The Book of First Thessalonians

The book of First Thessalonians

Writer: The apostle Paul (I Thessalonians 1:1) Date: A.D. 52-53 Theme: The second coming Background: Acts 17:1-10

After establishing the congregation in Thessalonica, Paul is forced to leave prematurely, before these new Christians could be fully grounded in the faith (Acts 17:5-10). Only a short time passes (I Thessalonians 2:17) when Paul sends Timothy back to inquire of their spiritual well-being (I Thessalonians 3:1-2). This epistle is written in response to the report Timothy brings back (I Thessalonians 3:6).

Questions for chapter one 1. How often did Paul remember them in his prayers? ______2. What three things did Paul remember without ceasing? a. ______b. ______c. ______Additional thought for question two What makes works so important to faith (James 2:24; 26)? ______What happens if love for the brethren is absent (I John 2:8-11; 3:14-17)? ______How does patience affect the life of a Christian? Romans 2:7 ______Romans 8:24-25 ______Luke 21:19 ______Hebrews 6:19 ______Hebrews 12:1-12 ______II Peter 1:5-8 ______3. What is unrighteous with God (see Hebrews 6:10)? ______4. Verse five reminds them that the gospel came unto them; in word, power of the Holy Spirit and much assurance. 2

a. What does the gospel contain (Romans 1:16)? ______b. How was the word confirmed in absence of a complete written record (Mark 16:17-20; Hebrews 2:3; II Corinthians 12:12)? ______c. What does assurance offer (Colossians 2:2; Hebrews 6:11)? ______5. How did the Thessalonians receive the word? ______6. What are the two providences of Greece? ______7. Looking at your map – what providence did Thessalonica belong to? ______8. What sounded out from Thessalonica? ______9. Who did they turn to? ______and what had they turned from? ______Fill in the blank “And to wait for his _____ from ______, whom he ______from the ______, even ______, which delivered ___from the ______to come”

Questions for chapter two 1. In what city were the missionaries shamefully treated? ______2. What two notable conversions occurred at Philippi (Acts 16:14-15; 30-34)? ______3. What did Paul say that God trusted them with? ______a. Who were they seeking to please? ______4. According to verses five and six, what three things were absent from their preaching? ______5. What manner did the missionaries display with these Christians? ______6. Were there times when the missionaries did not take support from those they preached to (See also I Corinthians 9:11-12; 18)? ______a. Did they take support from others (Philippians 4:14-16)? ______3

b. Is it right for a preacher to be supported (I Corinthians 9:14; Matthew 10:10)? ______7. How were they to walk? ______8. The church at Thessalonica received the word: a. Not as the ______b. But as it is in truth ______9. Paul said the Jews were guilty of three things: a. ______b. ______c. ______10. What were they trying to prevent the missionaries from doing? ______11. What three things would be realized at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ? a. ______b. ______c. ______

Questions for chapter three 1. Where was Paul when he sent Timothy back to them? ______2. What was Timothy’s mission? ______3. What did Paul tell them while he was yet with them? ______4. Who was a threat to their spirituality? ______a. Who is the tempter (Matthew 4:1-3)? ______5. Timothy brought good tidings in what three areas? a. ______b. ______c. ______6. Paul’s prayer for them is recorded in I Thessalonians 3:10-13. Night and day Paul prayed, what two things did he pray might happen in verse ten: a. ______4

b. ______7. What did Paul want them to abound in? ______and to what end? ______

Questions for chapter four 1. They were to walk pleasing to whom? ______2. Who gives the commandments in the New Testament? ______3. What were they to abstain from? ______4. What were they to possess? ______5. Concupiscence (evil – desire – lust - I Thessalonians 4:5; Romans 7:8; Colossians 3:5) would be engaged in by those who? ______6. Who is the avenger? ______7. What was Paul confident of concerning brotherly love? ______8. What were they not to be ignorant of concerning those which were asleep? ______9. What did they believe (know)? ______10. What three things would accompany the Lord’s coming? a. ______b. ______c. ______11. Who would rise first? ______12. What would happen to those who were alive? ______13. What would these words produce? ______

Questions for chapter five 1. What will the day of the Lord be like? ______2. What will happen to those who say peace and safety? ______3. Christians are the children of ______, and of ______4. Therefore, Christians are to ______and be ______5

5. What three things are Christians to put on? a. ______b. ______c. ______6. What has God appointed for Christians to obtain? ______7. The were exhorted to: a. Warn ______b. Comfort the ______(fainthearted – easily discouraged) c. Support the ______d. Be patient toward ______8. They were to pray ______9. “Prove ______; hold fast that which is good 10. “ ______from all appearance of evil” 11. What request did Paul make of them? ______12. Who is the epistle to be read to? ______