“Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. ”
1 Thess. 2:8 (NASB)
Paul is writing to the church in Thessalonica and defending his ministry to them by reminding the Thessalonian church of his conduct among them. In his response he encapsulates the heart of biblical discipleship. “Having so fond an affection for you”…Biblical discipleship is done out of and because of the love of Christ. It is impossible to be either disciple or a disciple maker without love. “The Gospel of God”…Discipleship involves teaching the word the word of God and it is grounded in the Gospel of Christ. “Also our own lives”…Discipleship is relational. It cannot be done as a church program or a simple correspondence, there must be involvement. Making disciples involves both teaching the commands of God and demonstrating what it means to obey them.
Questions for application…
Why was Paul willing to endure hardship to come to Thessalonica?
Why must discipleship be relational ?
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