New Testament Class: Counsel for Members

Attributes Paul counseled members to improve:

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

• Increase in love one toward another, and toward all men



• Stablish unblameable hearts

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

• Heed the prophets
  


• Stive to please God



• Become sanctified- possess bodies with sanctification and honor



• Abstain from fornication, don't be lustful



• Don't take advantage of or wrong one another



• Be clean and holy



• Be grateful for the Spirit



• Study, gain skills, be industrious



• Be honest and dependable

1 Thessalonians 5:1-22

• Be watchful and vigilant; prepare for the Lord's coming



• Put on breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of hope of salvation



• Comfort and edify one another



• Get to know those you work with, respect them, love them



• Warn the unruly



• Comfort the feebleminded, support the weak



• Be patient toward all men



• Rejoice evermore



• Despise not prophesyings



• Pray without ceasing



• Give thanks in all things



• Quench not the Spirit (live worthy of it!)



• Prove all things, and hold fast to the good



• Abstain from all appearance of evil

2 Thessalonians 3:1-6, 11

• Pray for leaders and missionaries so the word may go forth



• Let the Lord direct our hearts, love God



• Wait patiently for Christ



• Don't follow the ways of those who are idle, work! Walk in the ways of Christ.
  
  

Three attributes from my list, and how I can improve:

1. Become sanctified- possess bodies with sanctification and honor. I take my "vessel" for granted. While I do care for my body, and I protect it from harm, I do not show the Lord the appreciation I should for blessing me with such a great possession. I don't realize what a privilege it is to be on this earth gaining the knowledge and mortal experiences I am. Besides showing more gratitude, I could also eat healthier. I know my body cringes at some of the things I eat!

2. Rejoice evermore. This attribute really stood out to me. I think I spend a lot of time hoping for happiness, "enduring" so that in the end I can be happy. But here we are commanded to rejoice evermore! I can rejoice even today. Once again, I think this ties in to gratitude. As I show the Lord I am grateful for the great blessings He bestows upon me, I will find that I have a lot to rejoice in, most of all the gospel of Jesus Christ.

3. Let the Lord direct our hearts, love God. To me, this means submitting my will to the Lord's will. This is something I struggle with sometimes. With most things, I have no problem putting it in the Lord's hands and saying I'll do what you want me to do! But there are very few, yet precious things to me, that are much more difficult to do that with. Really, these should be the things I'm most willing to put in His hands, because He can take care of them much better than I! This attribute just reminded me how every desire in my heart needs to line up with His will, and I need to trust that this will bring me the most happiness in my life.