Lesson 7 - Living Holy Lives
0 views
Skip to first unread message
Betty
Aug 12, 2012, 2:37:12 PM8/12/12
to Betty's Bible Study
77
(page 56 of Standard Edition)
L e s s o n 7 *August 11–17
Living Holy Lives
(1 Thess. 4:1–12)
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Thess. 4:1–12; Matt. 25:34–46;
Gen. 39:9; John 13:34, 35.
Memory Text: “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live
a holy life” (1 Thessalonians 4:7, NIV).
Key Thought: Though human sexuality is a gift from God, as
with all gifts, it can be abused.
The three opening chapters of 1 Thessalonians focus primarily
on the past. In chapters 4 and 5, however, Paul turns to
the future. There were things that were lacking in the faith
of the Thessalonian believers (1 Thess. 3:10), and he wants to help
them remedy these deficits. The letter would begin the process, but
more could be done only after Paul and the Thessalonians could get
together again.
Beginning with 1 Thessalonians 4:1, Paul builds on the friendship
he had affirmed in the first three chapters and offers practical
advice
for the Thessalonians’ everyday life.
The main area of concern (but not the only one) in the verses for this
week deals with sexual misconduct. Though we’re not told what
specifically
prompted his admonition, Paul speaks very clearly about the
need to avoid sexual immorality. He’s very strong in his language
here,
saying that those who reject his instruction are, in fact, not
rejecting
him but the Lord. All one has to do, though, is look at the suffering
that
sexual misconduct has caused in so many lives to understand why the
Lord would speak so strongly through Paul on this topic.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 18.
78
(page 57 of Standard Edition)
Sunday August 12
Abounding More and More (1 Thess.
4:1, 2)
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 and 4:1–18. How does the content of
chapter 4 expand on various parts of the prayer in 1 Thessalonians
3:11–13? What is the relationship between Paul’s prayer and his
inspired words to the Thessalonians?
________________________________________________________
Paul’s prayer in 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 contains a number of
key words that anticipate the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:1–18. The
prayer is about “abounding” in “holiness” and mutual “love” in light
of the second coming of Jesus. All these themes point to specific
passages
in chapter 4.
In our text for today (1 Thess. 4:1, 2) Paul picks up on the language
of “abounding” in 1 Thessalonians 3:12, although the connection
is masked by most modern translations. Modern translations have
the commendable goal of making things more understandable in
today’s language, but they may inadvertently hide connections that
are explicit in the original. In the King James Version, the parallel
between 1 Thessalonians 3:12 and 1 Thessalonians 4:1 is explicit;
Paul invites the Thessalonians in both places to “abound more and
more” in their love for each other and for everyone.
Paul began the work of building their Christian framework while
he was with them, but now he is impressed by the Holy Spirit to fill
in the gaps (1 Thess. 3:10) and clarify their understanding. The
result
would be “more and more” of what they were already attempting to
do, which is to live a life worthy of their calling.
Paul begins chapter 4 with, “Finally, then” (NKJV). In chapters 4
and 5 he is building on the previous chapters, where his friendship
with them is the basis for the practical counsel he will now give.
They
had made a good start. Now he wants them to continue growing in the
truths that they had learned from him.
Two mentions of Jesus in this passage (1 Thess. 4:1, 15) are
particularly
interesting. They indicate that Paul was passing on the teaching
of Jesus’ own words (which were later preserved in the four Gospels).
Paul was offering more than just good advice. Jesus Himself commanded
the behaviors that Paul was encouraging. Paul, as Christ’s
servant, was sharing the truths He had learned from Christ.
Read again 1 Thessalonians 4:1. What does it mean to walk in
a way that will “please God”? Does the Creator of the universe
really care about how we behave? How can our actions actually
“please God”? What are the implications of your answer?
79
(page 58 of Standard Edition)
Monday August 13
God’s Will: Holiness (1 Thess. 4:3)
First Thessalonians 4:3–8 forms a complete unit of thought. The
will of God for each Thessalonian believer is “holiness” or
“sanctification”
(1 Thess. 4:3, 4, 7, ESV). What Paul means by holiness here
is explained by the two following clauses. Each believer is expected
to “avoid sexual immorality” and to “control his own body” (1 Thess.
4:3, 4, NIV). Paul concludes the unit of thought with three
motivations
to holy living (1 Thess. 4:6–8): (1) God is an avenger in these
matters,
(2) He has called us to holiness, and (3) He gives us the Spirit to
help us. In today’s lesson and the next two, we will be looking at
this
passage in more detail.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:3 and 7. How are the two verses linked?
What is the basic message of both, and how is that message relevant
for us today?
Verse 3 builds on verse 1, where Paul reminded the Thessalonians
of how they were to “walk” (NKJV)—“live” in many translations—a
Hebrew concept used to describe daily moral and ethical behavior. In
verse 3 he uses another Hebrew concept to describe spiritual life and
growth, “holiness” or “sanctification.”
A typical definition of holiness is “set apart for sacred use.” But
Paul gives the term more specific meaning in this letter. Holiness
is the condition the Thessalonians will be in at the return of Jesus
(1 Thess. 3:13). But in chapter 4 Paul chooses a form of the concept
that emphasizes process rather than outcome. It is a noun of action:
“sanctifying” more than “sanctification.” It is the will of God that
we
be engaged in this process (1 Thess. 4:3).
Paul clearly does not endorse a law-free gospel. There are behavioral
requirements for those who are in Christ. In verse 7, the opposite
of “holiness” is “uncleanness” (NKJV) or “impurity” (ESV). As Paul
goes on to explain in verse 3: “you should avoid sexual immorality”
(1 Thess. 4:3, NIV). The word for “sexual immorality” is porneia in
the Greek, which would today cover everything from pornography to
prostitution, to any sexual activity outside of marriage.
While salvation is by God’s grace through faith, the Christian life
is to be a growing life, constantly striving for the perfection that
has
been promised us in Christ.
