Bible Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:5
Icebreaker Question
Tell about a time you had to be away from your family or your best friend.
- Why was that hard?
- What did you do to stay close (phone call, video chat, letter, praying for them, etc.)?
Understanding the Bible Story
1. Paul Felt “Torn Away”
Paul said he felt “torn away” from the Thessalonian church. That’s like saying he felt like a child who lost his parents.
- How do you think Paul felt being away from his Christian friends?
- What does this tell us about how much Christians should care about each other?
2. Hope, Joy, and Crown (Read 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20)
Paul calls the believers his “hope,” “joy,” and “crown.”
- What are some things that make you really happy or proud? (a trophy, a good grade, scoring a goal, learning a song)
- For Paul, what made him happiest and most thankful? (Seeing his Christian friends love and follow Jesus.)
3. Paul Sends Timothy (Read 1 Thessalonians 3:1–5)
Paul sent his helper Timothy to visit the Thessalonians and help them grow in their faith.
- How did this make things harder for Paul? (He had to serve Jesus without Timothy’s help.)
- Why was Paul still willing to send Timothy away? (Because he cared more about his friends’ faith than his own comfort.)
Personal Reflection
1. Being Together with Other Believers
On a scale of 1–10 (1 = “I don’t really care,” 10 = “I really, really want to!”), how much do you like being with your church or small group?
- What makes you excited to come to church?
- What sometimes makes it harder to want to come?
2. Missing Church Family
Think about times when you couldn’t come to church (sickness, trips, or during COVID).
- Did you miss your church friends?
- What did that time teach you about how important church family is?
3. Thinking About Others
Think of one kid or adult at church.
- When was the last time you wondered how they were doing with Jesus?
- What could help you remember to think about and pray for others more?
4. Serving Helps Us Care
Pastor Neil said when we serve (help) at church, we start to care more about people.
- Have you ever helped at church? (handing out papers, helping clean up, singing, helping with younger kids, etc.)
- Did serving make you care more about the people you were helping? How?
Going Deeper (for older kids or with help)
1. Hard Times and Friends
Paul told the Thessalonians that hard times would come.
- How can having Christian friends help you when things are tough (bullying, family trouble, feeling lonely)?
- Can you share a time someone from church helped or encouraged you?
2. Putting Others First
We heard that we should “sacrifice our own interests for the sake of others.”
- What could that look like for kids at church?
- Letting someone else choose the game
- Including a kid who’s alone
- Giving up your seat or spot in line
- Helping clean up even if you’d rather play
3. Knowing People, Not Just Faces
Pastor Neil asked, “Do you even know who sits in front of you or behind you?”
- Why is it better to really know people at church instead of just seeing them?
- What might stop us from making new friends at church? (shyness, fear, not wanting to try, always sitting with the same people)
Practical Applications
This Week’s Challenge (Pick at least one):
1. Know Your Neighbor at Church
Next Sunday, say hi to someone you don’t know very well.
- Ask their name.
- Learn one thing about them (favorite sport, color, animal, food).
2. Reach Out and Encourage
Think of 2–3 people from church (kids or adults).
- Draw them a picture, write a short note, or ask a parent to help you send a kind text or message.
- Tell them you’re glad they are part of your church family.
3. Pray for Your Church Family
Make a list of 5 people from church.
- Pray for one person each day by name.
- Ask God to help them love Jesus and have a good week.
Memory Verse
1 Thessalonians 2:19–20
Icebreaker Question
Tell about a time you had to be away from your family or your best friend.
- Why was that hard?
- What did you do to stay close (phone call, video chat, letter, praying for them, etc.)?
Understanding the Bible Story
1. Paul Felt “Torn Away”
Paul said he felt “torn away” from the Thessalonian church. That’s like saying he felt like a child who lost his parents.
- How do you think Paul felt being away from his Christian friends?
- What does this tell us about how much Christians should care about each other?
2. Hope, Joy, and Crown (Read 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20)
Paul calls the believers his “hope,” “joy,” and “crown.”
- What are some things that make you really happy or proud? (a trophy, a good grade, scoring a goal, learning a song)
- For Paul, what made him happiest and most thankful? (Seeing his Christian friends love and follow Jesus.)
3. Paul Sends Timothy (Read 1 Thessalonians 3:1–5)
Paul sent his helper Timothy to visit the Thessalonians and help them grow in their faith.
- How did this make things harder for Paul? (He had to serve Jesus without Timothy’s help.)
- Why was Paul still willing to send Timothy away? (Because he cared more about his friends’ faith than his own comfort.)
Personal Reflection
1. Being Together with Other Believers
On a scale of 1–10 (1 = “I don’t really care,” 10 = “I really, really want to!”), how much do you like being with your church or small group?
- What makes you excited to come to church?
- What sometimes makes it harder to want to come?
2. Missing Church Family
Think about times when you couldn’t come to church (sickness, trips, or during COVID).
- Did you miss your church friends?
- What did that time teach you about how important church family is?
3. Thinking About Others
Think of one kid or adult at church.
- When was the last time you wondered how they were doing with Jesus?
- What could help you remember to think about and pray for others more?
4. Serving Helps Us Care
Pastor Neil said when we serve (help) at church, we start to care more about people.
- Have you ever helped at church? (handing out papers, helping clean up, singing, helping with younger kids, etc.)
- Did serving make you care more about the people you were helping? How?
Going Deeper (for older kids or with help)
1. Hard Times and Friends
Paul told the Thessalonians that hard times would come.
- How can having Christian friends help you when things are tough (bullying, family trouble, feeling lonely)?
- Can you share a time someone from church helped or encouraged you?
2. Putting Others First
We heard that we should “sacrifice our own interests for the sake of others.”
- What could that look like for kids at church?
- Letting someone else choose the game
- Including a kid who’s alone
- Giving up your seat or spot in line
- Helping clean up even if you’d rather play
3. Knowing People, Not Just Faces
Pastor Neil asked, “Do you even know who sits in front of you or behind you?”
- Why is it better to really know people at church instead of just seeing them?
- What might stop us from making new friends at church? (shyness, fear, not wanting to try, always sitting with the same people)
Practical Applications
This Week’s Challenge (Pick at least one):
1. Know Your Neighbor at Church
Next Sunday, say hi to someone you don’t know very well.
- Ask their name.
- Learn one thing about them (favorite sport, color, animal, food).
2. Reach Out and Encourage
Think of 2–3 people from church (kids or adults).
- Draw them a picture, write a short note, or ask a parent to help you send a kind text or message.
- Tell them you’re glad they are part of your church family.
3. Pray for Your Church Family
Make a list of 5 people from church.
- Pray for one person each day by name.
- Ask God to help them love Jesus and have a good week.
Memory Verse
1 Thessalonians 2:19–20