Level Up – The Epistles Summer 2024
I Thessalonians
◼ Introduction – NIV Study Bible
o Author
▪ Paul (1:1; 2:18; 3:1-2)
o Date and Place of Writing
▪ A.D. 51
▪ Corinth
o Recipients
▪ Newer converts in Thessalonica, mostly Gentile.
▪ Probable timetable:
• Paul in Thessalonica: Acts 17:1-9
• Timothy had been sent to Thessalonica to see how the new believers were doing, and had returned with an update (3:1-10).
o Purpose – Why did Paul write this letter?
▪ Paul left Thessalonica in a hurry (Acts 17:5-10) after a rather brief stay (one month), which did not give him much time to walk through several issues.
• Suffering as a part of the Christian life
• Holiness in sexual matters
• The need to do one’s own work and not live off others
• The resurrection at Christ’s return and readiness for Jesus’ coming
o What does the beginning of the letter tell us?
▪ 1Paul, Silas and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. 2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faitha , your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christb .
• aFaith produces action. Belief is the catalyst.
• bThis is not wishful thinking, but firm confidence and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ and His return.
◼ The Bible Project – highlights
o The backstory for it is found in the book of ____________________ .
o He designed the letter to have two main movements, first a of their faithfulness to Jesus, then a to keep growing as followers of Jesus.
o These two movements are surrounded by three .
o Paul opens by giving thanks and celebrating the Thessalonians' faith, their love for others and their hope in Jesus, despite .
o He goes on to retell the story of their , how they used to be idolatrous polytheists.
o Paul then retells the story of his in Thessalonica and of the dear friendships he formed with the people.
o Paul moves on to reflect on their persecution.
o Paul then shares about the he experienced when he heard of the hardships the Thessalonians had after he and Silas fled.
o Paul concludes with a prayer for .
o He opens the letter's second movement by challenging them to a life that is with the teachings of Jesus. This means, first of all, a serious commitment to holiness and sexual purity.
o Following Jesus also means a to loving and serving others.
o After this, Paul addresses a number of the Thessalonians had raised about the future hope of Jesus' return.
o Paul closes all of these exhortations like he began, with a hopeful prayer that God would permeate their lives with his that he would set them apart to be completely devoted and blameless until the return of King Jesus.
◼ Practice: “You know” phrases. What do the Christians in Thessalonica know?
o 1:5
o 2:1-2
o 2:5
o 2:11
o 3:3-4
o 4:2
o 5:2
◼ Go back to the main themes of I Thessalonians: What do YOU know about these things?