The gift of sexuality is powerful evidence of God’s love for us.
Yet, this gift has been so abused that, for many, it has become a
curse, a cause of great suffering and sorrow. What choices can
we make that will help to protect us from the potential damage
that abuse of this gift can bring?
80
(page 59 of Standard Edition)
Tuesday August 14
Not Like the Gentiles (1 Thess. 4:4, 5)
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:4, 5. What message do you find in these
verses? What do they say to you, personally?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Although the moral philosophers discussed in lesson 3 attacked
many forms of sexual excess, Gentile society as a whole had little
or no sexual restraint in Paul’s day. According to the well-known
pagan orator Cicero, “If there is anyone who thinks that youth should
be forbidden affairs even with courtesans, he is doubtless eminently
austere . . . but his view is contrary not only to the licence of this
age
but also to the customs and concessions of our ancestors. For when
was this not a common practice? When was it blamed? When was
it forbidden?”—Quoted in Abraham Malherbe, The Letters to the
Thessalonians, The Anchor Bible, vol. 32B (New York: Doubleday,
2000), pp. 235, 236.
In today’s world many find sexual restraint of any kind distasteful.
They feel that passages such as 1 Thessalonians 4:4, 5 were
relevant mainly in some other time and place. But the ancient world
was no more sexually restrained than our world is today. Paul’s
message would have been no more acceptable in the wider society
then than it is now.
Paul’s solution to the problem of sexual excess is that every man
should “possess his vessel” (1 Thess. 4:4). The word translated as
“possess” normally means “acquire” in the Greek. The meaning of
“acquire his vessel” is unclear. If by “vessel” Paul means “woman”
(it was a common ancient expression for woman; see 1 Pet. 3:7 ), he
is saying that every man should seek honorable marriage in order to
avoid sexual promiscuity.
But most modern translations understand that the word vessel
refers to the man’s own body. In that case the phrase “possess his
vessel” should be interpreted as “control his own body” (NIV).
In either case, Paul clearly confronts the moral laxness of his own
age. Christians are not to behave as the “Gentiles” do. The norm of
the wider society is not to be the norm for us. Sex is holy, set apart
for marriage between a man and a woman. As Paul goes on to point
out in 1 Thessalonians 4:6, sex can never be a casual matter. When
indulged in outside of the norms established by God, it is inevitably
destructive. Who hasn’t seen in the lives of others, or in their own
lives, just how destructive this gift can be when abused?
81
(page 60 of Standard Edition)
Wednesday August 15
According to God’s Design (1 Thess.
4:6–8)
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:6–8. What is Paul saying about sexual
immorality?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
A man who had been sexually active outside of marriage said to a
pastor: “As a young man, I learned to see sex and love as one and the
same thing. When I got married, however, I discovered that premarital
sex destroys not only your body (I got a venereal disease) but also
your mind. Although we are now Christians, my wife and I have had
to struggle with the mental and emotional behaviors I brought into our
marriage from the past.”
The Bible’s restrictions are not there because God wants to prevent
us from enjoying ourselves. Rather, the restrictions protect us from
the physical and emotional damage that occurs as a result of sexual
immorality. We restrain ourselves sexually because we care about the
impact of our lives on others. Every person is a soul for whom Christ
died; they are not to be sexually exploited, in any way. To do so is
to
sin not only against that person but to sin against God, as well (see
Gen. 39:9). Sex is not only about how we treat others but how we treat
Christ in the person of others (see also Matt. 25:34–46).
Sex, ultimately, bears upon our relationship with God. It is the
Gentiles who do not know God who live lives of passionate lust
(1 Thess. 4:5). It is ignorance of God that produces immoral behavior.
Those who ignore the Bible’s teachings on this subject reject not only
those teachings, but they also reject the call of God and even God
Himself (1 Thess. 4:8).
On the other hand, when we follow God’s design, sex becomes
a beautiful illustration of the self-sacrificing love that God poured
out on us in Christ (see also John 13:34, 35). It is a gift of God
and,
enjoyed according to God’s will for us, it can powerfully reveal the
kind of love that God has for humanity and the kind of closeness that
He wants with His people.
We are told in 1 Thessalonians 4:7 to live a “holy life.” What
is your understanding of what this means? Is this talking
about more than just sexual conduct? If so, what else might it
include?
82
(page 61 of Standard Edition)
Thursday August 16
Mind Your Own Business (1 Thess.
4:9–12)
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 and 3:11–13. What aspects of the earlier
passage does Paul reaffirm in today’s text?
The Greeks had a number of words for “love,” two of which are
found in the New Testament. Eros (not found in the New Testament)
is the Greek word from which we get the word erotic. It refers to the
sexual side of love. Agape is the form most used in the New Testament,
as it refers to the self-sacrificing side of love. It is often used in
relation
to Christ’s love for us as manifested at the Cross.
Another Greek word for love, philos, is highlighted in our passage
for today. Paul reminds the Thessalonians of what they already know
about “brotherly love.” The Greek word behind brotherly love is the
word from which the city of Philadelphia gets its name. In the Gentile
world philadelphias referred to love for blood relations. But the
church
extended this meaning to include love for fellow believers, the
Christian
family of choice. This kind of familial love is taught by God and is a
miracle of God’s grace whenever it happens.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12. In your own words, describe Paul’s
admonition to the Thessalonians regarding business and employment
in the urban context.
________________________________________________________
The Thessalonian church seemed to have a number of lazy and disruptive
individuals. Enthusiasm for the second coming of Jesus may have led
some members to quit their jobs and become dependent on Gentile
neighbors.
But being ready at all times to witness does not mean being
disruptive,
nosy, or lazy on the job or in the neighborhood. For some outsiders,
the closest they will ever come to the church is the impression they
take
away from the behavior of known Christians in their everyday lives.
