2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 : Boundaries for the idle
Update: 2025-10-09
Description
Week 4 of our Bible study podcast discussion. Join Ponch and Claire as they unpack 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18.
Discussion Questions:
- What stood out to you? Any thoughts or questions you have about the passage?
- In this last section of the letter, Paul uses some strong language by “commanding” them to behave in a certain way. Why do you think he is using such strong language?
- What is distinctive about the idleness that is being warned against in this passage? What does it include and what does it exclude?
- Paul asks this church to set a boundary on people who are not working so they will feel “ashamed.” Does this make you uncomfortable? Why or why not?
- In verse 12, the language ‘earn their own living’ could also be translated as ‘eat their own bread.’ How might we square this with Acts 2:42-47 where we see the early church sharing all they have with each other?
- How do our churches practice this principle well? What are ways we get it wrong?
- How do we see Christ putting this principle into practice?
- In what ways have your head (knowledge), heart (loves) or hands (actions) been impacted by the study of this book?
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