Book of 1st Thessalonians.
1st Thessalonians One….(verses 1-10)
1. Verses 1-10
a. Read the whole chapter through….what sort of people were the Thessalonian believers?
They had turned to God from worshipping idols, and were now great is works of faith and love, having a patient hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. were great in works of faith and love. They followed the Lord in spite of affliction with joy, and were a cheerful people. They were a good example to all who knew them.
b. What was Paul’s reaction whenever he thought of them? (verses 2-3)
He gave thanks to God for them and prayed for them.
c. How did Paul’s preaching go over to them? (verse 5)
Not just as words, but in the power of the Holy Spirit with conviction.
d. What did they do when they heard the message? (verse 6a)
They turned to the Lord from idol worship and followed Paul’s message.
e. How do people feel when they follow the Lord wholeheartedly? (verse 6b)
They feel joyful, contented, fulfilled and happy.
f. What was the result of these people following the Lord? (verse 8)
They started preaching to people everywhere and people could tell that they had great faith in God.
g. What did Paul remind them about Jesus, the Son of God? (verse 10)
That He is risen from the dead and is coming again; that they were delivered from God’s wrath to come, by Him.
2. Challenge…..
a. What is the challenge for you in this chapter?
There are several challenges for me here…..
- How much do I thank God for fellow-believers when I think of them?
- How much is my work of faith and labour of love centred on the Lord? In other words, do I do it because there is a need or because I love the Lord?
- What is my testimony like before others? Am I a good example for others to follow?
1st Thessalonians Two….(verses 1-20)
1. Verses 1-13
a. Where had Paul come from before he arrived at Thessalonica? What had happened to him at that place? (verse 2a; Acts 16:12; 17:1)
He had been in Philippi where he had been put in jail, and then let go. Thessalonica was their next stopover.
b. What does Paul mean when he says he preached with “much contention”? (verse 2; Acts 17:5)
The local Jews of the synagogue caused a riot because of Paul’s preaching.
c. How did Paul regard the preaching of the Gospel? (verse 4)
As being “allowed” by God to do it….God trusted him to do it in its entirety and not to leave out bits that didn’t please the people’s ears.
d. What was Paul’s attitude to the people when he preached? (verse 5-8)
He presented the truth without any thought of payment or trying to impress anyone….he was gentle with them and loved them with a godly love….he gave himself wholly to them.
e. How did Paul get money to travel around the place? (verse 9; Acts 18:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8)
He worked at making tents when he could and the rest of the time Christians sent him gifts of money and things to keep him going. He made a point of preaching the gospel freely and not having collections where he was preaching.
f. What sort of testimony did Paul have among the people he was preaching to? (verses 10-11)
They could all see that he lived a holy life and did his best for everyone…..there was never any hint of scandal or immorality in connection with Paul.
g. What was Paul’s main concern? (verses 12-13)
That the believers would walk worthy of God and take his preaching as the Word of God (which it was) and act on it.
2. Verses 14-20
a. What did the people find when they became believers? (verse 14)
That they were persecuted for their faith.
b. What did Paul find that his fellow Jews did to him? (verses 15-16; Acts18:12-13)
They persecuted him, put him in jail and tried to stop him preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles.
c. What do we hear unbelievers say today about missionaries going overseas to preach the Gospel?
Why not leave them as they are….they are happy with their own pagan ways!
d. Who did Paul say hindered him from preaching? (verse 18)
It was Satan who hindered Paul’s visit.
e. How did Paul regard the Thessalonian believers? (verse 19)
As his joy and crown of rejoicing to see them going on for the Lord.
f. What is one of the greatest joys a preacher or teacher can have? (verse 20; 3 John 1:3-4)
To see and hear those who made a profession of faith are continuing on and growing many years later.
3. Challenge….
a. What is the challenge in this chapter for teachers and preachers? (Verses 5, 7, 11)
To teach the Word simply and wholly. To not try to impress the listeners or you will fall flat on your face. Love the people you are talking to….don’t talk down to them or harangue them.
b. What is the challenge in this chapter for the listeners? (Verses 12, 13)
To walk worthy of the Lord, and live in a way that is pleasing to God remembering we are part of His kingdom. Also to accept Paul’s teaching as the Word of God.
1st Thessalonians Three….(verses 1-13)
1. Verses 1-13
a. What was Paul concerned about in verses 1-2?