Paul’s solution to the Thessalonian problem was to encourage them to
be ambitious (“aspire”), not for power or influence but to live a
“quiet
life” (4:11) that would involve minding one’s own business and working
with one’s hands. In the ancient world, manual labor was the primary
means of self-support. In today’s world Paul would probably say,
“Support yourself and your family and save a little extra to help
those in
legitimate need.”
How could we apply Paul’s words in these verses to our own
lives, our own immediate context?
83
(page 62 of Standard Edition)
Friday August 17
Further Study: “Love is a pure and holy principle, but lustful
passion will not admit of restraint and will not be dictated to or
controlled
by reason. It is blind to consequences; it will not reason from
cause to effect.”—Ellen G. White, Mind, Character, and Personality,
vol. 1, p. 222.
“[Love] is pure and holy. But the passion of the natural heart is
another thing altogether. While pure love will take God into all its
plans, and will be in perfect harmony with the Spirit of God, passion
will be headstrong, rash, unreasonable, defiant of all restraint, and
will make the object of its choice an idol. In all the deportment of
one
who possesses true love, the grace of God will be shown.”—Ellen
G. White, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, September 25,
1888.
“Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices, must guard
well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or
hearing
that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be
left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls
may suggest. The heart must be faithfully sentineled, or evils without
will awaken evils within, and the soul will wander in darkness.”
—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 518.
Discussion Questions:
l In The Acts of the Apostles, p. 518 (see today’s Further Study),
Ellen White talks about “guarding the avenues of the soul.”
What are some practical ways that believers can do this? What
implications does this principle have for our choices in entertainment
and education?
l In 1 Thessalonians Paul frequently uses the phrase “more and
more” to describe growth in character and Christian behavior.
What can churches do to encourage this kind of “more and
more”?
l If a young person asked you to give at least two practical reasons
why he or she should “wait until marriage” before sex, what
would you say, and why?
Summary: In the first 12 verses of chapter 4, Paul tackles a couple of
the most difficult problems found in most churches, particularly urban
churches. Sexuality is a very private matter; yet, there is abundant
peril to the church when sexual immorality is not confronted. Equally
important is the kind of church the world sees in the neighborhood
and workplace. Paul’s guidelines in these matters are as important
today as they were in his time.
1
2
3
1
2
3
The Lesson in Brief
Key Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12
The Student Will:
Know: Accept that God’s plan for his or her life includes a call to
holiness
in all aspects of life, including sexual activity.
Feel: Be convicted to let God take control of both the public and
private
parts of his or her life.
Do: Take the necessary steps to turn from evil and to allow God’s will
to
be done in his or her life.
Learning Outline:
I. Know: Called to Holiness
l There is hardly a letter written by the apostle Paul that does not
include a warning against sexual immorality. What makes this
particular
sin worthy of such inspired attention?
l Twice Paul tells the Thessalonian converts to lead lives that please
God “more and more” (4:1, 10, NKJV). What does this repeated phrase
tell us about the experience of the Thessalonians and the nature of
the
Christian life, in general?
II. Feel: True Love for Others
l Paul warns against transgressing and wronging another person in
regard to the issue of sexual immorality. What kinds of transgressions
and wrongs does Paul have in mind? And how can we avoid committing
them?
l Why can’t sexual immorality and genuine love reside together?
III. Do: Abstain From Immorality
l The call to abstain from sexual immorality is accompanied by the
instruction to control the body in holiness and honor. What advice
would
you give to someone in order to help him or her control his or her
body in
holiness and honor?
Summary: In a world plagued by uncontrolled sexual lust and
perversion, God
desires that His followers lead holy lives that are sexually pure and
edifying
of others.
A
B
A
A
t e a c h e r s c o m m e n t s
84
B
t e a c h e r s c o m m e n t s
Learning Cycle
STEP 1—Motivate
Key Concept for Spiritual Growth: Christians should not be ruled
by sexual passion but by the desire to please God, living a holy life
marked by sexual restraint and purity.
Just for Teachers: The sensitive and personal nature of this week’s
lesson will likely make many class members uneasy, including, perhaps,
the teacher. While this may be the case, as Christians we can no
longer
afford to avoid the issue of sexual behavior simply because it makes
us
uncomfortable. God’s Word has much to say on this topic, and its
counsel
is desperately needed. Young and old, single and married, believer
and unbeliever, all struggle with this issue. Do not miss the
opportunity
this lesson provides for the bringing of conviction, healing, and hope
to
those who struggle in this area.
Human sexuality is one of the most beautiful, powerful, and yet
mysterious
forces in the universe. It can bind a man and a woman together as one,
creating a unique bond of intimacy and love that lasts a lifetime. In
stark
contrast, it can also produce a lifetime of pain and suffering, if it
becomes
the means of exploiting others in order to satisfy one’s own sexual
passions.
Unfortunately, more often than not, the pages of history are strewn
with
stories of men and women who have experienced the evil of the latter
rather
than the beauty of the former.
If sex is so beautiful and powerful when approached in the right way
but so devastating when misused, where should people go for guidance
and direction? Some turn to popular celebrities or talk-show
personalities;
others look in magazines, search the Internet, or seek advice from
friends.
Unfortunately, very few turn to the Bible or, at least, take its
counsel
seriously. According to a recent poll of undergraduate students at
Yale
University, 71 percent of respondents said their religious views did
“not at
all” affect their sexual behavior. Of the remaining students, 19
percent said
their religious views affected their sexual behavior “a little,” and a
mere 10
percent said religion influenced their sexual behavior “a lot.”—http://
www
.yaledailynews.com/news/2010/feb/11/for-faithful-few-a-balancing-act/.
The results from the poll taken at Yale University suggest that many
students have interpreted all the “rules” about sexual behavior in the
Bible
to mean that God is “against” sex and that He does not want us to
enjoy it.
