Small Group Guide for Families with Young Children
1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Ice Breaker Question:
Can you tell us about a time you got really good news that you were waiting for?
(Maybe a birthday gift, a pet, a trip, or good news from the doctor.)
How did that good news make you feel?
Section 1: Encouraged by Each Other’s Faith (verses 6–8)
Read or summarize: Paul heard the Thessalonians were still loving Jesus and “standing firm in the faith,” even when life was hard.
Questions:
1. Paul was happy and encouraged when he heard the Thessalonians were still following Jesus.
Has there ever been a time when seeing someone else love Jesus made YOU happy or stronger in your faith? (Example: a friend getting baptized, a parent reading the Bible, someone praying at school.)
2. We celebrate a lot of things like: scoring a goal, birthdays, vacations.
But we don’t always celebrate what God is doing.
Why do you think we sometimes forget to celebrate what God is doing in our hearts?
What are some fun ways we could celebrate spiritual things? (Examples: saying “Praise God!,” drawing a picture, telling a friend, sharing in class.)
3. Paul said they were “standing firm in the faith.”
What makes it hard for YOU to stand firm for Jesus?
(Examples: friends teasing you, being the only one who prays, temptations to lie or be mean, etc.)
What can you do when it’s hard to stand firm?
Section 2: Joy and Thankfulness (verses 9–10)
Paul says, “How can we thank God enough for you?” He was full of joy and thanked God for these believers.
Questions:
1. When you see God working in someone’s life (like a friend being kind, someone reading their Bible, or someone helping others), does it make you want to thank God?
Can you tell a story about a time you saw God working in someone else?
2. Paul prayed for the Thessalonians “night and day.”
What would it look like for YOU to pray for someone a lot?
(Examples: praying for them before bed, at meals, on the way to school.)
Is there someone you want to start praying for more?
Section 3: Paul’s Prayer (verses 11–13)
Paul prayed three main things for the Thessalonians:
1. New chances to serve God (new ministry opportunities, and for God to move obstacles).
2. More love for each other and for everyone else.
3. Growth in holiness (becoming more like Jesus in how they live).
Questions:
1. Which of these three do YOU need most right now?
New chances to serve God?
More love for people?
To grow more like Jesus (holiness)?
Why did you pick that one?
2. The sermon said you can’t grow in holiness without also growing in love.
Why do you think love and holiness always go together?
(Guide them: being like Jesus means loving like Jesus.)
Have you ever seen someone try to “be good” but not be loving at the same time? What happened?
Key Truths to Remember
Ask kids which of these stands out most to them:
1. When we see other people growing in Jesus, it should encourage us.
2. Other people’s spiritual growth should make us joyful and thankful.
3. We should pray often for:
- New ways to serve God,
- More love,
- To become more like Jesus.
4. Love and holiness always go together.
5. In church, we don’t just help others—we are also helped and encouraged by them. Ministry goes both ways.
This Week’s Challenge (Pick 1–2)
1. Encouragement Challenge
Think of one person who is growing in Jesus (a friend, parent, teacher, or leader).
Tell them this week: “Your faith encourages me,” and tell them why.
2. Celebration Challenge
Share ONE thing God is doing in your life:
Tell a friend, your family at dinner, or in next week’s group time.
(Older kids could write it or post with a parent’s help.)
3. Prayer Challenge
Choose one person from this group.
Pray for them every day this week, asking God for:
- New chances to serve Him
- More love in their heart
- Help to become more like Jesus
Tell them, “I’m praying for you this week.”
4. Growing in Faith Challenge
Ask yourself: “Am I growing in my faith right now?”
If you’re not sure, choose ONE step:
- Read your Bible one extra time this week.
- Pray each day.
- Ask an adult a question about God that you don’t understand.
Accountability Question:
Who will you tell about your challenge so they can remind you and cheer you on?
Memory Verse:
1 Thessalonians 3:11
1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Ice Breaker Question:
Can you tell us about a time you got really good news that you were waiting for?
(Maybe a birthday gift, a pet, a trip, or good news from the doctor.)
How did that good news make you feel?
Section 1: Encouraged by Each Other’s Faith (verses 6–8)
Read or summarize: Paul heard the Thessalonians were still loving Jesus and “standing firm in the faith,” even when life was hard.
Questions:
1. Paul was happy and encouraged when he heard the Thessalonians were still following Jesus.
Has there ever been a time when seeing someone else love Jesus made YOU happy or stronger in your faith? (Example: a friend getting baptized, a parent reading the Bible, someone praying at school.)
2. We celebrate a lot of things like: scoring a goal, birthdays, vacations.
But we don’t always celebrate what God is doing.
Why do you think we sometimes forget to celebrate what God is doing in our hearts?
What are some fun ways we could celebrate spiritual things? (Examples: saying “Praise God!,” drawing a picture, telling a friend, sharing in class.)
3. Paul said they were “standing firm in the faith.”
What makes it hard for YOU to stand firm for Jesus?
(Examples: friends teasing you, being the only one who prays, temptations to lie or be mean, etc.)
What can you do when it’s hard to stand firm?
Section 2: Joy and Thankfulness (verses 9–10)
Paul says, “How can we thank God enough for you?” He was full of joy and thanked God for these believers.
Questions:
1. When you see God working in someone’s life (like a friend being kind, someone reading their Bible, or someone helping others), does it make you want to thank God?
Can you tell a story about a time you saw God working in someone else?
2. Paul prayed for the Thessalonians “night and day.”
What would it look like for YOU to pray for someone a lot?
(Examples: praying for them before bed, at meals, on the way to school.)
Is there someone you want to start praying for more?
Section 3: Paul’s Prayer (verses 11–13)
Paul prayed three main things for the Thessalonians:
1. New chances to serve God (new ministry opportunities, and for God to move obstacles).
2. More love for each other and for everyone else.
3. Growth in holiness (becoming more like Jesus in how they live).
Questions:
1. Which of these three do YOU need most right now?
New chances to serve God?
More love for people?
To grow more like Jesus (holiness)?
Why did you pick that one?
2. The sermon said you can’t grow in holiness without also growing in love.
Why do you think love and holiness always go together?
(Guide them: being like Jesus means loving like Jesus.)
Have you ever seen someone try to “be good” but not be loving at the same time? What happened?
Key Truths to Remember
Ask kids which of these stands out most to them:
1. When we see other people growing in Jesus, it should encourage us.
2. Other people’s spiritual growth should make us joyful and thankful.
3. We should pray often for:
- New ways to serve God,
- More love,
- To become more like Jesus.
4. Love and holiness always go together.
5. In church, we don’t just help others—we are also helped and encouraged by them. Ministry goes both ways.
This Week’s Challenge (Pick 1–2)
1. Encouragement Challenge
Think of one person who is growing in Jesus (a friend, parent, teacher, or leader).
Tell them this week: “Your faith encourages me,” and tell them why.
2. Celebration Challenge
Share ONE thing God is doing in your life:
Tell a friend, your family at dinner, or in next week’s group time.
(Older kids could write it or post with a parent’s help.)
3. Prayer Challenge
Choose one person from this group.
Pray for them every day this week, asking God for:
- New chances to serve Him
- More love in their heart
- Help to become more like Jesus
Tell them, “I’m praying for you this week.”
4. Growing in Faith Challenge
Ask yourself: “Am I growing in my faith right now?”
If you’re not sure, choose ONE step:
- Read your Bible one extra time this week.
- Pray each day.
- Ask an adult a question about God that you don’t understand.
Accountability Question:
Who will you tell about your challenge so they can remind you and cheer you on?
Memory Verse:
1 Thessalonians 3:11