He was worried in case the Thessalonian believers had fallen away because of their trials.
b. What did he do about it? (verse 2)
He sent Timothy off to see how they were doing while he stayed alone at Athens.
c. Is the Christian life easy with no troubles any more? (John 16:33)
No! Jesus Christ told His disciples that they would have troubles and tribulations.
d. What comfort is there in what the Lord Jesus said in the above verse ?
The fact that He has overcome the world, and will be with us in our troubles.
e. What was said at Paul’s conversion about this sort of thing? ( Acts 9:16)
Paul was told that he would suffer many things for the sake of Christ.
f. What did Paul say in verses 3-5?
He had told these people that they would suffer for their faith; they were under no illusions about that.
g. What comfort can we have in the midst of trouble? (Psalm 37:39-40)
God is our strength in these times and will help and deliver us as we trust in Him.
h. What set Paul’s mind at rest in this matter? (verses 6-8)
Timothy arrived back with the good news that they were still going on for the Lord.
i. What lesson can we learn from Paul about praying for fellow believers? (chapter 1:2)
He always thanked God for them BEFORE making his requests.
j. What does Philippians 4:6 teach us about praying?
It tells us to ask with thanksgiving for the answer before it comes.
k. How does this contrast with normal requests?
We ask, expecting our requests to be granted in OUR way, and are disappointed if we don’t get what we ask for!
l. What was Paul’s great desire in verses 10-11?
That he would be able to visit them again to encourage them in their faith.
m. What did he want them to do? What about us today? (verse 12)
He wanted them to increase in their love for each other; in the same way, we are to love other believers.
n. What will this do for each of us in the end? (verse 13; 1 John 2:28)
It will help us to establish our hearts in holiness so we will not be ashamed before Christ at His coming.
1st Thessalonians Four….(verses 1-18)
Read this chapter in a modern translation………..
1. Verses 1-12
a. What is Paul saying in verses 1-2?
You know how I’ve told you to live in a way that is pleasing to God, keep doing this more and more.
b. Can a Christian ever afford to relax in his way of living for the Lord? (1 Timothy 4:14-16)
No, we must be on guard all the time and continue in the way of the Lord.
c. Where did Paul get all his teaching from? Did he attend a Bible college of any sort? (Acts 22:3; Galatians 1:11-12, 15-17)
Paul had attended the best teaching place he could, learning to be a Pharisee and steeped in the Old Testament Scriptures, with Gamaliel as his teacher. But when he started to follow Jesus Christ, he went off to a quiet place where he learned direct from the Lord Himself how the teachings he had received all those years tied in with the other Scriptures.
d. Do you think it is possible for a person today to learn in this way without going to a Bible College? (2 Timothy 2:15)
Yes, if a person is very self disciplined and spends time every day on their knees before God and learning what the Bible teaches, it is possible, and in fact it is the best way. By using other books as background material (equivalent of teachers) and relying on the Lord Himself through the Word, one can be taught as much as one who earns an earthly diploma. Those people often come out of college with merely a head full of knowledge, whereas one who had been taught by the Holy Spirit and life’s experiences has a true heart knowledge. Living in a BibleCollege environment is an unnatural existence like a plant in a hot house. We have to prove God’s strength and help in the storms of life.
e. People often get hung up on what God’s will is for their lives…..here is one plain statement of God’s will for each of us…..what is it? (verses 3-5)
That they live free of any sort of immorality….that they marry and live pure lives free from sexual sin, not jumping in and out of other people’s beds.
f. What other things are we specifically told are God’s will for us? (chapter 5:18; Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 2:13-15)
To have our minds transformed from the world’s way of thinking to God’s ways; to be thankful in every circumstance; to obey all the laws and by-laws of our country.
g. What clear statements does Paul make in verses 7-8?
God has called us to live a holy life….if anyone despises this, they are despising God Himself, not just those who teach His way.
h. What is Paul telling the Thessalonians here? (verses 9-11)
To increase in their love for one another and to be quietly minding their own business and to work for a living.
i. Do you think that this still applies for today?
Yes! Any job is better than expecting the government to keep you!
j. What does work do for a person? (verse 12)
It keeps one’s self respect; it enables one to have what they need and also be able to give to others; it keeps one busy and stops a tendency to gossip.