Unfortunately, the church has, at times, helped to enforce this
perception by
characterizing sex as dirty and unholy. Nothing, however, could be
further
85
86
t e a c h e r s c o m m e n t s
from the truth. God created sex. The reason He has so many rules about
it is
that He places such a high value on it. He also knows that, because of
sin,
sex often becomes distorted and abused. God’s desire is for us to
experience
sex in its fullest and most beautiful sense, and that comes only when
we
embrace it in the manner in which He gave it to us in the beginning.
Consider This: What can Christian families and churches do to help
young and older people alike see the value and importance of following
God’s instructions in the Bible regarding sexual behavior?
STEP 2—Explore
Bible Commentary
I. The Situation in Paul’s Day (Review 1 Thessalonians 4:1–3 with the
class.)
One of the particular challenges Paul faced as the apostle to the
Gentiles was
the problem of sexual immorality in the ancient world. As the lesson
points
out, sexual immorality is a translation of the Greek word porneia,
referring to
any deviant form of sexual behavior that is contrary to the will of
God, including
premarital sex, adultery, prostitution, pornography, et cetera. The
Gentiles
were hungry for the gospel; many of them struggled to distance
themselves
from sexual practices that were an accepted part of the daily culture
that
surrounded them. Consider the way in which F. F. Bruce summarizes the
relationships available to a man in the pagan world:
“A man might have a mistress . . . [hetaera] who could provide him
also
with intellectual companionship; the institution of slavery made it
easy for
him to have a concubine . . . [palace], while casual gratification was
readily
available from a harlot . . . [porn]. The function of his wife was to
manage his
household and to be the mother of his legitimate children and heirs.”—
Word
Biblical Commentary, 1 and 2 Thessalonians (Waco, Tex.: Word Books,
1982), vol. 45, p. 82.
It is within this context that Paul has to continually remind Gentile
believers
that while the world might not frown on such behavior, it was not
pleasing
to God. And it wasn’t that they should just not partake of it as much—
Paul
counsels them to “abstain” (1 Thess. 4:3) from it. The word for
“abstain” that
Paul uses means “to avoid all contact” with sexual immorality; “to
stay away”
from it completely. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul urges the
believers to
“flee sexual immorality” (1 Cor. 6:18, NKJV). Paul does not want his
point to
be missed. Sexual sin is not to be played with. Once it grabs hold of
a person,
it is difficult to escape its deadly grip.
t e a c h e r s c o m m e n t s
87
Consider This: How can Christians embrace God’s will to be sexually
pure without being “puritanical”? How can we discourage the idea that
sex
is dirty or unholy?
____________________________________________________________
II. God’s Design for Sexual Behavior (Review 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12
with the
class.)
A wise parent knows that forbidding a type of behavior is not
sufficient by itself.
One also must provide positive instruction regarding what to do
instead. Paul
follows the same course. Instead of simply telling the new converts to
stay far
away from sexual immorality, he gives them positive instructions on
how sexual
desires should be fulfilled.
Instead of letting their passions carry them from one sexual encounter
to
another, Paul says that the proper context for sex is within marriage,
and even
there it must be exercised with self-control and “honor” (1 Thess.
4:4, 5, NKJV).
As the lesson points out, verse 4 literally says that each of the
Thessalonians are
to “acquire his [own] vessel.” While this phrase is ambiguous, three
factors indicate
that it is best seen as a reference to marriage.
First, the word vessel is often used metaphorically in the New
Testament in
reference to human beings (compare Acts 9:15, 2 Cor. 4:7, 1 Pet. 3:7).
Second,
the Greek verb for “acquire” is also used in the Greek translation of
the Old
Testament in reference to the process of acquiring a wife (Ruth 4:10).
Finally,
Paul says virtually the same thing, though in much clearer terms, to
the Gentile
believers in Corinth. After telling them to “flee sexual immorality,”
Paul says,
“Because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have
his own
wife and each woman her own husband” (1 Cor. 7:2, ESV). This is not to
say,
obviously, that sex is the only reason to get married. Paul has much
to say elsewhere
about the importance of love within a marriage. His point here is
simply
that sex is to be reserved for marriage.
Paul’s final instruction is that, even within marriage, sexual
behavior should be
expressed in holiness and honor. A marriage license does not provide a
spouse
with the right to make sexual demands of his or her companion.
Marriage is to
be a sacred bond in which a man and a woman come together in sexual
intimacy
that glorifies God and edifies each other.
Consider This: A sexual-satisfaction survey discovered that the
married
couples surveyed experienced a much higher degree of sexual
satisfaction
(72 percent) than those surveyed who were engaged in sexual activity
outside
of marriage. What factors do you think lead to a higher sexual
satisfaction
within marriage instead of outside it?
____________________________________________________________
t e a c h e r s c o m m e n t s
88
STEP 3—Apply
Thought Questions:
l What stories in the Old Testament provide positive and/or negative
illustrations of sexual behavior? What can we learn from these
situations?
l In what sense is the motive of pleasing God a better guiding
principle
than simply giving someone a list of rules to follow?
Application Questions:
l The Bible’s warning against sexual immorality is very clear—abstain
from such behavior. In light of this, what decisions do you need to
make
regarding relationships that you are involved in or things you may
read or
watch?
l In what ways have you felt wronged sexually by others? How does it
make you feel to know that, as Paul says, the “Lord is an avenger in
all these
things” (1 Thess. 4:6, ESV)?
l Many of us have not acted with the degree of sexual purity and
integrity
that God desires of us. What hope can be found in the story of David’s
horrible sin of adultery and in his song of repentance in Psalm 51?
STEP 4—Create
Activity: Share the following hypothetical situation with your class
and use
it as the basis for discussing the lesson:
A friend of yours argues that our society has too many puritanical
hang-ups
relating to sex and suggests that a lot of our problems would end if
we would
just start treating sex like any natural desire and make it comparable
to drinking
a glass of water. He says that if we took away all the religious
taboos,
stopped making people feel guilty, and allowed free sexual relations,
everyone
would be better off. What would you say in return?
