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Closing the Gap – Week 1 Study Guide

2 Thessalonians 1:3,

“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.”

  1. Think of things that you “ought” to do… do you actually do them? Do you think of these ought’s, as positive things or negative things? Why? What can you do differently to not see these “ought’s” as something negative but instead see them as an invitation to grow in love for God and others?
  2. Giving thanks—having a thankful heart, becoming a thankful person—helps us to close the gap in love and gratitude for all the ones God has put in our lives. Do you have a thankful heart? Why or why not? What could you do to make thankfulness a reality in your life?
  3. Faith is confidence. Faith is like a plant; it is a growing thing or a dying thing. Progress can be slow, but only you and God are the ones who can stop your faith from growing. God is all for your growth, he won’t stop you! Question: Are you stopping your faith from growing? Is there anything that needs to change in your life right now that will lead you in the direction of change? Will you do it?
  4. Because the Holy Spirit dwells in you, you have the ability to love others, this Holy Spirit infused love for others is on “tap.” Since this is true, what are some practical steps you can take to “tap” into this source of love? How can you make a reality today?
  5. When it comes to faith and love, we need to grow in every possible way, we need to always be increasing, if we’re not, then we’re dying. Since this is true, then what are some practical steps you can take to increase faith and love in your interactions with God and others?

Join the discussion 2 Comments

  • Eric Eakins says:

    Love the new Study Guide format. Keep up the good works.

  • Eric Eakins says:

    Last night our group had a great discussion on the word “ought” being more a choice based on the idea of a duty or the right thing to do but still a choice given to us. If we choose to, then the formula of the verse works: “Ought” (duty) + “Thank God” (recognition) + “Faith” (obedience) = “Increasing Love” (service to others). As one side of the equation increases, by simple principal of the = sign the other side of the equation will also increase. Being rich in God = being rich in love. Our small group is rich in both and I’m privileged to be a part of it.

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