“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Christ.” :9

Bible studies and notes for individuals and groups. St Phil’s Anglican Church Eastwood. 2020.

1 Summary and introduction

Background History: Thessalonica was founded around 315BC by Cassander, King of Macedonia. The Romans divided Macedonia into four districts in 167BC. Thessalonica was the capital of the second district.

Paul’s letters: Paul came to Corinth around 50AD. The first letter to the Thessalonians was written shortly after that, and the second letter only some months later. They are therefore some of the earliest letters, probably only preceded by Galatians. Paul was probably only in Thessalonica a couple of months.

Paul’s visit: During Paul’s second missionary journey, in Acts 17:1-10, he visited the Thessalonians with . They mostly attended the Jewish Synagogue – seeking to prove to the Jews from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. Some believed – such as Jason, Aristarchus and Secundus. In Acts 17:13 they encountered opposition from the Jews. This spread to the Gentiles – first a mob, then city officials. They made life difficult for the Christians. They forced Paul and Silas (and Timothy) to move on. When they were no longer welcome in the synagogue, they continued the mission to the Gentiles. Attacks continued on Paul and his workers (Paul replies to this in 1 Thess 2:3-12). A riot ensued. Jason and some other Christians were brought before the authorities, since they could not locate Paul and Silas. They were accused of hailing a rival emperor – Jesus (Acts 17:5) Under this pressure Paul was forced to leave, in order for Jason and the others to be released. This left the Thessalonians open to ridicule and persecution. Paul did try to return. (1 Thess 2:18)

The current situation: Jewish opponents were slandering Paul, saying that he was just trying to make money out of them. But Paul encourages the Christians to be strong, live Christian lives by not adopting pagan sexual practices, and then teaches them about the 2nd coming. Some expected Jesus to return in their lifetime, but now some of them were dying, they were beginning to doubt if he was coming back at all. Some had begun to become very idle, heavily rely on others for their living. This was a new church, and they needed help to go forward in their faith.

2 STUDY 1: Chosen by God. Changed by God. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Opening discussion If you visited another Christian church, what would you hope to see?

READ 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

1. Background: What do we know about the background of Thessalonica?

2. From the opening verses, what is the relationship between Paul and the Church in Thessalonica?

3. To what extent do you think verse 3 summarises the Christian faith?

4. In verse 4 Paul says the Thessalonians are “chosen”. What does this mean? Why would God choose them?

5. From verse 5: How did Paul bring the gospel to them?

3 6. From verses 6-9: How did the Thessalonians receive the gospel message?

7. Do you remember how you responded to the gospel when you first heard it? Or, if you have been a Christian since before you can remember, can you recall any times when your life has significantly changed upon hearing and responding to the message of the gospel?

8. How does our faith “ring out” (verses 8) from our own Church?

9. How does Paul encourage Christians to live in response to persecution?

4 STUDY 2. Challenges of Faith :1-16

Opening discussion What do you think are the major challenges our church faces? Perhaps you can even discuss the particular challenges. of your congregation.

READ Thessalonians 2:1-6

1. In verses 1-2, what do we learn of Paul’s devotion – to God, to the gospel, and to the Thessalonians?

2. In verses 3-6, we can hear behind Paul’s words the type of opposition and false accusations he was facing. What were they, and how did he defend himself (And Silas and Timothy with him)? Have you ever been accused of these sorts of things in your Christian ministry?

READ Thessalonians 2:7-12

3. In verses 7-12, Paul speaks of him and his co-workers as “young children”, as a “nursing mother”, and as a “father”. Why do you think he use these three relational comparisons to talk about their relationship with the Thessalonians? What does each comparison say about their relationship?

5 4. Do you think Paul is boasting in verse 10? If not, what is he doing?

5. Can verse 12 be interpreted as telling people that the Christian life is about “being worthy”? What could this phrase mean?

