2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

What motivates you? What gets you to do something you otherwise wouldn’t want to do?
- [EX: Progress? Checking things off a list? Food? Money? A sense of duty? A fear of failing? Not wanting to disappoint someone or get in trouble?]
- What about that thing is enough of an incentive / threat to get you to do stuff?

Paul tells the Thessalonians to “pray for us.” What does he want them to ask God for?
- Why would Paul say that praying for the spread of God’s Word is the same as praying for him?
- Paul wants the Word to spread and be honored. Why are both of those important?
- How is his desire to be delivered also connected to the Word spreading and being honored?
- APPLICATION: Do Paul’s prayers challenge what you usually pray for? …why you pray for the things you regularly ask God for?
When is the last time someone placed confidence in you for something? What was it? What was it like?
- Paul was confident about the Thessalonians, but confident in the Lord. What’s the distinction?
- What was Paul confident that the Thessalonians would be or do?
- What does God have to do with our past, present, and future obedience?
Regardless of how we’re naturally motivated to do things, where does Paul want to direct us for our motivation?
- Why are both God’s love and Christ’s endurance important sources of “fuel” for us?
- APPLICATION: What do God’s love and Christ’s endurance have to do with what you’re naturally motivated by? Anything?
- APPLICATION: How would you know if you’re being motivated “naturally” or “supernaturally” by the Spirit? Does it matter?

In what areas has fear or comfort revealed and turned your prayers towards the things of this world?
How does Christ’s endurance on the cross free you from having to secure your own rescue?
If your prayers were the only fuel for the mission this week, who would hear the Gospel?