Community Bible Study 1 & 2 Thessalonians

Written by Ray Johnson

Student notes:

Introduction to 1 and 2 Thessalonians (an eight week study)

The apostle Paul spread the Christian gospel across the Roman Empire, preaching in local synagogues that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah. Some Jews believed Pauls message; other drove him from their cities. Many Gentiles who feared God -heard and accepted the message, and shared it with their friends. As a result, new congregations formed and included Jews, God-fearing Gentiles, and former pagans. Paul wanted to teach them about faith in Jesus Christ. However, he was often forced to leave due to strong opposition from the Jewish church as well as the Romans. Concerned for the congregation, he wondered if they would be persecuted, led astray, or revert to paganism. Paul continued to minister to them through his letters. Faithful assistants delivered his letters to the churches and returned to him to report the state of each congregation and relay their questions about the faith. Thirteen of Pauls letters make up a major part of the New Testament and continue to enrich our lives today. In his letters to the Thessalonians, Paul provides warnings, assurances, support, and reason to endure, and address the needs of Christians facing opposition and persecution. His two main themes are Christs return and how to live to please God.

1. Evidence and early church tradition support ________ _____________ of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. The letters are unique among Pauls in that both begin with the indication they are from Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

2. Based on internal evidence in the New Testament as well as historical finding, scholars date the Thessalonian letters around ___________. They are probably the earliest documents of the New Testament with the possible exceptions of _________________ and _______________.

3. Thessalonica was the ________________ of Macedonia. At the time of Pauls visit, Greeks, Orientals, Romans, and Jews filled this Roman-ruled city of about 200,000 people. (Fig 1.)

4. In his letters, he defends himself against those who tried to weaken his ministry by destroying his _______________.

5. Pauls reputation was attacked, his enemies said he deceived people, taught a false faith, and wanted their money. However, Paul and his companions worked in a _________, and __________, and _____________ way. 1 Thessalonians 2:1012 (ESV)
10

You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

6. He addresses a concern they have about Christians who have died before the _______ return. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (NKJV)
14

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

7. Paul writes a second letter to encourage the Thessalonians in the face of increasing ______________. 2 Thessalonians 1:5 (NKJV)
5

which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;

8. Next, Paul addresses the churchs wrong teaching about the __________ coming of _________

9. Paul calms their fears by reminding them that before the Lords return, the _____________ will occur. The man of lawlessness will be reveals and will confuse the understanding of Gods Word. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (NKJV)
3

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

10. God is restraining the appearance of this person until the ________ _______. 2 Thessalonians 2:6 (NKJV)
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And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.

11. Paul exhorts us to stand ________, holding to the sure teachings that Jesus and the Father love us and grant us ___________ ___________ and ________ ________. 2 Thessalonians 2:16 (NKJV)
16

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,
12. Pauls teaching in 1 and 2 Thessalonians clarify the ideal for the Christian church then and now:

Be morally upright, and be encouraged by the promise of Christs return.

Figure 1 Thessalonica