Highrock Church

What makes a good leader? What qualities and skills should we expect? And with regard to those qualities, to what degree should we all desire to grow in those ways? After all, isn't a spiritual leader simply someone who has traveled further than others along the way with Jesus? One thing should be clear, and that is that spiritual leadership is different from leadership in the world, especially when it comes to the necessity of loving, Christ-like character.

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For Reflection:

- Paul emphasizes character more than charisma or accomplishments when describing church leaders. What qualities do you most admire in a spiritual leader? How might God be inviting you to grow in those ways?

- Paul says that those who serve faithfully gain respect and confidence in their faith (v13). Where might God be inviting you to serve faithfully, even without recognition or a formal leadership position?

- Prayer: Lord, help me serve others faithfully, whether or not anyone notices.

Paul encourages Timothy to pray for all people, interceding with God on their behalf. This call to prayer also applies to all who are in authority, which might not seem like a special request until you realize that Paul was likely writing at the time when the emperor was Nero, the infamous persecutor of the Church and killer of Christians. But Paul is clear that Jesus came to give his life for everyone.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- Paul urges believers to pray for everyone, including political leaders and people in authority (v1). Are there people or leaders you find difficult to pray for? What might change if you regularly prayed for their wisdom, integrity, and well-being?

- Paul connects prayer with the desire to live peaceful and quiet lives (v2). How might your prayer life influence the way you respond to conflict, uncertainty, or people with whom you disagree?

- Prayer: Lord, widen my heart to pray and desire good for all people.

Paul writes to Timothy, the young pastor that Paul has left to shepherd the church in the great city of Ephesus. In this opening, he emphasizes that the importance of knowing the Bible is not just to know facts about Jesus but to know Jesus intimately and to love others deeply. Furthermore, perhaps to shore up Timothy's apparent lack of confidence, Paul emphasizes that he himself started as a persecutor of the church and one who blasphemed the name of Jesus. We are loved and we serve not because of our goodness, but because of God's grace. Do you feel unqualified for what God calls you to do? Then Paul's encouragement to Timothy is also for you!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- Paul says that the goal of spiritual knowledge is to be "filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith". When have you seen yourself or others stray from this purpose? What helps to keep you on track?

- “'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners'—and I am the worst of them all." Do you feel undeserving of God's favor, or unqualified to serve? What might help you to focus on God's grace rather than questions about yourself?

- Prayer: Lord, let your truth produce genuine love in me.

In closing his letter, Paul addresses the issue of believers who were selfishly choosing to live off the charity of others. He said about such people that those who are unwilling to work should not eat and that the community should even remove such people. This discipline might sound cruel but he insisted that these measures were to be done as a kindness, always hoping that these sisters and brothers would repent and change. Paul and his companions set an example for us to follow — to work hard so we can have the means to bless and love one another. Jesus invites us to not only be loved but to find deep purpose in learning to love others as well.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- The word translated as "idle" in verses 6, 7, and 11 was used of soldiers or dancers who fell out of line. In what ways were those who refused to work or who chose to meddle in other people's business (v11) like such soldiers or dancers?

- Paul instructs the church to discipline these "idle" members, but not to treat them as enemies. How have you seen this kind of discipline done well or poorly in churches, families, or other groups?

- Prayer: Lord, help me live responsibly and generously, and to hold others accountable with love.

In his previous letter, Paul praised the Thessalonians for their faith in the return of Jesus. By the time of this second letter, something had gone wrong. So Paul sets out to clear up some questions and issues that were leading them into confusion. This passage reminds us not to be swept away by fear, speculation, or deception. Instead, we are encouraged to stand firm in the truth of the gospel, trusting that evil will not have the final word and that Jesus will ultimately triumph.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- Paul warns them not to become alarmed by frightening claims about the day of the Lord. When have you seen people unnecessarily swept up in fear, in this or other matters? What might have been a better response?

- Jesus will ultimately defeat evil. Where do you see evidence of evil or injustice that makes it difficult to believe that God will prevail? How might this promise sustain you without causing you to ignore the reality of suffering?

