I Thessalonians 2

“But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” (v7). Paul followed Jesus’ model of leadership rather than the world’s. Like a nursing mother and a kind father (v11), Paul said, the apostles poured themselves out for the well-being of the Thessalonians. They didn’t do it to get rich (v5) or to become famous (v6), and they tried to avoid being a burden to the new believers (v9). They “exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God” (v12).

God calls us to share not just the gospel but “our own selves” (v8), following the incarnational pattern of Jesus Himself.