Let’s Study 1&2 Thessalonians

Given the relationship between Paul and the Thessalonian Christians, it should not surprise us that his letters to them throb with tenderness and care…here, as perhaps nowhere else in his letters, we see how the apostle loved his converts and laboured to lead them on in the faith. This should make every serious Christian, and especially every responsible Christian leader, turn with eagerness to the text of the letters that await us.’ — From the Introduction by Andrew Young

Table of Contents

PUBLISHER’S PREFACE ix

PAUL and the THESSALONIANS xi

THE THESSALONIAN LETTERS AT A GLANCE xvii

1 THESSALONIANS 

1 Making Connections (1:1) 3

2 Giving Thanks (1:2–3) 7

3 God’s Chosen People (1:4–7) 11

4 A Missionary Church (1:8–10) 15

5 A Genuine Ministry (2:1–6a) 19

6 A Gentle Ministry (2:6b–9) 24

7 A Blameless Ministry (2:10–12) 28

8 The Powerful Word (2:13) 32

9 The Costliness of Believing (2:14–16) 36

10 Continuing Concern for the Church (2:17–20) 41

11 A Practical Expression of Concern (3:1–5) 46

12 An Encouraging Report (3:6–10) 51

13 A Prayer Wish (3:11–13) 56

14 Living to Please God (4:1–2) 61

15 Called to a Holy Life (4:3–8) 65

16 Brotherly Love (4:9–10) 70

17 Practical Daily Living (4:11–12) 74

18 Not Without Hope (4:13–14) 78

19 Definitely Not Left Out! (4:15–18) 82

20 Like a Thief in the Night (5:14–1–3) 86

21 Not Taken by Surprise (5:4–8) 90

22 No Need for Fear (5:9–11) 94

23 Getting On with One Another (5:12–15) 98

24 Christian Spiritual Life (5:16–22) 102

25 Sanctification and Security (5:23–24) 107

26 Final Words (5:25–28) 111

2 THESSALONIANS 

1 A Second Letter (1:1–2) 119

2 Gratitude for Growth (1:3–4) 124

3 The Righteous Judgement of God (1:5–7a) 128

4 God’s Dreadful Vengeance (1:7b–10) 132

5 Worthy of His Calling (1:11–12) 136

6 No Need for Alarm (2:1–3) 140

7 The Man of Lawlessness (2:4–8) 144

8 Deception and Condemnation (2:9–12) 148

9 Assured of Glory (2:13–17) 152

10 Praying for the Gospel (3:1–3) 157

11 Christian Obedience (3:4–10) 161

12 Dealing with the Disorderly (3:11–15) 165

13 Final Words (3:16–18) 170

GROUP STUDY GUIDE 175

FOR FURTHER READING 194