Living in the Last Days: A Study of Paul’s Letter to the Thessalonians.
Feeling overwhelmed by life right now? You’re not alone. When everything feels uncertain, we often worry about what’s next. But what if it’s possible to regain perspective and live with purpose? Are living in the last days? How do we live in the Last Days? How do we make a difference in uncertain times. Let’s dig into Paul’s letters to the Church at Thessalonica and learn to live by faith, stand firm, make a difference, and face the future with courage instead of fear.
Week 1: Living in the Last Days On Purpose – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Through the Book of 1 and 2 Thessalonians we read the Apostle Paul’s encouragement to the early church as they navigated challenges like wars, division, opposition and persecution—similar to the challenges we still face today. Paul wrote to them, and to us, about how we live in the “last days”?
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DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- What is something you are looking forward to in 2026?What is something you’re always prepared for?
- When you hear phrases like “end times” and “the last days”, how do you react, respond or feel when you hear those phrases?
- READ: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10.
Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other. Either way make as many observations as you can.
OBSERVATIONS: What are the things that stand out to you about this passage?
How would you summarize this passage in one sentence? What does this passage tell me about who God is? What does this passage tell me about who I am?
- Read 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10. Doug said there were 3 action steps and a warning about idols that Paul celebrated and encouraged in the Thessalonians.
TURN: What does it mean to “turn”?
What have you turned from in the past?
How do you think God may be inviting you to turn now?
- IDOLS: What is an idol?
- READ: 2 Timothy 3:1-5. What are some idols people might pursue in today’s world? Are there any idols you personally need to turn away from?
How might an “idol” be getting your attention and devotion lately? - SERVE: How are you seeking to serve God these days?
- WAIT: What does it mean to “wait”?
Doug said, “Waiting patiently, but not passively, means waiting purposefully.”
What does it look like for you to wait purposefully?
What is God inviting you to DO as you WAIT for His return? - What else stood out from this week’s sermon?
- APPLICATION: What is your big takeaway from this passage and this week’s sermon? Be specific.
NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we’ve learned. What’s your next step? Be specific.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER: Encourage your group to pray this prayer often in 2026 and use to close your group time
A 2026 Prayer for MORE: Ephesians 3:14-21
“Heavenly Father, Help me to engage with you MORE. Work in me to make me MORE like you. Use me to help MORE people know you. Make my story about your glory! Amen.”
Scripture References:
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Acts 17:1-9; Matthew 13:15; Acts 3:19-20; Psalm 115:4-8; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Hebrews 9:27-28