1 Thessalonians 3–5; 2 Thessalonians 3:1–6, 11. Counsel for Members

• Read 1 Thessalonians 3:12–13; 4:1–12; 5:1–22; 2 Thessalonians 3:1–6, 11.Then compile a list of attributes Paul counseled members to improve.

Increase and abound in love toward all men

Your hearts unblameable in holiness before God

Walk and to please God

Abstain from fornication, for your sanctification: the law of chastity

Control physical appetites – know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour

That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter

God hath…called us unto…holiness

Taught of God to love one another; and do it toward all men

Study to be quiet

Do your own business

Work with your own hands that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without and that ye may have lack of nothing

Watch and be sober

Put on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of “the hope of salvation”

Comfort yourselves together

Edify one another

Know them which labor among you – esteem them very highly in love

Be at peace among yourselves

Warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men

See that none render evil for evil unto any man

Ever follow that which is good

Rejoice evermore

Pray without ceasing

In every thing give thanks

Quench not the Spirit

Despise not prophesyings

Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good

Abstain from all appearance of evil

Pray that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified

Withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly

No gossiping

• Select three attributes from your list and write plans of how you want to improve in each area.

“Know them which labor among you – esteem them very highly in love.”

                This is a quality I want to work on with my family…my husband in particular.  My plan to improve is to daily look for the good things my family is doing in their individual work.  Before I go to bed each night, I’m going to write down at least three things for my husband and daughter that they’ve done well in their work.  I am usually a very complimentary person, but, with my family, I struggle a little more because there are more frustrations and opportunities for discord.  But I want to change that.  So, each day, I’ll make a list of at least three things I’ve noticed and that I appreciate about them.

“Rejoice evermore.”

                I know during times of trial, I don’t always have an optimistic attitude.  And, lately, with school, I’ve been struggling more to keep my head above water, so this is definitely a quality I want to improve on.  I find I’ve been letting myself get bogged down with the amount of work I have to do between kids, a household to clean, a husband, school, and church stuff to handle. In order to improve on this quality, I don’t know that I can really create a specific plan to improve other than trying to intentionally looking for the silver lining in each situation and challenge I face.  I will pray for the ability to see the good and to have a sunny outlook on life.

“In every thing give thanks.”

                With this, I plan to improve by saying ‘gratitude prayers’ more often.  I will focus on the blessings in my life vs what I still “need.”  I plan to make an intentional decision to choose to give thanks, even when in the midst of trials.  Along with the first quality, I will make a point of expressing my gratitude for my family, in particular, and for those around me.