2
1
1
2
3
(page 56 of Standard Edition)
L e s s o n 7 *August 11–17
Living Holy Lives
(1 Thess. 4:1–12)
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Thess. 4:1–12; Matt. 25:34–46;
Gen. 39:9; John 13:34, 35.
Memory Text: “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live
a holy life” (1 Thessalonians 4:7, NIV).
Key Thought: Though human sexuality is a gift from God, as
with all gifts, it can be abused.
The three opening chapters of 1 Thessalonians focus primarily
on the past. In chapters 4 and 5, however, Paul turns to
the future. There were things that were lacking in the faith
of the Thessalonian believers (1 Thess. 3:10), and he wants to help
them remedy these deficits. The letter would begin the process, but
more could be done only after Paul and the Thessalonians could get
together again.
Beginning with 1 Thessalonians 4:1, Paul builds on the friendship
he had affirmed in the first three chapters and offers practical
advice
for the Thessalonians’ everyday life.
The main area of concern (but not the only one) in the verses for this
week deals with sexual misconduct. Though we’re not told what
specifically
prompted his admonition, Paul speaks very clearly about the
need to avoid sexual immorality. He’s very strong in his language
here,
saying that those who reject his instruction are, in fact, not
rejecting
him but the Lord. All one has to do, though, is look at the suffering
that
sexual misconduct has caused in so many lives to understand why the
Lord would speak so strongly through Paul on this topic.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 18.
78
(page 57 of Standard Edition)
Sunday August 12
Abounding More and More (1 Thess.
4:1, 2)
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 and 4:1–18. How does the content of
chapter 4 expand on various parts of the prayer in 1 Thessalonians
3:11–13? What is the relationship between Paul’s prayer and his
inspired words to the Thessalonians?
________________________________________________________
Paul’s prayer in 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 contains a number of
key words that anticipate the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:1–18. The
prayer is about “abounding” in “holiness” and mutual “love” in light
of the second coming of Jesus. All these themes point to specific
passages
in chapter 4.
In our text for today (1 Thess. 4:1, 2) Paul picks up on the language
of “abounding” in 1 Thessalonians 3:12, although the connection
is masked by most modern translations. Modern translations have
the commendable goal of making things more understandable in
today’s language, but they may inadvertently hide connections that
are explicit in the original. In the King James Version, the parallel
between 1 Thessalonians 3:12 and 1 Thessalonians 4:1 is explicit;
Paul invites the Thessalonians in both places to “abound more and
more” in their love for each other and for everyone.
Paul began the work of building their Christian framework while
he was with them, but now he is impressed by the Holy Spirit to fill
in the gaps (1 Thess. 3:10) and clarify their understanding. The
result
would be “more and more” of what they were already attempting to
do, which is to live a life worthy of their calling.
Paul begins chapter 4 with, “Finally, then” (NKJV). In chapters 4
and 5 he is building on the previous chapters, where his friendship
with them is the basis for the practical counsel he will now give.
They
had made a good start. Now he wants them to continue growing in the
truths that they had learned from him.
Two mentions of Jesus in this passage (1 Thess. 4:1, 15) are
particularly
interesting. They indicate that Paul was passing on the teaching
of Jesus’ own words (which were later preserved in the four Gospels).
Paul was offering more than just good advice. Jesus Himself commanded
the behaviors that Paul was encouraging. Paul, as Christ’s
servant, was sharing the truths He had learned from Christ.
Read again 1 Thessalonians 4:1. What does it mean to walk in
a way that will “please God”? Does the Creator of the universe
really care about how we behave? How can our actions actually
“please God”? What are the implications of your answer?
79
(page 58 of Standard Edition)
Monday August 13
God’s Will: Holiness (1 Thess. 4:3)
First Thessalonians 4:3–8 forms a complete unit of thought. The
will of God for each Thessalonian believer is “holiness” or
“sanctification”
(1 Thess. 4:3, 4, 7, ESV). What Paul means by holiness here
is explained by the two following clauses. Each believer is expected
to “avoid sexual immorality” and to “control his own body” (1 Thess.
4:3, 4, NIV). Paul concludes the unit of thought with three
motivations
to holy living (1 Thess. 4:6–8): (1) God is an avenger in these
matters,
(2) He has called us to holiness, and (3) He gives us the Spirit to
help us. In today’s lesson and the next two, we will be looking at
this
passage in more detail.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:3 and 7. How are the two verses linked?
What is the basic message of both, and how is that message relevant
for us today?
Verse 3 builds on verse 1, where Paul reminded the Thessalonians
of how they were to “walk” (NKJV)—“live” in many translations—a
Hebrew concept used to describe daily moral and ethical behavior. In
verse 3 he uses another Hebrew concept to describe spiritual life and
growth, “holiness” or “sanctification.”
A typical definition of holiness is “set apart for sacred use.” But
Paul gives the term more specific meaning in this letter. Holiness
is the condition the Thessalonians will be in at the return of Jesus
(1 Thess. 3:13). But in chapter 4 Paul chooses a form of the concept
that emphasizes process rather than outcome. It is a noun of action:
“sanctifying” more than “sanctification.” It is the will of God that
we
be engaged in this process (1 Thess. 4:3).
Paul clearly does not endorse a law-free gospel. There are behavioral
requirements for those who are in Christ. In verse 7, the opposite
of “holiness” is “uncleanness” (NKJV) or “impurity” (ESV). As Paul
goes on to explain in verse 3: “you should avoid sexual immorality”
(1 Thess. 4:3, NIV). The word for “sexual immorality” is porneia in
the Greek, which would today cover everything from pornography to
prostitution, to any sexual activity outside of marriage.
While salvation is by God’s grace through faith, the Christian life
is to be a growing life, constantly striving for the perfection that
has
been promised us in Christ.
The gift of sexuality is powerful evidence of God’s love for us.
