Chapel Lesson for Week of 10/31/22 - Crown of Boasting

Big Idea: Investing ourselves in the lives of others for the sake of Christ will earn us the crown of boasting.

Memory Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (ESV)

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming?  Is it not you?

Bible Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

Tuesday: Lesson Introduction

• Song: Revelation Song
• Role-play some scenarios in which a person is evangelizing a nonbeliever; a person is discipling a fellow believer; and a person is just living for him/herself.  Then have each individual come up to God to receive their reward.  The people evangelizing and discipling will receive a crown, while the third person will not.

1. Evangelism role play
2. Discipleship role play
3. Doing nothing to invest in others role play.

• Discuss the role plays and ask who should receive a crown.  Demonstrate evangelism (the whole audience) and discipleship (Max and Jeremie) that are both bad and good.

Wednesday: (Bible Dig)

• Song: Revelation Song
• Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20 and discuss the following:
• What verses specifically point to Paul’s efforts at sharing the Gospel with the people of Thessalonica (evangelism), and what exactly do those verses say?  (v. 2-6, 9, 13 → speak boldly, face opposition, no deceit or impure motives or trickery, entrusted with the Good News, purpose is to please God, no flattery, not seeking praise or money, worked hard for a living so as not to be a burden, spoke the very word of God rather than human ideas)
• What verses specifically point to Paul’s efforts at discipling the people of Thessalonica, and what exactly do they say?  (v. 7-8, 11-12 → (like a mother feeding and caring for her children, shared their lives with them, treated them as a father his children, they pleaded with them and encouraged them and urged them to live worthy lives)
• Have students share times when they have shared the Gospel message with other people.  As an alternative, encourage students to discuss reasons why they have NOT shared the Gospel with others.
• Have students identify specific people in whose lives they have invested for the sake of Christ.  This can be family members, relatives, neighbors, friends, younger kids, people at church, etc.  Make sure they understand that this refers specifically to helping those people grow closer to Christ (discipleship).  If students are not sharing anything, then discuss ways they can start to invest in others for Christ.  Here are some ideas: ask Christians about their walk with the Lord, or how God has been working in their lives lately; serve in children’s ministry at church (for older students); be a role model for younger kids / siblings (for younger students); encouraging others to obey the Lord;  offer to pray for people; etc.
• What do verses 2 and 14-16 tell us about the Christian life?  (There will be persecution, opposition, suffering)  
• Should that stop us from sharing the Gospel with unbelievers and discipling other believers?  (No)
• Why not? What can we look forward to as a result of being faithful to share Christ and encourage others in their faith?  (verse 19 - the crown of boasting!)
• How can this help us when it seems like our work on earth does not seem to be bearing fruit or making a difference?  (Feel free to share on this as you feel led, but see the following personal note to you: Staff / parents - be encouraged!  Whether we see a lot of fruit / progress / difference in those we evangelize and disciple or not, we can be encouraged that a reward awaits us in heaven: our efforts do make an impact, and we will get to see exactly what difference we made when we stand before the bema seat and receive our rewards, because Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 that the people to whom we minister ARE in fact our reward and joy.  So be faithful, and do not lose heart!)

Thursday

• Song: Revelation Song
• Just continue where you left off yesterday in the Bible dig.  It might be good to start with a brief review of yesterday’s study.