1 Thessalonians

by The Navigators (Created by)

Overview

Over 3 million LifeChange studies sold

Anticipating Christ’s Return
The new believers in Thessalonica had maintained their faith in the face of persecution, but they misunderstood the second coming of Christ. Hoping to correct it, the Apostle Paul sent instructions about how to live in anticipation of Christ’s return. Paul’s teaching provides helpful guidance for all Christ-followers on what it means to live as a Christian in the face of an uncertain world.

LifeChange
LifeChange Bible studies will help you grow in Christlikeness through a life-changing encounter with God’s Word. Filled with a wealth of ideas for going deeper so you can return to this study again and again.

Features

• Cover the entire book of 1 Thessalonians in 11 lessons
• Equip yourself to lead a Bible study
• Imagine the Bible’s historical world
• Study word origins and definitions
• Explore thoughtful questions on key themes
• Go deeper with optional projects
• Add your notes with extra space and wide margins
• Find the flexibility to fit the time you have

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780891099321
Publisher:	The Navigators
Publication date:	03/06/2018
Series:	LifeChange , #4
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.35(d)

About the Author

The Navigators is an interdenominational, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people "know Christ and make Him known” as they look to Him and His Word to chart their lives.

Navigators have invested their lives in people for more than seventy-five years, coming alongside them life on life to study the Bible, develop a deepening prayer life, and memorize and apply Scripture, The ultimate goal is to equip Christ followers to fulfill 2 Timothy 2:2—to teach what they have learned to others.

Today, tens of thousands of people worldwide are coming to know and grow in Jesus Christ through the various ministries of The Navigators. Internationally, more than 4,600 Navigator staff of 70 nationalities serve in more than 100 countries.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

Lesson One

Overview and 1 Thessalonians 1:1

To the Church

Before getting immersed in the details of Paul's words to the Thessalonians, take an overview of the whole letter. Get a feel for the "big picture." Potentially confusing verses will be clearer later if you can see how they fit into Paul's overall frame of thought. The best preparation for understanding 1 Thessalonians is to read it several times in one sitting. Start by reading it once silently and then again aloud. Get a general impression of what Paul wants to accomplish.

First impressions

1. Would you say that this letter is more practical than doctrinal, or vice versa? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

2. Did you notice many personal references as you went through the letter? If so, what does this tell you about the nature of the letter? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

3. a. Describe the mood of the letter. Is Paul exhorting, comforting, describing, giving direction, persuading, warning? _____________________________________ _____________________________________

b. Are there any mood changes in the letter? If so, where? _____________________________________ _____________________________________

4. a. Repetition is a clue to the ideas and concepts a writer considers most important to his message. What words or concepts occur over and over again in this letter? _____________________________________ _____________________________________

b. What hints does this give you as to the main focus of Paul's argument? _____________________________________ _____________________________________

Broad outline

5. Reread the entire letter, preferably using a different translation than the one you've been using. This time, describe each main section of the letter with a short sentence. Or — as an option — choose a title to describe each main section.

1:1______________________________________
Theme/purpose

6. What does the content of 1 Thessalonians suggest Paul wanted to accomplish with his readers? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

7. Test your ability to refine by stating the main message or theme of 1 Thessalonians in one sentence. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

8. What are some of the different subjects Paul discusses in supporting his main theme? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

9. If you have not already done so, read the historical background in this guide. Is there any information that seems particularly helpful to you in understanding Paul's letter to the Thessalonians? Please explain briefly. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

10. Based on what you have discovered so far, assign a title to Paul's letter to the Thessalonians. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

Greetings

Grace and peace (1:1). Among the early Greeks, grace was a common salutation and greeting. The word peace served the same purpose for the Jews. Paul thus combines Greek and Hebrew salutations and attaches theological significance to them. In Paul's theology, grace signified God's unmerited favor toward humans.

11. a. The letter begins, "Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians ..." (1:1). What indications do you see in 2:18; 3:5; and 5:27 that Paul actually wrote (or dictated) the letter? _____________________________________ _____________________________________

b. If Paul was the author, why do you think he began the letter the way he did? _____________________________________ _____________________________________

12. Consider the order in which Paul uses the terms grace and peace. How is one the foundation of the other? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

13. Is there any part of this lesson that specifically touches upon an area of your life and moves you to respond in some way? If so, write down your insight here, along with how you want to respond. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

14. In your initial readings of 1 Thessalonians, you may have come across difficult concepts that you would like clarified or questions you would like answered as you go deeper into this study. While your thoughts are still fresh, you may want to jot down your questions here to serve as a "personal objective log" for your investigation of this letter. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

For the group

Unless you have already become acquainted with other members in your group, you might want to spend some time in your next few meetings establishing trust, common ground, and a sense of where each person is coming from. This should enable you to be more frank when discussing how 1 Thessalonians personally applies to you later on. At this first meeting, share something of your past with the group — for example, what you remember about first becoming a Christian. Or you might want to discuss your responses to question 13. This will help to show each other how you see yourselves. It might also be helpful to talk about what each of your personal goals are in regard to what you want to get out of this study of 1 Thessalonians.

Compare your sentence summaries (in question 5) with those in the following chart. There is no single correct answer, so discuss why you prefer one sentence summary to another. Any group members who felt successful with question 7 may want to share with the rest of the group how they went about summarizing main themes.

Study Skill — Bible Study Aids

If you would like to study the background of 1 Thessalonians in greater detail, consult one of the sources listed in Study Aids. These and similar commentaries will also be quite helpful if you decide to study another book of the Bible on your own.

Chart of First Thessalonians: Paul's Purpose

Paul writes to answer certain ethical, doctrinal, and practical questions the Thessalonians have, as well as to commend their faith, exhort young converts, and answer false charges made against him by unbelieving Jews.

1:1 Paul greets the saints in Thessalonica.

1:2-10 Paul gives thanks for the faith of the Thessalonians.

2:1-16 Paul defends his ministry in Thessalonica.

2:17–3:5 Paul expresses his desire to see the Thessalonians.

3:6-13 Paul is happy about Timothy's encouraging report.

4:1-12 Paul urges the Thessalonians to live to please God.

4:13-18 Paul instructs them about the coming of the Lord.

5:1-11 Paul urges them to be ready for the coming of the Lord.

5:12-15 Paul gives instructions about life in the church.

5:16-24 Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to holy living.

5:25-28 Paul closes.

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "1 Thessalonians"
by .
Copyright © 2013 The Navigators.
Excerpted by permission of NavPress.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

How to Use This Study, 5,
Introduction — Paul and Thessalonica, 9,
Map of the Roman Empire, 9,
One — To the Church (Overview and 1:1), 13,
Two — Thanksgiving (1:2-10), 21,
Three — Paul's Ministry (2:1-16), 31,
Four — Paul's Desire (2:17–3:5), 41,
Five — Good News from Timothy (3:6-13), 51,
Six — Living to Please God (4:1-12), 57,
Seven — Comfort for Bereaved Christians (4:13-18), 67,
Eight — An Attitude of Watchfulness (5:1-11), 75,
Nine — Life in the Church (5:12-15), 83,
Ten — Holy Living (5:16-24), 91,
Eleven — Looking Back (5:25-28 and Review), 99,
Study Aids, 105,