Yet, this gift has been so abused that, for many, it has become a
curse, a cause of great suffering and sorrow. What choices can
we make that will help to protect us from the potential damage
that abuse of this gift can bring?
80
(page 59 of Standard Edition)
Tuesday August 14
Not Like the Gentiles (1 Thess. 4:4, 5)
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:4, 5. What message do you find in these
verses? What do they say to you, personally?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Although the moral philosophers discussed in lesson 3 attacked
many forms of sexual excess, Gentile society as a whole had little
or no sexual restraint in Paul’s day. According to the well-known
pagan orator Cicero, “If there is anyone who thinks that youth should
be forbidden affairs even with courtesans, he is doubtless eminently
austere . . . but his view is contrary not only to the licence of this
age
but also to the customs and concessions of our ancestors. For when
was this not a common practice? When was it blamed? When was
it forbidden?”—Quoted in Abraham Malherbe, The Letters to the
Thessalonians, The Anchor Bible, vol. 32B (New York: Doubleday,
2000), pp. 235, 236.
In today’s world many find sexual restraint of any kind distasteful.
They feel that passages such as 1 Thessalonians 4:4, 5 were
relevant mainly in some other time and place. But the ancient world
was no more sexually restrained than our world is today. Paul’s
message would have been no more acceptable in the wider society
then than it is now.
Paul’s solution to the problem of sexual excess is that every man
should “possess his vessel” (1 Thess. 4:4). The word translated as
“possess” normally means “acquire” in the Greek. The meaning of
“acquire his vessel” is unclear. If by “vessel” Paul means “woman”
(it was a common ancient expression for woman; see 1 Pet. 3:7 ), he
is saying that every man should seek honorable marriage in order to
avoid sexual promiscuity.
But most modern translations understand that the word vessel
refers to the man’s own body. In that case the phrase “possess his
vessel” should be interpreted as “control his own body” (NIV).
In either case, Paul clearly confronts the moral laxness of his own
age. Christians are not to behave as the “Gentiles” do. The norm of
the wider society is not to be the norm for us. Sex is holy, set apart
for marriage between a man and a woman. As Paul goes on to point
out in 1 Thessalonians 4:6, sex can never be a casual matter. When
indulged in outside of the norms established by God, it is inevitably
destructive. Who hasn’t seen in the lives of others, or in their own
lives, just how destructive this gift can be when abused?
81
(page 60 of Standard Edition)
Wednesday August 15
According to God’s Design (1 Thess.
4:6–8)
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:6–8. What is Paul saying about sexual
immorality?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
A man who had been sexually active outside of marriage said to a
pastor: “As a young man, I learned to see sex and love as one and the
same thing. When I got married, however, I discovered that premarital
sex destroys not only your body (I got a venereal disease) but also
your mind. Although we are now Christians, my wife and I have had
to struggle with the mental and emotional behaviors I brought into our
marriage from the past.”
The Bible’s restrictions are not there because God wants to prevent
us from enjoying ourselves. Rather, the restrictions protect us from
the physical and emotional damage that occurs as a result of sexual
immorality. We restrain ourselves sexually because we care about the
impact of our lives on others. Every person is a soul for whom Christ
died; they are not to be sexually exploited, in any way. To do so is
to
sin not only against that person but to sin against God, as well (see
Gen. 39:9). Sex is not only about how we treat others but how we treat
Christ in the person of others (see also Matt. 25:34–46).
Sex, ultimately, bears upon our relationship with God. It is the
Gentiles who do not know God who live lives of passionate lust
(1 Thess. 4:5). It is ignorance of God that produces immoral behavior.
Those who ignore the Bible’s teachings on this subject reject not only
those teachings, but they also reject the call of God and even God
Himself (1 Thess. 4:8).
On the other hand, when we follow God’s design, sex becomes
a beautiful illustration of the self-sacrificing love that God poured
out on us in Christ (see also John 13:34, 35). It is a gift of God
and,
enjoyed according to God’s will for us, it can powerfully reveal the
kind of love that God has for humanity and the kind of closeness that
He wants with His people.
We are told in 1 Thessalonians 4:7 to live a “holy life.” What
is your understanding of what this means? Is this talking
about more than just sexual conduct? If so, what else might it
include?
82
(page 61 of Standard Edition)
Thursday August 16
Mind Your Own Business (1 Thess.
4:9–12)
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 and 3:11–13. What aspects of the earlier
passage does Paul reaffirm in today’s text?
The Greeks had a number of words for “love,” two of which are
found in the New Testament. Eros (not found in the New Testament)
is the Greek word from which we get the word erotic. It refers to the
sexual side of love. Agape is the form most used in the New Testament,
as it refers to the self-sacrificing side of love. It is often used in
relation
to Christ’s love for us as manifested at the Cross.
Another Greek word for love, philos, is highlighted in our passage
for today. Paul reminds the Thessalonians of what they already know
about “brotherly love.” The Greek word behind brotherly love is the
word from which the city of Philadelphia gets its name. In the Gentile
world philadelphias referred to love for blood relations. But the
church
extended this meaning to include love for fellow believers, the
Christian
family of choice. This kind of familial love is taught by God and is a
miracle of God’s grace whenever it happens.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12. In your own words, describe Paul’s
admonition to the Thessalonians regarding business and employment
in the urban context.
________________________________________________________
The Thessalonian church seemed to have a number of lazy and disruptive
individuals. Enthusiasm for the second coming of Jesus may have led
some members to quit their jobs and become dependent on Gentile
neighbors.
But being ready at all times to witness does not mean being
disruptive,
nosy, or lazy on the job or in the neighborhood. For some outsiders,
the closest they will ever come to the church is the impression they
take
away from the behavior of known Christians in their everyday lives.
