September 24, 2023
As followers of Jesus, we realize our ultimate hope is not in this world but in the world to come. As we close our series in the Seven Characteristics of a Mature Disciple this week, we look at what it means to keep our eyes focused on eternity and how it informs the way we live today.
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This Week’s Set List
Worship is an outward expression coming from the overflow of the heart. At Providence, our services are times of intentional celebration and remembrance of what Jesus has done for us. Through the songs we sing, we express what we believe about God and confess our need for him. Here’s our set list for the weekend:
Jesus Christ, Our Victory
I Have Seen The Lord
Jesus Paid It All
O Praise The Name (Anástasis)
The Family Devotional
Discipleship starts in the home. To help you continue the discussion at home, we’ve provided a weekly family devotional with suggested Bible passages, discussion questions for the kids, and even some worship music that fit the major themes. Check out this week’s devotional in the Providence Church Mobile App!
This Week’s Prayer Focus
As part of our worship and fellowship together, we pray over specific local churches, schools, missionary partners, and unreached people groups. This week, you can join us in praying for:
Local Church: Christ Redeemer Church, Hanover, NH
Pastor: Don Willeman
Local School: Anderson Elementary School
Outreach Partner: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
Unreached People Group: The Cao Lan People China
Population: 51,000
Largest Religion: Ethnic Religions
Christian: 0.00%
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Study Guide for 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10
How to use this guide
This guide is designed to take you deeper into the points of the Sunday morning message and the passage we’re studying each week. The guide is divided into two parts.
Read, Reflect, and Respond guides you through your own personal study of the message text, preferably before you arrive for the service on Sunday morning. This section uses the HEAR journaling method, which is an acronym for highlight, explain, apply, and respond.
Discuss With Others is designed to help you take the things you’ve learned in your personal study and the message and discuss them within the context of your small group.
READ, Reflect, AND Respond
Highlight: Begin your Bible reading time with prayer then highlight verses that stand out to you as you read the passage. Note any words or ideas you want to dive deeper into and pay attention to repeated or emphasized words and phrases. This is the “observation” process – looking at the who, what, when, where of the passage.
Explain: What is the context of the passage and the author’s intended meaning within that context? This is where you can consult a study Bible or commentary. What did the passage mean to the original listeners? Was there something in their context that was being addressed? This step is to understand what the meaning of the passage was then before you seek to understand what the applied principle is today.
Apply: What is the principle to live by today? This is when you turn the focus to your own life, setting, and culture. What is the principle that applies to your own context?
Respond: How will you respond to the application in your relationships and/or situations this week? This recognizes that the Bible is not just a set of truths to know, but is actually a guide to live by.
Spiritual Health Snapshot
If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of the Spiritual Health Snapshot or take it online at providencefrisco.com/snapshot. Come prepared to discuss the snapshot with your group.
Discuss with Others
Use your community group time to have some conversation around the message. Start your discussion by inviting someone to read the passage aloud in its entirety.
As a group, watch the short Focused on Eternity video from Afshin found at providencefrisco.com/maturity.
Look over your completed Spiritual Health Snapshot, focusing on the gray Focused on Eternity questions. Where are you growing in this area? Where can you celebrate God’s work?
How have you seen examples of being focused on eternity played out in the lives of others? If you’ve seen this in people within your community group, take a moment within your group to encourage them with that example.
What biblical examples of being focused on eternity come to mind?
How do you want to intentionally mature in this area? How can your community group encourage you and hold you accountable? If you’re having trouble thinking through next steps, check out providencefrisco.com/maturity for some practical examples.
Is there one next step that you can take together as a group?
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What to Expect
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