The Effective Work of the Gospel

Fall 2011 Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 2 The Effective Work of the Gospel

Study Tip:  Begin each day praising God and thanking Him for His love.  Read the passages for the day more than once for a better understanding of the text.  Look for ways to practically apply the truths of Scripture to your daily life.

Day One: Read Acts 16:1–17:5 and 1 Thessalonians 2; Paul’s Purpose 1. From last week’s study or lecture, what biblical principle did you apply to your life?

2. Looking at 1 Thessalonians 1 and Acts 17, what evidences prove Paul’s visit was not in vain?

3. According to the Acts passages, describe the sufferings Paul referred to in 1 Thessalonians 2:2.

4. Dig Deeper: Do you think Paul and his companions were surprised by the response of the people in Philippi? Explain your answer.

5. According to 1 Thessalonians 2:2, how did Paul and his companions respond to their suffering and mistreatment?

a. What lesson can you learn from their response and how can you apply it to your own life?

Day Two: Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1–6; Paul’s Purity 1. Why did Paul, Silas, and Timothy visit the Thessalonians?

2. From these verses, how did Paul defend the integrity of his message?

3. Read Titus 1:10–16. Compare Paul’s encouragement to the church in Thessalonica with his exhortation to the churches in Crete. What was Paul warning the churches in Crete about?

a. What distinguishes teaching based on truth from teaching based on error?

b. How would understanding these differences benefit a believer in our culture today?

4. From verses 4–6, identify a specific application that you could make this week.

Day Three: Read 1 Thessalonians 2:7–12; Paul’s Pleasure 1. What illustration does Paul use to describe his care for the Thessalonians? 2. Read 2 Corinthians 12:14–15, Galatians 4:19, and Matthew 20:28. How do each of these verses picture Christ’s relationship with believers?

3. Without consulting a dictionary, write one or two synonyms for the word “impart.”

a. What do you think it means to impart one’s life to another?

4. From verses 9–11, what verbs does Paul use to describe his behavior toward the Thessalonians?

5. What specific adjectives does Paul use in verse 10 to describe his behavior toward the Thessalonians?

6. What was the goal of Paul’s interaction with the Thessalonians? Cite the verse.

a. Who could you encourage this week in the same way Paul encouraged the Thessalonians?

Day Four: Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13–16; Paul’s Prayers 1. In your own words, what is the “word of God?”

2. From verse 13, write three or four truths about the gospel.

3. How would Paul’s words in verses 14–15a have encouraged the Thessalonians, and how do they encourage believers today?

4. According to verse 15b–16, what is the reality of those who oppose the truth?

Day Five: Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17–20; Paul’s Praise 1. Review Acts 17:5–9. Why was Paul taken away from the Thessalonians?

2. How did Paul respond to this separation?

3. Dig Deeper: Persecution and suffering often discourage believers from continuing in God’s work. How can persecution and suffering motivate believers to persevere? Cite Scripture to support your answer.

4. How does Paul describe the Thessalonians in verses 19–20? a. How can you be a joy to someone this week?

5. How many times do the following words appear in this chapter? a. God

b. Christ

c. Lord Jesus

d. What does this reveal about Paul’s heart?

6. What do you learn about God in this chapter?

______Anderson/Peters September 28, 2011