This Advent season will probably be like the ones in the past. The days will have more darkness than light, and the weather will be colder than warm. It will take place in a world that is broken. But it will be a reminder of how God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to be our salvation. Through Jesus and by Jesus we are able to be part of God’s kingdom on Earth.

In today’s reading we get a glimpse of what that means. Paul prays that the church at Thessalonica be made to increase and abound in love not only for one another but for all. Loving all can be a frightening thing. That’s why we pray that God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Our love is increased and abounds for others not when we ourselves will it to happen, but when the transformative power of Jesus works within us and the love He had for us begins to overflow.

[I Thessalonians 3.11-13]

11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What is love equated with in Paul’s prayer? [v. 13]

+ How does this reading fit into the larger Advent season?

+ Who is the emphasis on in this passage and why is that important?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Am I praying that the Lord increases my love for all?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Who am I being called to love?