READ Thessalonians 2:13-16

6. Where does the power of Paul’s preaching and ministry come from?

7. What challenges are the Thessalonian church members facing from their own people?

8. Given the challenges we see here, and the challenges in serving God in ministry that we face today, what is your encouragement to keep going with God’s work and ministry?

6 STUDY 3: The Joy of Faith 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

Opening discussion What are some of the great joys in your faith?

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

1. What is Paul’s great joy? Why?

2. Why do you think Paul blames Satan for blocking his efforts to visit them?

READ :1-5

3. When Paul could not visit them, he sent Timothy. What did he hope Timothy would achieve with this visit? What were Paul’s concerns about the state of their faith?

READ 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

4. What does Timothy report to Paul about the state of the Thessalonian church?

7 5. What do you think verses 8 and 9 mean?

6. Verse 12 – what might be lacking in their faith?

7. Paul is obviously quite moved by their faith and the reports he hears. Why do you think this is? And do you have the same sort of response to seeing the faith of others known to you?

8. What is Paul’s desire for the Thessalonians as evidenced by his prayers? (verses 10-13)

9. What are your prayer points for your own church group, or for your Christian family, or Christian friends?

10. How would you describe your relationship with your church at the moment?

8 STUDY 4: Faith, in life and death :1-18

Opening discussion What have you heard people say about what they believe will happen when Jesus returns? Do you think these beliefs are true or false?

READ 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

1. In verses 1-2, Paul urges them again to live in the way he has taught them. Why should they listen to him?

2. Why does Paul say in verse 1: “do this more and more”? What is the urgency now?

3. Sexual impurity was an issue then as it was now. What are the implications for those who are sexually immoral/impure? (verses 3-8)

4. In verse 6, Paul particularly mentions those who take advantage of their brothers or sisters. In what ways could this happen in a Church family?

5. “Mind your own business” (verse 11) seems a strange instruction for people who are called on to share their faith with all people. In what sense should we mind our own business? And what is the reason for Paul saying this?

9 READ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

6. Why do Christians not need to grieve like non-believers when it comes to facing the death of loved ones?

7. What is the order of events Paul opens up for us in verses 14-17? John Stott uses 4 headings for this section which may be helpful: a. The Return – the Lord himself will come down from heaven b. The Resurrection – and the dead in Christ will rise first c. The Rapture – We who are still alive… will be caught up together with them d. The Reunion – and so we will be with the Lord forever. (This can be found in John Stott’s The Message of Thessalonians, Speaks Today Commentary series. Pages101-106)

How does knowing this help us in our faith?

8. Verse 18 – how is this an encouragement?

9. What questions do you still have about the day of Jesus’ return?

10 STUDY 5: Light and dark 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

Opening discussion What do you love the most about gathering together for worship with your Church family?

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

1. What does Paul tell us about the date of the return of Jesus in verses 1- 3?

2. What comparisons are made between people of darkness/night and people of light/day? In particular, how does Paul compare being drunk or sober with being in darkness or light?

3. What do verses 9-10 tell us about God’s purposes for us as believers?

4. In verse 11, what is the word “therefore” there for?

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

5. Who is Paul referring to in verses 12-13, and how should we treat them? Why does he make a point of this in the conclusion of his letter?

11 6. Who is Paul referring to in verses 14-15? What problems might the church have been facing for Paul to draw attention to these matters?

7. How do you personally work on being “patient with everyone”?

8. In verses 16-22, Paul seems to be particularly speaking about public worship gatherings (in particular, he writes with plural reference). If this is the case, what is Paul saying about what our worship meetings should look like?

9. Referring to verse 15, “Rejoice always”, John Stott writes in his commentary “We would be wiser to understand this instruction as meaning ‘Rejoice in the Lord always.’” (pages 124-125) This is a helpful clarification, as the word “rejoice” in this context comes from the word “grace”. So Paul is talking about rejoicing in a ‘God-sense’. So, what does it mean to “rejoice in the Lord”?

10. How can we ensure we do not “quench the Spirit” in our worship together? (verse 19)

11. How do verses 23-28 bring together some of the themes of the letter?

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