Scripture to Read: 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16
God lovingly reminds us today to make sure we choose our role models carefully. God used Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to share the Gospel with the people of Thessalonica, and as the Thessalonians surrendered to Christ as Lord, they began to imitate the lives of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. That is how God wants us to live our lives as well. God has called us in Matthew 28:18-20 to go and make disciples. A disciple is a follower, and so God wants all who are made in His image to be followers/disciples of Him. The only way people become followers of Christ is for us who are already followers to share our lives with those who are not yet followers. As new people become followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, God wants us to lead them, by example, to know how to pursue Christ and His Word passionately. We lead others so that they have an excellent example to imitate and therefore become more like Christ as they follow our example. The people of Thessalonica were suffering persecution because they had chosen to surrender to Christ as Lord and Savior. But because Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy had also suffered persecution, the new believers in Thessalonica had three great examples to follow. Even though the persecutors were trying to shut down the Gospel, it did not stop Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, nor did it stop the believers in Thessalonica. We must live in the same way and not let anything hinder us from living for Christ and sharing Christ with all.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about the role models you need to follow and about being an example to others?
2. Who will you be an example to this week on how to follow Christ with all your heart, soul and strength?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!