Paul’s solution to the Thessalonian problem was to encourage them to
be ambitious (“aspire”), not for power or influence but to live a
“quiet
life” (4:11) that would involve minding one’s own business and working
with one’s hands. In the ancient world, manual labor was the primary
means of self-support. In today’s world Paul would probably say,
“Support yourself and your family and save a little extra to help
those in
legitimate need.”
How could we apply Paul’s words in these verses to our own
lives, our own immediate context?
83
(page 62 of Standard Edition)
Friday August 17
Further Study: “Love is a pure and holy principle, but lustful
passion will not admit of restraint and will not be dictated to or
controlled
by reason. It is blind to consequences; it will not reason from
cause to effect.”—Ellen G. White, Mind, Character, and Personality,
vol. 1, p. 222.
“[Love] is pure and holy. But the passion of the natural heart is
another thing altogether. While pure love will take God into all its
plans, and will be in perfect harmony with the Spirit of God, passion
will be headstrong, rash, unreasonable, defiant of all restraint, and
will make the object of its choice an idol. In all the deportment of
one
who possesses true love, the grace of God will be shown.”—Ellen
G. White, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, September 25,
1888.
“Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices, must guard
well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or
hearing
that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be
left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls
may suggest. The heart must be faithfully sentineled, or evils without
will awaken evils within, and the soul will wander in darkness.”
—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 518.
Discussion Questions:
l In The Acts of the Apostles, p. 518 (see today’s Further Study),
Ellen White talks about “guarding the avenues of the soul.”
What are some practical ways that believers can do this? What
implications does this principle have for our choices in entertainment
and education?
l In 1 Thessalonians Paul frequently uses the phrase “more and
more” to describe growth in character and Christian behavior.
What can churches do to encourage this kind of “more and
more”?
l If a young person asked you to give at least two practical reasons
why he or she should “wait until marriage” before sex, what
would you say, and why?
Summary: In the first 12 verses of chapter 4, Paul tackles a couple of
the most difficult problems found in most churches, particularly urban
churches. Sexuality is a very private matter; yet, there is abundant
peril to the church when sexual immorality is not confronted. Equally
important is the kind of church the world sees in the neighborhood
and workplace. Paul’s guidelines in these matters are as important
today as they were in his time.
1
2
3
1
2
3
The Lesson in Brief
Key Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12
The Student Will:
Know: Accept that God’s plan for his or her life includes a call to
holiness
in all aspects of life, including sexual activity.
Feel: Be convicted to let God take control of both the public and
private
parts of his or her life.
Do: Take the necessary steps to turn from evil and to allow God’s will
to
be done in his or her life.
Learning Outline:
I. Know: Called to Holiness
l There is hardly a letter written by the apostle Paul that does not
include a warning against sexual immorality. What makes this
particular
sin worthy of such inspired attention?
l Twice Paul tells the Thessalonian converts to lead lives that please
God “more and more” (4:1, 10, NKJV). What does this repeated phrase
tell us about the experience of the Thessalonians and the nature of
the
Christian life, in general?
II. Feel: True Love for Others
l Paul warns against transgressing and wronging another person in
regard to the issue of sexual immorality. What kinds of transgressions
and wrongs does Paul have in mind? And how can we avoid committing
them?
l Why can’t sexual immorality and genuine love reside together?
III. Do: Abstain From Immorality
l The call to abstain from sexual immorality is accompanied by the
instruction to control the body in holiness and honor. What advice
would
you give to someone in order to help him or her control his or her
body in
holiness and honor?
Summary: In a world plagued by uncontrolled sexual lust and
perversion, God
desires that His followers lead holy lives that are sexually pure and
edifying
of others.
A
B
A
A
t e a c h e r s c o m m e n t s
84
B
t e a c h e r s c o m m e n t s
Learning Cycle
STEP 1—Motivate
Key Concept for Spiritual Growth: Christians should not be ruled
by sexual passion but by the desire to please God, living a holy life
marked by sexual restraint and purity.
Just for Teachers: The sensitive and personal nature of this week’s
lesson will likely make many class members uneasy, including, perhaps,
the teacher. While this may be the case, as Christians we can no
longer
afford to avoid the issue of sexual behavior simply because it makes
us
uncomfortable. God’s Word has much to say on this topic, and its
counsel
is desperately needed. Young and old, single and married, believer
and unbeliever, all struggle with this issue. Do not miss the
opportunity
this lesson provides for the bringing of conviction, healing, and hope
to
those who struggle in this area.
Human sexuality is one of the most beautiful, powerful, and yet
mysterious
forces in the universe. It can bind a man and a woman together as one,
creating a unique bond of intimacy and love that lasts a lifetime. In
stark
contrast, it can also produce a lifetime of pain and suffering, if it
becomes
the means of exploiting others in order to satisfy one’s own sexual
passions.
Unfortunately, more often than not, the pages of history are strewn
with
stories of men and women who have experienced the evil of the latter
rather
than the beauty of the former.
If sex is so beautiful and powerful when approached in the right way
but so devastating when misused, where should people go for guidance
and direction? Some turn to popular celebrities or talk-show
personalities;
others look in magazines, search the Internet, or seek advice from
friends.
Unfortunately, very few turn to the Bible or, at least, take its
counsel
seriously. According to a recent poll of undergraduate students at
Yale
University, 71 percent of respondents said their religious views did
“not at
all” affect their sexual behavior. Of the remaining students, 19
percent said
their religious views affected their sexual behavior “a little,” and a
mere 10
percent said religion influenced their sexual behavior “a lot.”—http://
www
.yaledailynews.com/news/2010/feb/11/for-faithful-few-a-balancing-act/.
The results from the poll taken at Yale University suggest that many
students have interpreted all the “rules” about sexual behavior in the
Bible
to mean that God is “against” sex and that He does not want us to
enjoy it.
