the disciplined member, not as an enemy, but as a brother. How would this affect the way that the church treated this person?