August 25, 2024 – 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

Lesson Date: August 25, 2024

Focal Scripture Passage: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

AIM: To lead students to discover four commands Christians are to obey, and to encourage them to obey those commands.

Before class: Read the notes on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book.  Write the word “Command” on the board.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Direct the students’ attention to the word “Command” written on the board.  Ask: “How would you define the word ‘command’?  What is a command?”  Allow time for some responses, and then tell them that a command is an instruction or order given by someone in authority.

Tell the class one way we can relate to the words “command” or “order” is to think of the military.  Ask: “Have any of you ever served in the military?” (some may have).  Ask: “When someone in the military is given an order, what are they expected to do?” (obey the order).  Ask: “What will happen if they choose to ignore or disobey the order?” (there will be negative consequences, such as a verbal reprimand and/or disciplinary action). 

Stress the fact that members of the military are expected to obey the orders or commands given by their superiors.  Tell the class if military personnel routinely disobeyed orders, the result would be disorder and chaos.

Ask: “Are members of the military the only people who are required to obey the orders and commands of others?” (no).  Ask: “Who else must obey commands?” (children must obey parents, students must obey teachers, employees must obey managers and bosses).  Tell the students that ALL of us have people in authority we must obey.  Ask: “Does God give Christians any commands or orders we must obey?” (yes, many)

