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1 & 2 Thessalonians Study Guide

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1 & 2 Thessalonians Study Guide Community Groups DISCOVER | CONNECT | SERVE Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV) Why Community Groups? Because God created us to live life in the context of relationships! This is an opportunity for you to connect with others as you experience real life-change in your Christian walk. What is a Community Group? A “small group” of 6-10 people who “do life” together as they grow in their love for God, His word, and others. Community Groups encourage folks to take their next step spiritually as they: (1) Discover God and His grace, (2) Connect with others in life- transforming relationships, and (3) Serve the church and the world. Thus, a Community Group is an environment where we are transformed more and more into the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29-30). Our conviction is that “real life-change only happens in the context of biblical community.” In addition to this, a Community Group is also a place for folks to have fun as they celebrate and share life together! Come join us! Our journey begins with a study of the epistles (or letters) of 1 & 2 Thessalonians. The following Study Guide is intended to immerse you into God’s word so that you will grow closer to Him in the context of life-transforming relationships. Topeka Bible Church 1135 SW College Ave. Topeka, KS 66614 | (785) 234-5545 | www.DiscoverTBC.com DISCOVER | CONNECT | SERVE Community Groups | TBC STUDY ONE | 1 THESSALONIANS 1:1-10 BACKGROUND: Author: The Apostle Paul, Silvanus (Silas; Acts 15:40) and Timothy (Acts 16:1) Date written: c. A.D. 51; This is one of Paul’s earliest letters. Written To: The Church at Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9) in order to encourage them to live faithfully until the authors themselves could to visit the people of the church face to face. Paul, Silas, and Timothy open with words of encouragement for the Thessalonians who have lived out their faith in exemplary ways. We do well to follow their example! 1. Why would one letter be written by three men (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:19; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:1; Philippians 1:1)? Why do these men constantly thank God for the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; Acts 17:1-4)? How did the Thessalonians live (2 Thessalonians 1:3; cf. Ephesians 4:1-3)? 2. Are you characterized as someone who carries out a work of faith (1 Thessalonians 1:3)? How is this different from a labor of love (1 Corinthians 13:13)? Do you have enduring or steadfast hope (Titus 2:13)? What is the key to living this sort of life (Hebrews 12:2)? 3. Do you believe that you are loved and chosen by God (1 Thessalonians 1:4; John 3:16; Colossians 3:12)? Why didn’t the authors’ gospel come to the Thessalonians in word alone (1 Thessalonians 1:5)? What difference does power, the Holy Spirit, and conviction make (Romans 1:16)? 2 4. The Thessalonians became imitators of Paul, Silas, and Timothy as well as of Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:10, 17). For whom did the Thessalonians serve as a model (1 Thessalonians 1:7-8)? Are you modeling a similar life of faith? 5. Do you know anyone who has turned from “idols” to serve the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9; Acts 14:15)? What idols from your past have you turned from to serve God? What idols are you still struggling with (Galatians 4:8-9)? 6. God is described as “living and true” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Do you often think of God as “living” (Psalm 42:2; Daniel 6:26; Hebrews 10:31)? Do you believe that the God of the Bible is the only living and true God (Isaiah 44:6; 45:5)? Why or why not? 7. What is the greatest expectation we have as Christians (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Philippians 3:20-21)? What is this “wrath” from which Jesus rescues us (Romans 1:10; 5:9)? Who do you know who needs to be saved from this coming wrath? MEMORY VERSE: 1 Thessalonians 1:3 – We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Community Groups | TBC STUDY TWO | 1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-16 The authors remind (or give an “apostolic defense” to) their readers of their diligent ministry in Thessalonica lest their readers doubt their sincerity. 1. How did the authors earn credibility with the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 2:1-2; Acts 16:12, 22; 17:5)? Should we learn anything from their suffering (1 Peter 4:16)? Who gave them strength and boldness (2 Corinthians 4:7; 12:9)? 2. What defined the authors’ appeal (1 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2)? Whom did the authors seek to please when proclaiming the gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:4-6; Galatians 1:10-12)? Do you seek to please others or God (cf. Luke 16:13)? 3. What “familial” references do you see in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8? What does this imagery communicate about the authors’ attitude towards the Thessalonians (Galatians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 12:15)? Who in your life has demonstrated similar “affection” and Christ-like care towards you? 4. How else did the authors’ lives add to the credibility of their purpose (1 Thessalonians 2:9-10)? Are you a “burden” to others (parents, friends, co-workers, etc.)? How can being a burden hurt your effectiveness in sharing the gospel (2 Corinthians 11:9)? 4 5. What additional “familial” language do the authors use and what does this communicate (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)? From where did the gospel originate (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Galatians 1:11-12)? Do you believe this same gospel is still at work in your life (Hebrews 4:12)? Why or why not? 6. Are churches suffering today just as the churches of the first century suffered (1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Peter 4:12-16)? Why did the Jews kill Jesus and the prophets (1 Thessalonians 2:15; Matthew 23:29-32; Luke 24:19-20; Acts 7:51-52)? 7. Who are the opponents to the gospel in our day (1 Thessalonians 2:16; Acts 13:50; 14:1-2)? What motivates their efforts to keep others from being saved? How does their future differ from our future when we are in Christ (Revelation 20:14-15; cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:10)? MEMORY VERSE: 1 Thessalonians 2:8 – Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. 5 Community Groups | TBC STUDY THREE | 1 THESSALONIANS 2:17-3:13 The authors give words of encouragement to the Thessalonians, give thanks to God for Timothy’s good report, and express their desire to visit the Thessalonians face to face. 1. Why did Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy desire to visit the Thessalonians so greatly and why where they hindered (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18; 3:10; Romans 1:13)? How do the authors describe the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; Philippians 4:1)? 2. Why was Timothy specifically sent to Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2; cf. Romans 1:11-12; Acts 15:41; 18:23; Philippians 2:19)? Imagine you were one of the Thessalonian Christians. How would Timothy’s visit have impacted you? 3. Have trials or persecution ever shaken your faith (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4)? Why can suffering be a good thing (Romans 5:3; 2 Corinthians 1:5)? Who is the “tempter” and what was Paul worried would happen to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 3:5; Matthew 4:3; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2)? 4. What did Timothy report back to Paul and Silvanus and how did his report impact them (1 Thessalonians 3:6; Acts 17:15; 18:5)? Have you ever been comforted by good news during a time of trial (2 Corinthians 7:4; Philemon 7)? 6 5. What does it mean to stand firm in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Philippians 1:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:15)? Are you “standing firm” in Christ? What keeps you from doing so? How can you more consistently stand firm in Jesus Christ (John 16:33; Romans 8:31, 37; 1 Corinthians 15:58)? 6. What did Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy hope to accomplish when they eventually saw the Thessalonians again (1 Thessalonians 3:9-10)? Who can you encourage in their faith this week (Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25)? 7. Who did the authors believe would guide them to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 3:11)? What role does God play in furthering our spiritual maturity and when will He complete this work (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13; 1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 1:21; 2 Thessalonians 3:5)? How often are you humbled God’s spiritual work in your life? MEMORY VERSE: 1 Thessalonians 3:13 – so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.
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