1 Thessalonians 3:1–10 “Suffering Is a Reality”

1 Thessalonians 3:1-10 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Blessed Be Your Name – Matt Redman
• Shane and Shane – Though You Slay Me
• Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) – Hillsong UNITED

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Friends Help Each Other – 1 Thessalonians 3:2-10 – Lesson for Kids
• Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust (Hand Motions) – Song for Kids
• Wake | Hillsong Young & Free | POWER WORSHIP – Song for Kids
• God is Good | Kids Worship Music | Compass Bible Church – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

Paul explains the reason he sent Timothy to Thessalonica (vv. 1–5). The Thessalonian believers might have felt disappointed, wondering, “Why didn’t the apostle come himself?” Earlier, Paul had already told them that he had tried to return to Thessalonica but was hindered by Satan (2:18). Therefore, he sent Timothy “to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials” (vv. 2–3). During his time with them, Paul had often said, “We are destined to face such afflictions.”

Later, Timothy returned with good news: their faith had not been shaken, and just as Paul longed to see them, they also longed to see him (v. 6). Hearing this, Paul was greatly comforted (v. 7). He even said, “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord” (v. 8), meaning that hearing about their steadfast faith brought him true joy and purpose in living. Therefore, Paul earnestly prayed day and night that he might soon see them face to face, give thanks to God together with them, and if necessary, help supply what was still lacking in their faith (vv. 9–10).

Meditation:

Before Jesus was arrested by the temple guards, He told His disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Yet right after saying, “I have overcome the world,” He was arrested, insulted, endured suffering, and was crucified. This means His words did not imply, “You will escape trouble,” but rather, “Even in the midst of trouble, I will walk in obedience to God’s will.” Jesus’ purpose was not to live a comfortable life, but to live according to the will of God. Living according to God’s will in this world inevitably invites suffering. The power of faith is revealed not in avoiding suffering, but in rejoicing through it as we fulfill God’s will. Jesus overcame the world by finishing the race, even unto death on the cross.

The Apostle Paul lived with Jesus’ words, “In this world you will have trouble,” engraved in his heart. He also taught the believers that suffering is a natural part of the Christian life, saying, “As you know, we are destined for such troubles” (v. 3). Paul himself experienced this reality firsthand, and through his experiences, he discovered the mystery of suffering. The power of faith is not only revealed in facing and enduring suffering but also in experiencing the presence of God more deeply in the midst of it. That is why Paul said, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).

The Thessalonian believers, though still young in their faith, were able to stand firm even after losing Paul and his companions, having no stable spiritual leader, and facing opposition, attacks, and pressures from both Gentiles and Jews. This was because they had been prepared for suffering. This passage shows us how distorted the modern “prosperity gospel,” which claims that faith can keep you from all suffering, truly is compared to the genuine spirit of the gospel.

Prayer:

Lord, King who endured suffering, though we say we believe and follow You, we still fear suffering. When we face hardship, we are easily shaken; when we are in the midst of trials, we sometimes doubt Your presence. Please correct our distorted faith. Teach our hearts what true faith that overcomes the world really is and help us live out that faith in our daily lives, truly overcoming the world. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Following Jesus doesn’t mean we won’t have problems or suffering. True faith means trusting and obeying God even when life is hard, just as Jesus and Paul did.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” What kind of “troubles” do you think He was talking about?
  • How do you think Jesus felt when He faced suffering, like on the cross?
  • When something feels scary or hard, what can you do to remember that Jesus is with you?
• Youth
  • Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” What kind of “troubles” do you think He was talking about?
  • How do you think Jesus felt when He faced suffering, like on the cross?
  • When something feels scary or hard, what can you do to remember that Jesus is with you?