Giles P

(1 Thessalonians 1:10) What does verse 10 teach us about the Christian faith? Which of these elements are most important? Which are less important? Which are underemphasized by the church in our day? This is the gospel message in a nutshell, and no element is more important than any other. How ever some areas are given less of an airing than others in the church today. The word "wrath" has to images to me. God's anger at the unbelievers and God's love for us. We do not know when his Son from heaven will return but must be ready.

How important is imitation in the formation of a new Christian's spiritual life? How do we learn? Who do we watch? As a baby we watched our parents and learned from them. The same applies to a new Christian who watches older in the faith people to learn from them. Head knowledge is great, but that does not always tell us how we should act, or use that knowledge in a way that shows us the love God has for us that we should have for others What kinds of ministry are most conducive to imitation? If we can show love, patience, kindness and a willingness to serve (being a servant) then our actions and ministry will be copied and followed Why is the character of the mentor or leader so important to the health of the church? If the church is to prosper then it's leaders need to be respected, active and care for people in the church. A church leader shares his/her life with the church. How well do people grow in Christ who aren't part of a Christian community? Do they grow or decline? In what way is your character important to your family and spiritual children? If I am a leader(somebody who has been in the church for a period?) people will say what I do is the acceptable way. However as a leader I will have faults and areas for improvement

(1 Thessalonians 1:4-5) Why is the Holy Spirit's working so necessary to effective ministry? The Holy Spirit outworking in us produces spiritual outcomes that we as mere humans consider would not be able to achieve. We can be trained, we can talk/counsel people, we can have all the programs, but the holy spirit has to be with and among us to see results for the kingdom. What happens when the main power behind our ministry is will-power? This is when we are only operating on our own strength, and not working as a term with others and the with the Holy Spirit's assistance. We can only go so far with the Holy Spirit's help What is the role of miracles in Paul's evangelism? What would happen if we saw miracles in evangelism in our day? Miracles do exist and in some areas we are blind! open our eyes and listen and we would see and miracles around us. What is hindering this? Lack of prayer followed by a lack of faith on our behalf that God is working with and for us.

Why do you think there was so much strong opposition to Paul's ministry in Thessalonica? Why do you think Paul keeps preaching the gospel, even though there is often a violent reaction against him? Does a violent reaction to our ministry necessarily mean we should stop? Was it a violent reaction to his Ministry? Probably not initially but rather a reaction by the Jewish church to people joining Paul's ministry(church) and following Jesus. Some of these people had influence in a political area. The Jewish church would have lost significant monetary support as`well as political connections from those that left the Jewish church The other disturbing factor to the Jewish church was that the Christian church was also converting pagan Gentiles, something that the Jewish Church did not actively do. The Jewish church reacted by causing disruption, by using people not directly connected with the jewish church. This turned into violence. If our Ministry is successful and we know it is God's calling we must expect opposition, and should continue with love. Non Christians do not like seeing Christians being successful.

I am from New Zealand. This is my first online study and the first time I've joined and posted on a forum. I look forward to being involved in the study and where God will led us through it. I am looking forward to sharing my views with you.