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Bevan Burgess
Shaped by Hope
10 May 2015
Keys to the Upside Down Kingdom
1 Thessalonians Chapter 2.
Twenty years after establishing the church in Thessalonica Paul was getting a lot of
criticism. In this letter he sets out to set the record straight and defend himself.
In what ways do we as a church or as individual Christians experience criticism
in today’s world?
How do you deal with criticism?
Discuss each of Paul’s defences. How could you move towards being more able
to say these things about your life?
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Risking ourselves for God’s message
Sharing the truth with pure intentions
Not being people-pleasers
Not out to get things for ourselves
Put aside power for humble position of caring mother
Lived above reproach
Like a father, encouraged, comforted, urged you to live lives worthy of God
Chose love, not power
Gave ourselves wholly
The upside down kingdom was where the king serves and doesn’t use his power to
exploit, but does all in love. Compare Ephesians 4:15-16 and 1 Corinthians 13:13.
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What do these passages have to say to us?
How do we balance the tension between giving ourselves fully and looking
after ourselves? How do we prevent burnout?
What does it mean to you to live a life worthy of God?
What is the next step to take or change to make for you to live a life
of love?