- Prayer: Lord, rather than live in fear, help me to boldly love others in what I do and what I say.

Most of us would say we’re the kind of people who would stop to help . . . until we’re late, overbooked, and one more thing away from burnout.W

hat if our calendars say more about what we believe than we’d like to admit?

And what would it take to leave enough room in your life to notice what God is doing around you?

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If you were to read a story but then skip the final chapter, you might not understand the story at all. Death is not the end of our story. The Jesus saga ends with us all joining together to cross over into glory. Paul praised the Thessalonians for believing in the Lord's return and he returns to that idea here. When we live in light of the conclusion, we can control our passions rather than hurt one another, we can live quiet and faithful lives rather than striving to rise above everyone else, and we can face disappointments in this life without giving in to despair. Let us remember to live our lives in light of the end of the story.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- What helps you to live a life of self-control in a world that often encourages self-indulgence?

- We are encouraged to live quiet lives, minding our own business, and to work hard. Do you find this encouragement appealing? Why or why not?

- How have you been encouraged (or embarrassed) by the idea of Jesus' return? How might you offer that encouragement to someone else in a meaningful way?

- Prayer: Lord, help me to live in light of your story, faithfully looking forward to your return to bring us all home!

Have you ever seen a parent worry about their children when they go away for the first time? Perhaps it's to a sleepover, or a summer camp, or maybe when they go to college or move out. Paul expresses how worried he was when the young Thessalonian church was on their own and facing a difficult trial. Were they ok? Did they draw closer to God in their trials or did they perhaps walk away from the faith in despair? Paul therefore sent Timothy to check up on the Thessalonians and discovered that they were not only doing well but thriving in their faith! They had held onto God's truth rather than falling victim to Satan's lies. Paul then shares a quick three-part prayer that serves as a model of how we can pray for ourselves and for those we love.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- When you face difficulties, what tends to challenge your trust in God most? What helps you remain spiritually grounded?

- Paul says that hearing about the Thessalonians’ faithfulness brought him great encouragement even while he was experiencing trouble himself. How might paying attention to the ways God is working in other people’s lives bring you hope during your own struggles?

- Prayer: Lord, through every trial, help me to trust what you say and to love and encourage others more and more.

Paul moves from praising the faith of the Thessalonians to an apparent defense of their character and ministry. Paul and his companions had poured out their lives while they were with them, insisting on paying their own way through hard work rather than accepting any financial support. Rather than seeking personal gain, they worked only for the good and the growth of the Thessalonians. We sometimes talk of "tough love" — a love that asks hard things of others. Instead, they exhibited a tough love that asked hard things of themselves, showing the believers how to live a life worthy of our calling from God.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- Paul says he and his companions sought to please God rather than people (vv4-6). In what ways do you experience this struggle to please God rather than people?

- Paul says he encouraged and comforted the Thessalonians while urging them to live lives worthy of God. Do you find it easier to encourage or to challenge people? In what ways do you need each of these kinds of love?

- Prayer: Lord, help me serve with integrity and love, seeking to please you more than anyone else.

This letter is the first and oldest we have from Paul, and it is written to a congregation filled with new believers, a church that may have been only months old! What do you say to such spiritual infants? Paul begins by sharing with them his praise and his prayers. He praises them for the faith, love, and hope that he sees in them, and he thanks God for the way their faith had become an inspiration to other believers in other churches, far and wide. While Paul will address and correct much of what they had gotten wrong, he starts by praising what they had gotten right. His example reminds us to praise people for what they are doing right rather than prioritize or fixate on what they might be doing wrong.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- Paul praises them for their faith, love, and hope (v3). What evidence of faith, love, and hope do you see in your spiritual community, and in you?

- The Thessalonians received the gospel with joy even while suffering because of it (v6). How do you typically respond when following Jesus becomes difficult? What might help you to better hold on to joy during challenging seasons?

- Prayer: Lord, strengthen my faith, deepen my love, and renew my hope in Jesus so I might be an encouragement to others.