2. Verses 13-18
a. Read this passage right through first…..what is it all about? (verses 13-18)
It is about the Lord’s return for His people.
b. Where did Paul get this idea of Christ’s return from? (verse 15a)
He was told by the Word of the Lord Himself.
c. Why was Paul telling the believers this? (verse 13)
So they wouldn’t sorrow like the pagans did when a Christians died, and that it would be a comfort to them.
d. What will happen to believers who have died when Christ comes back? (verses 14-17)
Their bodies will rise first from the grave to be re-united with their spirits which are coming with Him BEFORE the living believers are caught up to meet Him.
e. How long will it take for all this to happen? (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
In the blink of an eyelid! 1/25 of a second!
f. What historical evidence do we have that this is possible? (Matthew 27:50-53)
The fact that graves were opened when Christ died on the cross and the people rose from the dead, and appeared to many.
g. What does verse 17 tell us?
That living believers will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord and the resurrected dead, in the air.
h. What is the question that everyone would like to ask and get an answer for? What ARE we to know? (Acts 1:6-7)
WHEN is this going to happen? We are not told when….we ARE told it is not for us to know the times or seasons…..all we know is that it is going to happen and we are to be ready and waiting for it.
i. What does this sure and certain hope do for the believer? (Titus 2:12-13)
It should keep us looking up a d waiting for it, living our lives to the best of our ability so we won’t be ashamed before Him at His coming.
j. What is the challenge in this for us today? (1 Peter 1:4-11)
How much do I think of Christ’s return as a personal thing that affects ME? Am I living a fruitful life for the Lord?
1st Thessalonians Five….(verses 1-28)
1. Verses 1-11
a. What is the one question that everyone has always wanted to know the answer to? (Acts 1:6)
Is the world going to have an end and if so, when?
b. What did Jesus answer when His disciples asked this? (Acts 1:7-8)
It isn’t for you to know that….your job is to get on with telling the Good News.
c. What is Paul saying in verses 1-2?
You know perfectly well that no-one knows for sure when the Lord will return, so I won’t waste time speculating! It will be like a burglar break-in….it will happen when one least expects it.
d. What did Christ say about this coming “day of the Lord”? (Mark 13:32)
He said the no person, angel or even Himself as the son knows when it will take place, only God the Father. When He saws “Go”, it will happen.
e. What are some of the signs that it is near? (Matthew 24:6-8)
Wars and rumours of wars; great earthquakes and natural disasters; signs in the sun, moon and stars; the fact that peace treaties have been signed and man thinks he has solved all the problems.
f. Is there any chance that this might not happen? How inevitable is it? (verse 3)
It is as inevitable as a pregnant woman giving birth!
g. What are the contrasts mentioned between verses 4-10?
Night and day; light and dark; sleep and wake; sober and drunk.
h. What is the picture of the non-believer here? (verse 4)
One who belongs to the night and to the darkness; one who is drunk and asleep; one who buries his head in the sand and won’t face facts!
i. What is the believer to do as the time draws nearer? (verses 8-10)
To face the facts, to arm ourselves with faith and love, and to remember that we have been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ whether we live or die.
j. What are we to do and be towards the other believers? (verse 11)
We are to be an encouragement, and comfort and edify each other.
2. Verses 12-22
a. What sort of people are spoken of in verse 12?
The leaders of the church and those who work in and for the church.
b. How is the congregation to regard these ones? (verse 13)
With respect and listen to them, to love them and not to squabble amongst themselves about them.
c. What is to be done with those who aren’t very committed Christians? (verse 14)
Those who are misbehaving are to be warned; those who are weak are to be supported and those who are feeble are to be comforted and encouraged; and patience is to be shown to all.
d. What is verse 15 saying?
Believers are not to pay anyone back for doing them wrong….they are to be good to all, both believers and non believers.
e. What sort of attitudes are believers to cultivate? (verses 16-20)
They are to be happy and joyful always cheerful, in a constant attitude of prayer and thankful to God for all things and circumstances.
f. Why are we to be like this? (verse 18)
This is how God intends His people to be…..it is His will that they be joyful, cheerful, content, thankful and prayerful.
g. What is the believer in danger of doing if he doesn’t cultivate these ways? (verse 19)
He is in danger of putting out the work of God’s Holy Spirit in his life.
h. What other sorts of behaviour grieves God’s Holy Spirit? (Ephesians 4:30-31)
Bitterness, anger, bad temper and quarrelling.
i. What is the Biblical way to treat a preacher’s teaching? (verse 21; Acts 17:11)
To check it out by the Scriptures; to test what has been said by what the Bible says.
j. Why is it wise to do this?