Unfortunately, the church has, at times, helped to enforce this
perception by
characterizing sex as dirty and unholy. Nothing, however, could be
further
85
86
t e a c h e r s c o m m e n t s
from the truth. God created sex. The reason He has so many rules about
it is
that He places such a high value on it. He also knows that, because of
sin,
sex often becomes distorted and abused. God’s desire is for us to
experience
sex in its fullest and most beautiful sense, and that comes only when
we
embrace it in the manner in which He gave it to us in the beginning.
Consider This: What can Christian families and churches do to help
young and older people alike see the value and importance of following
God’s instructions in the Bible regarding sexual behavior?
STEP 2—Explore
Bible Commentary
I. The Situation in Paul’s Day (Review 1 Thessalonians 4:1–3 with the
class.)
One of the particular challenges Paul faced as the apostle to the
Gentiles was
the problem of sexual immorality in the ancient world. As the lesson
points
out, sexual immorality is a translation of the Greek word porneia,
referring to
any deviant form of sexual behavior that is contrary to the will of
God, including
premarital sex, adultery, prostitution, pornography, et cetera. The
Gentiles
were hungry for the gospel; many of them struggled to distance
themselves
from sexual practices that were an accepted part of the daily culture
that
surrounded them. Consider the way in which F. F. Bruce summarizes the
relationships available to a man in the pagan world:
“A man might have a mistress . . . [hetaera] who could provide him
also
with intellectual companionship; the institution of slavery made it
easy for
him to have a concubine . . . [palace], while casual gratification was
readily
available from a harlot . . . [porn]. The function of his wife was to
manage his
household and to be the mother of his legitimate children and heirs.”—
Word
Biblical Commentary, 1 and 2 Thessalonians (Waco, Tex.: Word Books,
1982), vol. 45, p. 82.
It is within this context that Paul has to continually remind Gentile
believers
that while the world might not frown on such behavior, it was not
pleasing
to God. And it wasn’t that they should just not partake of it as much—
Paul
counsels them to “abstain” (1 Thess. 4:3) from it. The word for
“abstain” that
Paul uses means “to avoid all contact” with sexual immorality; “to
stay away”
from it completely. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul urges the
believers to
“flee sexual immorality” (1 Cor. 6:18, NKJV). Paul does not want his
point to
be missed. Sexual sin is not to be played with. Once it grabs hold of
a person,
it is difficult to escape its deadly grip.
t e a c h e r s c o m m e n t s
87
Consider This: How can Christians embrace God’s will to be sexually
pure without being “puritanical”? How can we discourage the idea that
sex
is dirty or unholy?
____________________________________________________________
II. God’s Design for Sexual Behavior (Review 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12
with the
class.)
A wise parent knows that forbidding a type of behavior is not
sufficient by itself.
One also must provide positive instruction regarding what to do
instead. Paul
follows the same course. Instead of simply telling the new converts to
stay far
away from sexual immorality, he gives them positive instructions on
how sexual
desires should be fulfilled.
Instead of letting their passions carry them from one sexual encounter
to
another, Paul says that the proper context for sex is within marriage,
and even
there it must be exercised with self-control and “honor” (1 Thess.
4:4, 5, NKJV).
As the lesson points out, verse 4 literally says that each of the
Thessalonians are
to “acquire his [own] vessel.” While this phrase is ambiguous, three
factors indicate
that it is best seen as a reference to marriage.
First, the word vessel is often used metaphorically in the New
Testament in
reference to human beings (compare Acts 9:15, 2 Cor. 4:7, 1 Pet. 3:7).
Second,
the Greek verb for “acquire” is also used in the Greek translation of
the Old
Testament in reference to the process of acquiring a wife (Ruth 4:10).
Finally,
Paul says virtually the same thing, though in much clearer terms, to
the Gentile
believers in Corinth. After telling them to “flee sexual immorality,”
Paul says,
“Because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have
his own
wife and each woman her own husband” (1 Cor. 7:2, ESV). This is not to
say,
obviously, that sex is the only reason to get married. Paul has much
to say elsewhere
about the importance of love within a marriage. His point here is
simply
that sex is to be reserved for marriage.
Paul’s final instruction is that, even within marriage, sexual
behavior should be
expressed in holiness and honor. A marriage license does not provide a
spouse
with the right to make sexual demands of his or her companion.
Marriage is to
be a sacred bond in which a man and a woman come together in sexual
intimacy
that glorifies God and edifies each other.
Consider This: A sexual-satisfaction survey discovered that the
married
couples surveyed experienced a much higher degree of sexual
satisfaction
(72 percent) than those surveyed who were engaged in sexual activity
outside
of marriage. What factors do you think lead to a higher sexual
satisfaction
within marriage instead of outside it?
____________________________________________________________
t e a c h e r s c o m m e n t s
88
STEP 3—Apply
Thought Questions:
l What stories in the Old Testament provide positive and/or negative
illustrations of sexual behavior? What can we learn from these
situations?
l In what sense is the motive of pleasing God a better guiding
principle
than simply giving someone a list of rules to follow?
Application Questions:
l The Bible’s warning against sexual immorality is very clear—abstain
from such behavior. In light of this, what decisions do you need to
make
regarding relationships that you are involved in or things you may
read or
watch?
l In what ways have you felt wronged sexually by others? How does it
make you feel to know that, as Paul says, the “Lord is an avenger in
all these
things” (1 Thess. 4:6, ESV)?
l Many of us have not acted with the degree of sexual purity and
integrity
that God desires of us. What hope can be found in the story of David’s
horrible sin of adultery and in his song of repentance in Psalm 51?
STEP 4—Create
Activity: Share the following hypothetical situation with your class
and use
it as the basis for discussing the lesson:
A friend of yours argues that our society has too many puritanical
hang-ups
relating to sex and suggests that a lot of our problems would end if
we would
just start treating sex like any natural desire and make it comparable
to drinking
a glass of water. He says that if we took away all the religious
taboos,
stopped making people feel guilty, and allowed free sexual relations,
everyone
would be better off. What would you say in return?
2
1
1
2
3
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages