Paul told the believers, “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Earlier in the same letter, he reminded them how he had cared for them.
Gentle (2:7). “But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.” Gentle means kind, calm and careful.
A tender picture. Paul compared his care to a mother caring for her little children. She is patient with them and gives them what they need.
Not bossy. Paul was an apostle of Christ, but he did not push people around. He was gentle with them.
Sharing lives (2:8). “We were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.” To impart means to share.
More than words. Paul did not just give a talk and leave. He shared his time and his life with them.
Dear to us. The believers had become dear to Paul. He loved them.
Like a father (2:11). “As you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children.” Exhorted means encouraged. Charged means urged them strongly.
Every one. Paul cared about each person, not only the group. No one was too small to matter.
Why he did it (2:12). Paul wanted them to “walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” He wanted them to live in a way that honors God.
Care you can see. Gentleness shows in small things: a kind voice, patience with questions and time given freely.
Comfort and courage. Paul both comforted the believers and urged them on. Good friends do both: they help us feel better, and they help us do what is right.
Whoever cares for you. Paul used pictures from home. Whoever loves you and looks after you, God sees that care, and He cares for you too.
The love behind it. We have all sinned. Jesus loved us first: He died on the cross for our sins and rose again. When we trust Him, His love helps us care for others.
What this means for you. Be gentle with someone younger than you this week. Share your time, not just your words.
After telling the believers to comfort each other (5:11), Paul gave them more ways to care for one another.
Three kinds of care (5:14). Paul wrote, “comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.”
The fainthearted. Fainthearted people are afraid or discouraged. Their courage has run low. They need comfort and kind words.
Uphold the weak. To uphold is to hold someone up so they do not fall. The weak are people who find things hard.
Be patient with all. Patience means not giving up on people, even when they are slow or hard to get along with.
No paying back (5:15). “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.” Renders means pays back.
Staying safe. Not paying back wrong never means keeping quiet when someone hurts you. Tell a parent or a grown-up you trust. It is never your fault.
Pursue the good. To pursue is to chase after something. God’s people chase after what is good for everyone.
Little things count. You can stay beside someone who is scared, help a friend carry something heavy, or walk at the pace of someone who is slower than you.
Words that help. Telling a scared friend that you are there for them can help their courage grow again.
Patience at home. Patience is easy with friends who are fast and fun. It is harder with a little brother or sister, and that is where it matters too.
For everyone. Paul said “for all.” That means friends, family and even people who are not kind to us.
Jesus did it first. We have all sinned against God, yet Jesus did not pay us back. He died on the cross for our sins and rose again. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven.
What this means for you. Look for someone who is afraid or having a hard time this week. Find one way to help that person feel stronger.
Complete all sections to finish!
Read each section and answer the questions correctly.