A Championship Church (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10)

Message Listening Guide

Guiding Thought: A faithful church isn’t defined by just one thing—it is a unified display of work produced by faith, labor motivated by love, and endurance inspired by hope. Like a championship team, all three elements must work together for the church to be strong and effective.

The Backstory of the Church and Paul’s Concern (Acts 17:1-9)
The church in Thessalonica was founded amid political and social persecution.
Paul feared that, despite the strong Gospel foundation laid, persecution might have weakened their faith or led them to doubt his authority as a legitimate messenger of the Gospel.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-3, 6-7: Paul expresses his concern and later rejoices upon hearing an encouraging report about their perseverance.

Works Produced by Faith
The Thessalonians turned from idols and lived out their faith boldly (1:9).
A passive faith is a lifeless faith—genuine trust in God is revealed through real action.
Application: Is your faith visible and noticeable in your everyday life?

Labor Motivated by Love
The Thessalonians engaged in both ministry and manual labor to provide for themselves and those in need (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 4:11-12).
Love isn’t merely an emotion; it is an active commitment to the good of others.
Application: Do you see your job as an expression of your love for others?

Endurance Inspired by Hope
The Thessalonians endured suffering because their hope was deeply anchored in Jesus’s return and the completion of His redemptive work.
Hope is not mere wishful thinking—it is a confident expectation that fuels perseverance.
Application: Where is your hope truly placed?

Closing Challenge: What is within you is revealed when life applies pressure. When the squeeze of trials and struggles comes, what comes out? Is it love, faith, and hope, or something else?

Q. & A.

Why is Paul so concerned about the church in Thessalonica?

Paul was only able to stay in Thessalonica for about three weeks before being run out of town due to persecution. He worried about whether this new church, facing immediate adversity and social pressure for their faith, would remain strong and continue to spread the Gospel in his absence. He was also concerned that they might perceive his fleeing as an indication that his message was not true.

What are the three core virtues that Paul emphasizes in 1 Thessalonians, particularly in chapter 1, verse 3?

Paul highlights three key virtues as hallmarks of the healthy Thessalonian church: Work produced by faith, labor motivated by love, and endurance inspired by hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. These three elements are recurring themes throughout the letter, not just in the opening chapter.

What does Paul mean by "work produced by faith"? Is he promoting a works-based salvation?

Paul is not advocating for a works-based faith. He's saying that genuine belief and trust in God (faith) naturally results in actions that reflect that belief. If faith is real, there will be observable evidence of it in one's life. He uses the example of turning from idols to serve the living God as a visible demonstration of their new faith. A passive faith, without action, is a lifeless faith.

How does Paul connect "labor motivated by love" to the Thessalonians' daily lives?

Paul saw the Thessalonians as not only engaging in ministry but also manual labor. He himself worked as a tentmaker to support himself and not burden the church. In this way, Paul brings our working life into our spiritual lives. Our work can be a form of worship when we serve the Lord by working hard, earning a living, and providing for our family as well as having something left over to give to those in need.

What does "endurance inspired by hope" mean in the context of the Thessalonians' suffering?

The Thessalonians faced social exclusion and persecution for their faith. Their ability to endure these hardships stemmed from their hope in Jesus' return and the completion of God's work. This hope is not just wishful thinking; it is a conviction that shapes how they live and what they are willing to sacrifice for. Their ultimate hope in Jesus rescues them from the coming wrath.

How can we apply the principles of faith, love, and hope in our own lives today?

We can examine our lives to see if our faith is evident through our actions, if our work is driven by a desire to bless others and provide for our families, and if our hope is truly anchored in Jesus's return. Additionally, when pressure is applied, what comes out of us is a reflection of what is inside, and we should consider what we are putting into ourselves.

What you hope for determines what you live for.

Connection Group Conversation Guide

Get-to-know-you Question: Share your name and answer this question: What is one of your favorite Super Bowl commercials—whether from this year or a past game?

Review: Last Sunday’s message explored 1 Thessalonians 1 and what made the Thessalonian church a "championship church." Paul commended them for their work produced by faith, labor motivated by love, and endurance inspired by hope in Jesus’s return. Despite persecution, their faith remained strong and became an example to others. The challenge for us was this: What comes out of you when you're under pressure? Is it faith, love, and hope—or something else?

Discuss: In 1 Thessalonians 1:7, Paul says the Thessalonians were an example to other believers. When you think of “model believers” today, what traits or behaviors stand out to you? What makes someone's faith inspiring or influential to others?

Read: Have someone read 1 Thessalonians 1:2-6 aloud.

Discuss: Paul praises the Thessalonians because under pressure and persecution, what came out of them was faith, love, and hope. Why do you think that was? What do you think helped them develop these strong qualities?

Discuss: "What’s inside of us gets revealed under pressure.” Have you ever experienced a moment when what came out of you (words, actions, or attitudes) surprised you in a bad way? What happened?

Discuss: Paul highlights that faith is visible. If someone observed your life over the past week, what evidence would they see of faith, love, or hope? Is there an area where you feel God prompting you to grow?

Discuss: If faith, love, and hope don’t come out of us in the tough times, it may be because we’re not putting the right things into our hearts and minds when life is normal. What are some practical ways you can intentionally "put in" the right things to strengthen your faith?

Pray: Share prayer requests and close in prayer.