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I & II
THESSALONIANS I. BACKGROUND
1. Author - Paul, the apostle, Silas, and
Timothy: 1:1 (I & II) 3:17 ( II );
2:1-12 ( I ) 2. Date - Both letters, soon after A.D. 50. 3. Setting - Thessalonica was the chief city in this
Roman province. Paul had preached the gospel at this city earlier – Acts 17:1-10. Because of the Jews, Paul had to leave
this city in a hurry, but the Christians loved Paul so deeply and he loved them. II. PURPOSE OF
THE BOOK
1. I.
THESSALONIANS 1) Key Verses:
3:6-10 2) Purpose:
Paul wishes to express his deep love and concern for the brethren. He
reveals that he is able to live because they remain standing in
the Lord. 3) The church is : 1:2-10 a. An elect people: 1:4 b. An exemplary people: 1:6-7 c. An enthusiastic people: 1:7-9 d. An expectant people: 1:10 4) Paul's evangelistic approach is a worthy
example: 2:1-13 a. Go with pure motives: 2:1-3 b. Aim to please God, not men: 2:4-6 c. Do
not be a burden to the listeners:
2:6-9 d. Care
for the people as a mother: 2:7 e. Have an exemplary life: 2:10 f. Always be encouraging: 11:12 g. Speak the word of God: 2:13 5) Divine resources enable us to accomplish our
task: 2:13-20 a. God's word is within us: 2:13 b. God's people are around us: 2:14-18 c. God's glory is before us: 2:19-20 6) Paul sought to make sure that the
Thessalonian Christians had a sure faith and he longed for their
stability: 3:1-13 7) The Life that pleases God: 4:1-18 a. Walk in all holiness: 4:3-8 b. Walk in harmony: 4:9-10 c. Walk in honesty: 4:11-12 d. Walk in hope of His coming: 4:13-18 8) The advantages of Christians because of the
Second Coming of Jesus: 5:1-11 9) Practical instructions: 5:12-28 2. II. THESSALONIANS 1) Key Verses:
1:11-2:2 2) Purpose:
It is possible that the second letter deals with misconceptions that
the Christians had about the Second Coming of Jesus, which
they may have gotten from the first letter;
therefore, Paul seeks to straighten out their understanding, so they
will not only watch but also wait for the Lord's return. 3) Outline of the book: a. God's
righteous judgment on those who have afflicted and on those who have been
afflicted: 1:3-12 b. Christ's second coming and some things which
must precede that event: 2:1-12 c. Stand firm and hold to the teachings: 2:13-17 d. Paul's request for prayer and his
confidence: 3:1-5 e. Do not be idle: 3:6-15 f. Paul's closing remarks: 3:16-18 III. APPLICATION - LESSONS
1. No matter what is going on around us, keep
living the Christian life: 2:13- 16 (
I ); 1:5-12 ( II ) 2. We can grow as the Thessalonians did without
anyone to help, except God and His word. 1) Paul had to leave Thessalonica immediately
after the preaching of the gospel:
Acts 17:1-10 2) Mature leadership would have been helpful,
but none was there to provide guidance: 3) Still, the Christians grew in faith: 3:1-10 3. Be careful what your read and hear from God's
word - do not go to extremes which God never intended. ( II Thessalonians) I AND II THESSALONIANS QUESTIONS
1. List four (4) qualities of a good evangelist
from Paul's example in I Thessalonians 2:1-13. 1) 2) 3) 4) 2. True or False: ______1) Paul
wrote these letters to a church that he disliked. ______2) The
first time the gospel came to Thessalonica, all the people of the city
received it with joy, especially the Jews. ______3) Paul
stayed in Thessalonica a long time on his first visit ______4) It
would seem that both letters were written close together in time. ______5) Paul's
gospel message to them in Acts 17 was about the importance of the law. 3. What enables us to accomplish our task as
Christians? 4. What kind of life pleases God as presented by
Paul in Chapter 4 of I Thessalonians. 5. Multiple Choice: 1) The
main reason for 2 Thessalonians being written was: a. To instruct women to keep silence in the
church b. to instruct the young men and women to show
respect to the elderly. c. to help correct the misunderstandings the
Thessalonian church had concerning the second coming of Christ. 2) Before
the second coming of Christ happens: a. the Catholic church must be formed b. certain signs must happen before it will
occur c. the 1000 year reign of Christ must occur 6. Read 2 Thessalonians 3. Name some practical ways that we can live
in the world today as Christians. 1) 2) 3) |