Tell the students the title of today’s lesson is Commands For Christians.  Tell them in the passage we will explore today we will discover four commands Christians are told to obey, and evaluate our behavior in light of those commands.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Tell the students that this is our final lesson from 2 Thessalonians.
   • Give everyone a copy of the Sunday School Member Quarterly for the Fall quarter study of Romans 1 – 8.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (Are You Certain?; we discovered several things Christians can be certain about).
   • Ask if any volunteer would recite last week’s memory verse (2 Thess. 2:13).
2. Command to Withdraw.
   • Ask a volunteer to read 2 Thessalonians 3:6.
   • Ask: “Is this a suggestion or a command?” (it is a command).
   • Ask: “Is this command directed to saved people or lost people?” (to “brethren,” which means saved people).
   • Tell the class that Paul was nearing the end of his second letter to the new believers in Thessalonica, so he gave them some final commands to obey.
   • Ask: “Whose authority did he invoke in giving this command?” (the name of the Lord Jesus Christ).
   • Explain the following:
     • A command from a higher-ranking officer carries more weight than a command from a junior officer.
     • Paul could have given these commands based upon his own authority as an apostle and the one who led them to the Lord and started their church.
     • Instead of speaking on his own authority, Paul cited the highest authority possible.
   • Ask: “What command do we find in verse 6?” (withdraw from anyone who claims to be a Christian, but lives like a lost person).
   • Tell the class the word walketh refers to one’s lifestyle and behavior, and the word disorderly may also be translated idle, irresponsible, or unruly.
   • Ask a volunteer to read 2 Thessalonians 3:14.
   • Ask: “Who are we commanded not to fellowship with?” (those who disobey the Bible).
   • Tell the class that 1 Corinthians 5:11 says it this way: “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
   • Ask: “According to the last part of verse 14, what is the purpose of withdrawing fellowship from a disobedient and disorderly brother?” (“that he may be ashamed,” in hopes that he will repent and return to obeying God).
   • Summarize: Christians are commanded to withdraw from those who claim to be believers, but live in open disobedience to the Bible.
3. Command to Watch.
   • Read 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9.
   • Ask: “According to verse 7, what did the Thessalonians know?” (that they ought to watch and follow the examples set by Paul and his ministry partners).
   • Ask: “What does verse 7 say Paul and his partners did NOT do?” (behave in a disorderly, idle, or irresponsible manner).
   • Ask: “According to verse 8, what else did they NOT do?” (expect a handout of free food).
   • Ask: “What does verse 8 say they did?” (worked night and day to provide for their needs).
   • Ask: “According to the last phrase of verse 8, why did they do that?” (they didn’t want to be a burden to them or allow anyone to say they preached only for money).
   • Explain the following:
     • Paul said in verse 9 that as an apostle and preacher he had the right (power, authority) to be financially supported by those to whom he ministered.
     • The Bible clearly says more about this in 1 Corinthians 9, including verse 14, which says, “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.”
   • Ask: “According to verse 9, why did Paul work to support himself, rather than being supported by those to whom he ministered?” (to set an example of a good work ethic for the Thessalonians to watch and follow.
   • Summarize: Christians are commanded to watch and follow the examples of their spiritual leaders and other mature believers.
4. Command to Work.
   • Tell the students that verses 7-8 reveal that Paul and his companions were not idle or lazy, but worked hard to support themselves.
   • Ask a volunteer to read 2 Thessalonians 3:10
   • Ask: “What command do we find in this verse?” (those who are able to work but refuse to work should not eat; in other words, they shouldn’t be supported by the charity of the working people).
   • Stress the fact that the church is not obligated to help those who are able to work but refuse to work.
   • Read 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13.
   • Ask: “According to verse 11, what had Paul heard about some people in the Thessalonian church?” (they were irresponsible and lazy, not working at all).
   • Ask: “What did those lazy, disorderly people do?” (they were busybodies, using their idle time to meddle in the affairs of others).
   • Ask: “What command do we find in verse 12?” (they should mind their own business, work, and live off what they earn).
   • Ask: “What authority did Paul cite in issuing this command?” (the Lord Jesus Christ).
   • Tell the students 1 Thessalonians 4:11 states the same command this way: “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.”
   • Ask: “What encouragement do we find in verse 13?” (don’t grow weary in doing right).
   • Tell the class the command to work is very timely for our day, because the government has created an environment in which some able people are rewarded for their idleness and supported by those who faithfully work.
   • Summarize: Christians are commanded to reject idleness and the “entitlement mentality,” but instead to work faithfully to provide for their own needs.
5. Command to Warn.
   • Ask a volunteer to read 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15.
   • Remind the students that we previously read verse 14, which commands us to take note of and withdraw from those who refuse to obey the Bible.
   • Ask: “What are we commanded to do for those who claim to be Christians but do not obey the Bible or live by its teachings?” (not treat them as enemies, but admonish or warn them as brothers).
   • Tell the class in 1 Thessalonians 5:14, the Bible tells us, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”
   • Read 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18.
   • Tell the students that when we obey the Lord’s commands, we will be in the right place spiritually to experience His peace (v. 16a), presence (v. 16b), and grace (v. 18).
   • Summarize: Christians are commanded to warn believers who are disobedient in a spirit of brotherly love.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Remind everyone that the title of today’s lesson is Commands For Christians.  Tell them in this lesson we have discovered the following four commands Christians are told to obey:

• Withdraw from those who claim to be believers, but live in open disobedience to the Bible.
• Watch and follow the examples of our spiritual leaders and other mature believers.
• Work faithfully to provide for our own needs.
• Warn believers who are disobedient in a spirit of brotherly love.

Tell the students to be honest with themselves and with God as they privately answer the following questions:

“Are you obeying God’s commands?”

“Do you withdraw from those who claim to be Christians but do not obey the Bible, or do you hang out with them as if nothing was wrong?”

“Do you watch and follow the examples of your spiritual leaders, or do you imitate the behavior of worldly people who are famous or influential?”

“Do you work faithfully to provide for your needs, or do you expect a handout from other people or from the government?”

“Do you lovingly warn disobedient brethren, or do you treat them like enemies?”

Encourage everyone to obey the Lord’s commands.  Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes.  Tell them to confess any areas in which they are disobeying God’s commands, and to commit to obeying them in the future.  Tell them to ask God for help to obey these commands.  Allow a moment for silent prayer, and then voice a closing prayer.

CONCLUSION: Be sure everyone has a Sunday School Member Quarterly for our new study of the book of Romans, which begins next Sunday.  Tell them to begin the Daily Bible Reading Guide in that quarterly tomorrow.