Small Group Guide for Families with Young Children
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Big Idea
Paul wrote a letter to a church to help them know how to live together as God’s family. He taught them to respect their leaders, help one another, choose joy, pray often, be thankful, listen carefully to God’s Word, and keep growing to be more like Jesus.
Simple Overview
In this part of the Bible, Paul gives Christians some important instructions:
- Respect and love your church leaders.
- Help people who are struggling.
- Be patient with everyone.
- Don’t be mean back when someone is mean to you.
- Be joyful.
- Pray often.
- Give thanks in every situation.
- Listen to God’s Word.
- Stay away from evil.
- Keep growing to be more like Jesus.
Discussion Questions
1. What stood out to you?
What is one thing you heard from the sermon or Bible passage that you remember?
2. Church is a family
How is a church like a family?
3. Respecting leaders
Who are some leaders God has placed in your life?
Examples: parents, pastors, teachers, coaches, Sunday school teachers.
How can you show respect to them?
4. Helping others
Paul says we should help different kinds of people.
What could you do if someone is:
- Being lazy and not doing what is right?
- Scared or nervous?
- Weak or having a hard time?
5. Being patient
Paul says to be patient with everyone.
Is it easy or hard to be patient? Why?
Who is someone you need to be more patient with?
6. Don’t pay back wrong with wrong
If someone is mean to you, what does the world often say to do?
What does Jesus want us to do instead?
7. Joy and happiness
Happiness is when things are going the way we like.
Joy is knowing God is with us even when things are hard.
Can you think of a time when something was hard, but you still knew God loved you?
8. Pray all the time
Paul says to pray continually. That means we can talk to God anytime.
When are some times you can pray during the day?
Examples:
- When you wake up
- Before school
- When you are scared
- Before meals
- Before bed
- When you need help
9. Give thanks
What are three things you can thank God for today?
10. Becoming like Jesus
What is one way you want to grow to be more like Jesus this week?
Personal Reflection
Ask yourself:
Do I want to become more like Jesus?
If yes, what is one area where I need God’s help?
Examples:
- Being kind to my siblings
- Obeying my parents
- Telling the truth
- Not complaining
- Being thankful
- Praying more
- Forgiving someone
This Week’s Challenge
Choose one or more:
1. Pray for your church leaders
Pray for your pastor, Sunday school teacher, children’s leader, or another church leader by name.
You can pray:
“God, please help them, give them wisdom, and encourage them.”
2. Encourage someone
Find someone who is sad, scared, or having a hard time. Say something kind or helpful.
3. Practice thankfulness
Each day this week, name one thing you are thankful for.
4. Choose kindness instead of payback
If someone is unkind to you, ask God to help you respond with kindness instead of being mean back.
5. Ask God to help you grow
Pray:
“Jesus, help me become more like You.”
Memory Verse
Ephesians 4:2
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Big Idea
Paul wrote a letter to a church to help them know how to live together as God’s family. He taught them to respect their leaders, help one another, choose joy, pray often, be thankful, listen carefully to God’s Word, and keep growing to be more like Jesus.
Simple Overview
In this part of the Bible, Paul gives Christians some important instructions:
- Respect and love your church leaders.
- Help people who are struggling.
- Be patient with everyone.
- Don’t be mean back when someone is mean to you.
- Be joyful.
- Pray often.
- Give thanks in every situation.
- Listen to God’s Word.
- Stay away from evil.
- Keep growing to be more like Jesus.
Discussion Questions
1. What stood out to you?
What is one thing you heard from the sermon or Bible passage that you remember?
2. Church is a family
How is a church like a family?
3. Respecting leaders
Who are some leaders God has placed in your life?
Examples: parents, pastors, teachers, coaches, Sunday school teachers.
How can you show respect to them?
4. Helping others
Paul says we should help different kinds of people.
What could you do if someone is:
- Being lazy and not doing what is right?
- Scared or nervous?
- Weak or having a hard time?
5. Being patient
Paul says to be patient with everyone.
Is it easy or hard to be patient? Why?
Who is someone you need to be more patient with?
6. Don’t pay back wrong with wrong
If someone is mean to you, what does the world often say to do?
What does Jesus want us to do instead?
7. Joy and happiness
Happiness is when things are going the way we like.
Joy is knowing God is with us even when things are hard.
Can you think of a time when something was hard, but you still knew God loved you?
8. Pray all the time
Paul says to pray continually. That means we can talk to God anytime.
When are some times you can pray during the day?
Examples:
- When you wake up
- Before school
- When you are scared
- Before meals
- Before bed
- When you need help
9. Give thanks
What are three things you can thank God for today?
10. Becoming like Jesus
What is one way you want to grow to be more like Jesus this week?
Personal Reflection
Ask yourself:
Do I want to become more like Jesus?
If yes, what is one area where I need God’s help?
Examples:
- Being kind to my siblings
- Obeying my parents
- Telling the truth
- Not complaining
- Being thankful
- Praying more
- Forgiving someone
This Week’s Challenge
Choose one or more:
1. Pray for your church leaders
Pray for your pastor, Sunday school teacher, children’s leader, or another church leader by name.
You can pray:
“God, please help them, give them wisdom, and encourage them.”
2. Encourage someone
Find someone who is sad, scared, or having a hard time. Say something kind or helpful.
3. Practice thankfulness
Each day this week, name one thing you are thankful for.
4. Choose kindness instead of payback
If someone is unkind to you, ask God to help you respond with kindness instead of being mean back.
5. Ask God to help you grow
Pray:
“Jesus, help me become more like You.”
Memory Verse
Ephesians 4:2