Because the Scriptures give us God’s Word on matters and there are some preachers who twist the Word to suit themselves. We are to discard what doesn’t line up with Bible verses
3. Verses 23-28
a. What is Paul’s prayer for these people? (verse 23)
That they will be kept clean and holy….set apart for God in their way of life.
b. What do we notice about the make-up of a human being? (verse 23b)
Every person has three parts…. a spirit, a soul, and a body.
c. How do we know that there is a soul and spirit in each person? (verse 23b; Hebrews 4:12)
They are mentioned in this verse as being different.
d. What do you think the difference is between a person’s soul and spirit? (Genesis 2:7b; Romans 8:16)
Man’s soul is the centre of his being, the part that thinks, feels and knows things and responds to other people, and animals have a soul that responds to their masters, owners and offspring. Man’s spirit is the part of man that can respond to God, and an animal doesn’t have this. The body is merely the case that houses both spirit and soul.
e. What should the Christian be looking forwards to? (verse 23c)
The return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His people.
f. Who gives the believer the strength to live as he should? (verse 24)
God who calls us, equips us to live for Him.
g. What does Paul feel the need of? (verse 25)
Prayer…..he doesn’t just need to pray for others, he needs their prayers too…..we are to surround each other with prayer.
h. How does Paul describe the Christians there? (verses 25-26)
As holy brothers of his.
i. What can each of us carry with us at all times? (verses 28)
God’s grace. If we think of ourselves carrying a bag full of God’s grace with us, it will give us the strength to cope with difficult situations, it will give us more patience and cheerfulness…..let’s think of it like that!
4. The Challenge….
a. What is the challenge in this book for you? (1:10; 2:12)
that everything we say and do should be centred around the coming again of Jesus Christ.
b. What are we told to do in the light of this fact?
i. 1:10 To wait for His coming
ii. 2:19 To live remembering that we will be with Him
iii. 3:13 To be found established in Him, living holy lives
iv. 4:15-17 To remember the second coming as told us here.
v. 5:2 That it will come unexpectedly, when least expected.
c. What sort of people were the Thessalonian Christians ? (chapter 1:3, 6)
They were full of works of faith, labours of love and patient in hope of Christ’s return…..they were good examples to all the believers in the surrounding areas, and they preached the Gospel faithfully.
d. Finally, are WE like this?
Book of 2nd Thessalonians.
2nd Thessalonians One ….(verses 1-12)
1. Verses 1-12
a. Who was associated with Paul as he was writing this letter? (verse 1)
Silvanus and Timothy (Timotheus)
b. What was Paul thanking God for in verse 3? What was happening to the believers at Thessalonica?
The believers were growing in faith, their love for each other was great and Paul was thanking God for this aspect of their growth.
c. What did this knowledge do for Paul? (verse 4a)
It encouraged him, and in turn he was using them as an example to other groups of believers.
d. What else does Paul mention about these believers? (verse 4b)
That they were having to go through persecution and troubles.
e. What did these trials prove? (verse 5)
That the general climate of the land which was under God’s judgment, was affecting the believers as well as everyone else; their reactions to their circumstances proved they really were followers of Christ.
f. What did Jesus Christ tell His followers would happen to them? (John 15:20-21; 16:33)
That just as He was being persecuted and having troubles, so they would too.
g. What different aspect of the second coming of Christ do we see in this passage? (verses 7-9)
It is that His coming will be one of judgement and vengeance on those who do not know God and who do not obey the Gospel of God.
h. What is the physical aspect of Christ’s return in verse 8?
