I Thessalonians 5:1-11
Responsive Reading – I Thessalonians 5:1-11
Leader: Concerning the time of Christ’s return, you do not need to have everything spelled out for you, my brothers and sisters.
People: We know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
Leader: When people are saying, “We live in peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman.
People: There will be no escaping it.
Leader: But you, loved ones, are not in darkness; that day will not surprise you like a thief.
People: We are children of the light, children of the day. We are not of the darkness and the night.
Leader: Let us not fall asleep as others do.
People: Let us stay awake and be sober.
*Leader: Those who sleep, sleep at night; those who are drunk, get drunk at night.
*People: But we belong to the day; let us, therefore, be sober
Leader: Put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, put on the hope of salvation.
People: God has destined us not to receive his wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord, Jesus Christ who died for us.
Leader: Whether we are awake or asleep, we may live for him.
People: Let us continue to encourage one another and build each other up.
* - These two statements may be dropped from the reading; they are a little confusing and perhaps throw off the corporate reading of Scripture. If you eliminate them, call it a “Reading from I Thessalonians 5:1-11” or “Responsive Reading – I Thessalonians 5:1-6, 8b-11.” One of the problems with the corporate reading of Scripture is that some verses – while filled with truth – may distract from the overall message of a passage. This is an example of that!
Hymn/Song Suggestions:
“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”
“Children of the Heavenly Father”
“Heavenly Sunlight”
“There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today”
“Sleepers, Awake”
“O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright”
“The Lord Will Come and Not Be Slow”
“Wake, Awake for Night Is Falling”