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But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.

I Thess 2:7

In the second and third chapters of I Thessalonians Paul is reminding them of aspects of his visit with them.  He and Silus and Timothy birthed the church there and this letter is to clear up some things and to give them some more teachings.  The above verse is an example of the close relationship that he had with them.  These guys nurtured this baby church like a nursing mother.  A few verses later we see that they also treated them like a father with urgings and encouragements.

. . . just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

I Thess 2:11-12

That’s relationship!  It’s also our pattern for discipleship.  Leading a person to Christ is the most incredible thing but we can’t walk away and think our job has been accomplished.  That new believer has just stepped into an entirely new realm and needs a mentor.  Paul is brilliant in his follow-up.  All of his writings in the New Testament are follow-ups to the churches that he planted.  He constantly prays for them and straightens out any problem that may arise.  He also sends friends to check on them if he can’t visit.  This is our example.  This is relationship.