He will have His mighty angels with Him and appear in flaming fire.
i. How will the men of the world feel then? (Revelation 6:15-17)
They will be terrified, and try to hide from Him
j. How will the believers view Christ at His return? (verse 10; Revelation 5:9-10)
They will admire Him greatly and exalt, glorify and praise Him.
k. What is God’s purpose for His people? (verse 11)
That they may reflect His goodness and be faithful to Him and glorify the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
l. How does Paul refer to Jesus? How many times is this title used in this chapter? (verses 1, 2, 8, 12)
He refers to Him as the Lord Jesus Christ….it is used four times in this chapter.
m. What do you think this is telling us? James and Jude were His earthly brothers who grew up with Him….how do they refer to Him? (James 1:1; Jude 1:21)
We should never talk glibly about “Jesus” but give Him His full title always….this reminds us of Who He was on earth (Jesus), the work He came to do (Christ) and the reverence that we hold Him in now (Lord)…..what He means to us. Both James and Jude give Him His full title of Lord Jesus Christ.
n. What is verse 12 saying?
That not only do we glorify our Lord Jesus Christ when we live for Him, but somehow He glorifies us in doing this.
2nd Thessalonians Two ….(verses 1-17)
1. Verses 1-17
a. What was Paul afraid the Thessalonians might have heard? (verses 1-5)
That other people were telling them that Christ was about to return immediately.
b. What did Paul say must happen before Christ does come back? (verses 3-4)
That a wicked man (or system) puts itself in the place of God, demanding to be worshipped and obeyed.
c. What is already going on in the world today? (verse 7a)
This system is already being put into place.
d. What does John say about this system? (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3)
He calls it anti Christ and says this spirit of antichrist has always been in the world….anything that denies that Jesus Christ is the Son of God is antichrist and refuses to acknowledge God is antichrist.
e. What is preventing (or holding back) this time from happening right now? (verse 7b; John 16:7-13; 2 Peter 3:9)
It is because God is using His Spirit to convince and convict men of the truth so that more will come to know Him while there is still time.
f. What will people choose to believe when faced with the truth? (verses 8-11)
They will believe a lie and will revel in their unrighteousness.
g. What will the end result of this be? (verse 12)
They will be damned and judged for it all.
h. What fact does Paul turn this chapter around on in verse 13?
The fact that God has chosen a people for Himself.
i. When did God choose his people? (Ephesians 1:4)
Before He even began creation…..it was all part of His plan to prove that He IS LOVE!
j. What does Paul tell the believers to do? (verse 15)
To not deviate from what they have been taught, and to stand fast for the Lord.
k. What does Paul tell us that God has given us? (verses 16-17)
An everlasting consolation and good hope; comfort and establishment in every good thing….there is no need to worry and stew about ANYTHING!
2. Review this chapter in the light of today……..
Verse 2. Don’t worry about what you see and hear going on round about you.
Verse 6 God has everything under control and in His time it will al work out.
Verse 15 Our job is to stand firm in the things of God’s Word.
Verse 16 Remember that God loves His people and has given us this hope
and promise to hang onto.
2nd Thessalonians Three ….(verses 1-18)
1. Verses 1-18
a. What does Paul ask prayer for? (verses 1-2)
That God’s Word will spread and be glorified and that he would be protected from trouble makers.
b. What does he tell us about the Lord in verses 3-5?
- That the Lord is faithful and will establish His people, keeping them from evil.
- Paul had confidence that the Lord would touch the Thessalonians to be obedient to Him.
- That the Lord would direct His people’s hearts into His love and to wait patiently for Christ’s return.
c. “Tradition” in the church today seems almost to have become a dirty word…..is tradition a good or a bad thing? (verse 6c; Colossians 2:8)
It depends what the tradition is based on….the traditions of men mean nothing to God, but the traditions based on His Word and commands are most important.
d. How importantly does Paul view the traditions that he taught? (verse 6; 1 Corinthians 14:37)
Paul knew that what he taught was God’s Word to the church, and as such, these new traditions were to be upheld….they were not to be despised in the future.
e. What about today? (verse 1; Hebrews 13:8)
God’s Word is still the same today, and traditions built on His word still stand. Remember, the changes of today, become the “traditions” of tomorrow.
f. What was Paul’s aim as he went around preaching? (verse 8; Acts 20:33-35)
To be a self supporting missionary/preacher as much as he could.
e. Why was this? (1 Thessalonians 2:9)
As an example to the believers to get out and work for their keep.
f. What every day saying backs up verse 11?
Satan finds mischief for idle hands to do!
g. What were they to do if one of their number refused to work when he could? (verses 14-15)
They weren’t to socialise with him or give him meals, but were to encourage him to find work.
h. What indicated that all Paul’s letters were indeed dictated by him personally? (verse 17)
He put his signature on each of them.