(Our Reforming Group Guides are designed to be inductive, using the COMA form of study: Context, Observation, Meaning, Application). For more on this method, check out this article.)

By way of introduction: What do people say “holiness” is?

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

1. Could you outline the context of the first half of the letter?

2. How does the structure of the three prayers at the start, middle and end shape this letter (1:2-3, 3:11-13, 5:23-24)?

3. Look at verses 1-2, what are the connections to the language of “walk” throughout the New Testament? How do these verses enrich our understanding? (Check out Ephesians 4:1, Colossians 1:10)

4. From verses 3-7, what is God’s will for your life?

5. In the time these words were written and read, and in our time, “abstaining from sexual immorality” (πορνεία, porniea), receives some pushback. How are we motivated to see why we would, from these verses?

6. Why do people who let themselves be controlled by lust don’t really know God at all (verse 5)? For a helpful cross-reference, read Hebrews 12:14).

7. We see from that one line in verse 8 that God is not only the avenger and judge, yet He is also a giving God. Reflect on this as you read Ezekiel 36:26-27 and Hebrews 7:26 - how does Christ change everything for us?

8. How would you describe what holiness is, and what it means for us to be holy?

Pray for one another of Reforming, and for friends of Reforming who need to meet Jesus in the Bible.