The purpose of this lesson: To stress that congregations (as well as those in the congregations) have an influence exerted by their reputation for works/involvements or ungodly activity.
Congregations of Christians can have a powerful positive (or negative) influence as congregations. That does not mean everyone in a congregation is good and spiritually mature or bad and spiritually immature. Consider 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 4 as compared to 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 and consider Revelation 3:1-6 as examples. Evidently the congregation at Thessalonica had a powerful (good) influence as a congregation (consider 1 Thessalonians 1:8). Evidently the congregation in Sardis had a powerful negative influence, discouraging others who placed faith in Jesus Christ, because they claimed to be spiritually alive but were spiritually dead.
The congregation as a collection of Christians or as a collection of parts (leaders and followers; teachers and students; planners and workforce; programs and implementers; etc.) exerts an influence as a whole congregation. The individual Christian needs to realize he or she represents much more than self as he or she interacts with others.
[Christians in the first century often used the word church in some ways we of today do not use it. For example, what we commonly refer to as a congregation they might call a church.]
We use the word church in ways they did not (go to church), and they used the word church in ways we are unlikely to (such as calling a congregation a church).
Most Christians are familiar with the importance of a congregations reputation. If you as a Christian are visiting, you likely will be asked, Where do you attend church? If you respond to that question and your response meets with silence, it usually means one of two things. Either the asker never heard of that congregation, or the asker is trying politely to ignore your response. If the asker responds in a disapproving fashion, Ohyou go there, the asker has a negative view of that congregation. If the asker responds, I have heard about your wonderful mission work (or benevolent work, or inner-city outreach, etc.) the asker has a positive view of what the congregation is known for. Regardless of the response or if the response is correct, you are reminded that the congregations reputation has an immediate impact on others and on you. A congregation does lead through its work and the reputation that work generates!
The fact that congregations have reputations is a reality. You might ask the class to provide examples.
Consider todays texts. In the two letters to the congregation in Thessalonica, this congregation was widely known for the loving way they cared for each other. Faith in Jesus Christ drew them together. Every congregation in a large area knew them. Even Christians they did not know heard about them. This congregation was so well known for its faith and love that Paul did not need to say to other Christians, Have you heard about the relationships in the congregation at Thessalonica? (See 1 Thessalonians 1:8.)
Use the texts given to give biblical examples. Are there other texts you wish to call to the classs attention? Do so.
However, this congregation was not known for its correct understanding of the resurrected Jesus return. They thought if a Christian died before Jesus Christ returned, the Christian lost his eternal blessings (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). They were convinced that Jesus Christ was returning soon (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5).
Show in each example that what we would call a congregation had both correct and incorrect understandings/actions. It is possible for congregations to have good reputations when there are some incorrect views within.
Their misunderstandings of Jesus Christs return contributed significantly to their problems. Some Christians concluded there was no need to have a job because others would take care of them until Jesus returned. Some of these Christians lived undisciplined lives (idleness often results in foolish involvements and thoughtless decisions). Some had so much time that they meddled in others affairs (idle people tend to be full of expert advice). Some knew too much about everyone, so they filled their time with gossip and gossiping (the I know more than you know attitude tends to invent things to say best left unsaid).
The Christians in Thessalonica had a powerful reputation for love and caringwhich some abusedbut had a poor understanding of Jesus 2nd coming. There are no perfect congregations, but imperfect congregations can have good (and properly earned) reputations.
Two things are worthy of notation and remembrance. (1) Christians everywhere can be wonderfully correct about some things and woefully wrong about others. We all are a mixed bag of correct and incorrect. We are not accepted by God because we are l00% correct, but because we are forgiven. Read 1 John 1:5-10 and be sure to note verse 10. All of us need forgivenesscontinually!
Gods forgiveness and mercy are constantly extended to repentant Christians. God despises the arrogance of Christians who forget how dependent they are on divine forgiveness. Ask the class for examples of such arrogance.
(2) There is always room for spiritual growth and development! No matter how correct we are about some matters, we can be certain that we are misguided in other matters. Do not allow your ignorance or your convictions to deceive you! Always be willing to learn and to grow.
Where spiritual growth occurs, there will always be incorrectness. The only way to avoid incorrectness is through the stagnation of forced conformity.
In 2 Corinthians 8, congregations in unbelievable poverty taught congregations much better off about the attitude of generosity. These Christians were so poor that Paul saw them as candidates for Christian benevolence. They amazed Paul. Why? They refused to be left out of a gift to those in need in Jerusalem. They did not merely give sacrificially. Paul said they gave what they should not have given.
The ability to provide sound spiritual insight is not dependent on a situation of good economic well-being.
Why did they act this way? They had first given themselves to the Lord. When they understood what Paul sought to do, they understood how that act could achieve Gods will. Because they belonged to the Lord, they had to be involvedeven if involvement meant giving what they had no business giving.
Emphasize the things that provided their spiritual motivation.
Their poverty only heightened the power and impressiveness of what they did. Their example still teaches us 2000 years later what it means to belong to the Lord.
Their undesirable situation magnified the good they did.
The number one point: congregations lead by influencing other Christians in other places through the attitudes and the works of those congregations. Personally, use your life and your involvements to allow your congregation to be a positive encouragement to Christians in other places. Help the congregation be a people that others in the community wish to be inmay we attract people to Jesus Christ by revealing the positive impact Jesus Christ has on us.
Stress the importance of a congregation being known for the attitude of caring and encouragement in the congregation and in the community. That only happens when Christians collectively see themselves as being part of and representing the congregation. The congregation does not exist for me and my use, but I exist to represent it.
For Thought and Discussion
1. Is every person in a good congregation good or in a bad congregation bad? Use 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 4 compared to 3:6-12 and use Revelation 3:1-6 as an illustration.
No, they are not. The Christians in Thessalonica were known for their caring and love, but some completely misunderstood Jesus 2nd coming. The congregation at Sardis was dead, but a few were worthy.
2. Use this lesson to illustrate that first-century Christians did not always use church as we do.
In early Revelation (2-3) the word church is used as we would use the word congregation.
3. Discuss the importance of a congregations reputation.
The reputation of the congregation as a whole can be used (by assumption) to attribute a reputation (position) to every member.
4. The congregation at Thessalonica was known for what? How well known was it for these positive qualities?
The congregation at Thessalonica was known for its caring and love. Christians in the whole area of Macedonia and Achaia knew they were a loving, caring peopleto the extent that Paul did not have to mention or verify their love and care.
5. For what was this congregation NOT known? What did they think would happen to Christians who died before Jesus return?
They were not known for correct expertise on Jesus 2nd coming. They thought that Christians who died before Jesus returned lost their blessings for being faithful. Discuss what a discouraging view that would be to hold.
.
6. When did they think the resurrected Jesus would return?
They thought Jesus would return soonin their lifetime.
7. Discuss 4 ways this incorrect understanding of Jesus return significantly impacted their error.
Some did not work. Some lived undisciplined lives. Some meddled in others matters. Some became gossips.
8. What two things are worth noting and remembering?
a. Christians everywhere can be wonderfully correct about some things and woefully wrong about other matters.
b. There is always room for spiritual growth and development.
9. Discuss the poor congregations in 2 Corinthians 8.
Though they endured deep poverty, they were determined to be a part of Pauls project of converted gentiles helping Jews in need.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 5