<p> Fall 2011 Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 2 The Effective Work of the Gospel</p><p>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.</p><p>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?</p><p>2. Looking at 1 Thessalonians 1 and Acts 17, what evidences prove Paul’s visit was not in vain?</p><p>3. According to the Acts passages, describe the sufferings Paul referred to in 1 Thessalonians 2:2.</p><p>4. Dig Deeper: Do you think Paul and his companions were surprised by the response of the people in Philippi? Explain your answer.</p><p>5. According to 1 Thessalonians 2:2, how did Paul and his companions respond to their suffering and mistreatment?</p><p> a. What lesson can you learn from their response and how can you apply it to your own life?</p><p>Day Two: Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1–6; Paul’s Purity 1. Why did Paul, Silas, and Timothy visit the Thessalonians?</p><p>2. From these verses, how did Paul defend the integrity of his message?</p><p>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?</p><p> a. What distinguishes teaching based on truth from teaching based on error?</p><p> b. How would understanding these differences benefit a believer in our culture today?</p><p>4. From verses 4–6, identify a specific application that you could make this week. </p><p>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?</p><p>3. Without consulting a dictionary, write one or two synonyms for the word “impart.” </p><p> a. What do you think it means to impart one’s life to another?</p><p>4. From verses 9–11, what verbs does Paul use to describe his behavior toward the Thessalonians?</p><p>5. What specific adjectives does Paul use in verse 10 to describe his behavior toward the Thessalonians?</p><p>6. What was the goal of Paul’s interaction with the Thessalonians? Cite the verse.</p><p> a. Who could you encourage this week in the same way Paul encouraged the Thessalonians?</p><p>Day Four: Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13–16; Paul’s Prayers 1. In your own words, what is the “word of God?”</p><p>2. From verse 13, write three or four truths about the gospel.</p><p>3. How would Paul’s words in verses 14–15a have encouraged the Thessalonians, and how do they encourage believers today?</p><p>4. According to verse 15b–16, what is the reality of those who oppose the truth?</p><p>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?</p><p>2. How did Paul respond to this separation?</p><p>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.</p><p>4. How does Paul describe the Thessalonians in verses 19–20? a. How can you be a joy to someone this week?</p><p>5. How many times do the following words appear in this chapter? a. God</p><p> b. Christ</p><p> c. Lord Jesus</p><p> d. What does this reveal about Paul’s heart?</p><p>6. What do you learn about God in this chapter?</p><p>______Anderson/Peters September 28, 2011</p><p>NOTES </p>