July 31 | Discovery

STUDY QUESTIONS FOR GROUPS

By Micah Odor

1. Who among your family and friends is a good role model as a hard worker? What about their life is worth imitating? 

2. When is it easiest for you to work hard? When is it the most difficult? 

Ask two people to read aloud 2 Thessalonians 3:1-15 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions.  

What is this passage about? Summarize Paul’s concerns and his instructions. What is he trying to address? 

3. In verses 6 and 11, Paul warned not just against being “idle” but being “idle and disruptive.” How is the idleness Paul warned against different from resting or being unable to work? 

4. In verses 7-9, Paul talked about being “a model for you to imitate.” What is one thing in your own life that is worth imitating?  

• What one thing would you like to imitate from others? 

5. In verses 14 and 15, Paul talked about using shame as a tool for positive outcomes. How is Paul’s instruction in verse 15 different from the way our society usually uses shame? 

6. What can we learn about God from this week’s passage? 

7. What can we learn about ourselves? 

8. Today’s reading began with Paul’s prayer that “the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored.” Where do you see this happening in your circles?  

• How could you help the Good News spread? 

9. What is one area in which you need to be especially diligent this week?  

10. Based on our discussion and study, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .” 

For Next Week: Read and reflect on Ezekiel 1:1-3; 2:1—3:3 as we begin a study of Ezekiel on sin and consequences. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.