1 Thes Life-study 9: The Reward of Fostering

They lived what they preached.

Bible reading: 1 Thes. 2:10-20

1 Thes. 2:10 You are witnesses, as well as God, how in a holy and righteous and blameless manner we conducted ourselves toward you who believe,
1 Thes. 2:11 Just as you know how [we were] to each one of you, as a father to his own children, exhorting you and consoling [you] and testifying,
1 Thes. 2:12 So that you might walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
1 Thes. 2:13 And because of this we also thank God unceasingly that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted [it] not [as] the word of men but even as it truly is, the word of God, which also operates in you who believe.
1 Thes. 2:14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus, for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they also from the Jews,
1 Thes. 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and drove us out; and they are not pleasing to God and are contrary to all men,
1 Thes. 2:16 In that they forbid us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so that they fill up their sins always. But wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
1 Thes. 2:17 But we, brothers, having been bereaved of you for a little while, in presence, not in heart, were more abundantly eager with great desire to see your face.
1 Thes. 2:18 Therefore we wanted to come to you, indeed I Paul, both once and again, yet Satan hindered us.
1 Thes. 2:19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at His coming? Are not even you?
1 Thes. 2:20 For you are our glory and joy.


Our understanding of Christian work
- Christian work is to grow instead of to educate or edification/improving characters.
- Paul considered the young believers are in a big family to grow together.
- Paul didn't give much teaching but gave life.
- A work of life - announcing the gospel to people without life. Therefore, our preaching the gospel is to impart life. As a father exhorting them and a mother nourishing them.


Education comes with growing as well so it is an important component but it is not all.
To imitate = to grow: Imitating in a family means to grow. Showing them (the children) the pattern.
Paul fed the young believers (his children) what he lived - his way of handling the Word of God, etc.


Paul was not trying to boast about himself but to feed the young believers what he lived. This kind of living can actually feed people.


Being a pattern is to feed people instead of trying to teach, teach, and teach. We might feel satisfied with our being able to teach others but it didn't feed people. The young believers can still be hungry.


What is the reward/crown (of fostering)


1 Thes. 2:19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at His coming? Are not even you?
1 Thes. 2:20 For you are our glory and joy.


- Paul was emotional but the best father- he just wanted to let the new believers know that whatever he had is really for the young believers. His life would be meaningless without these young believers (children).


- The best way to foster your children is to touch their (the children) heart.
- You thought to be an overcomer, you will be happy before the Lord - but Paul here said no, the glory and the joy are these believers.
- In order to care for new believers, we have to be such ones who are filled with Christ and live Christ.