Bible Study – First Thessalonians 1 & 2

March 24, 2020

1 Thessalonians 1&2

Good morning to you! It’s Tuesday which means Bible Study day! Yes, almost all of what I write here is some form of Bible Study but the Tuesday posts will be those I would also be sharing with my local churches people. Yes, it’s churches because not all of us are Methodist, but we are all part of the church.

I’m just getting started with this blogging thing but one of these days I’ll have it just like I mean it to be.

So grab your Bible or open a different window with Biblegateway.com and choose a translation. Here we go!

Pray with me before we begin:

Lord Jesus, we are here to begin a study on Paul’s letters to the church at Thessalonica and we need You to reveal whatever You want to show us today.  

First Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 (I suggest the NIV, but read whatever Bible you prefer.)

Do you happen to regularly thank God for the believers in your area?

I only ask because Paul starts nearly all his letters with how he prays and is so thankful for them. Sometimes it comes a little later than the start but it’s always in his letters. So what does he remember before God about them?

Their work produced by _________________, their labor prompted by _________________, and their endurance inspired by _______________ in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4-7 

The Gospel came not simply with words but also with ___________, with the __________________ and _______ conviction. Does that sound like the Gospel you know?

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10

The Lord’s message __________________ ; their faith has become known __________________. Wow. Somehow I’m missing it, does faith ring out from our churches? Is our faith known, or are we known for our faith throughout the land where we live?

Wait for it, He’s coming. Jesus is going to return. He will rescue us from the coming wrath. So we should ___________ the living and true God. But even more important than serving is what?

Your relationship with Him.

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-3

This message Paul and his companions were sharing was God’s gospel. The appeal did not spring from ___________ or _________________ motives, nor were they trying to _________ the Thessalonians.

If there is one thing we can be certain of, the Gospel is 100% true. 

1 John 1:5 NIV

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

James 1:17 NIV

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

With God we can do anything, there is no opposition we should fear. 

Philippians 4:13 NIV

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

1 Thessalonians 2:⁴ On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

Entrusted with the gospel. What a gift that is. But here’s a question.

To entrust means to confer trust upon.

What does that make you wonder?

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:5-7a

What a wonderful thing it is when we don’t use masks. There are many many of them we could use, but choosing not to is an act of faith too. It’s a trust thing, to do all you do to please God and not look for praise from people. Just be you, the real you.

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-8

This is just so precious.

Because we loved you so much, we were delighted… 

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:9-11

Holy, righteous and blameless. As a _________ deals with his own children.

Ephesians 1:4 

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

Philippians 2:14-15

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13

It’s not a __________ word, it’s the word of God. And it is at _______ in you who believe.

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

It really is a war zone we live in. We’re far safer than the Christ followers in Judea and Thessalonica were from people but no less safe from Spiritual war.

Stay focused. Stay vigilant.

Keep watch. Stand firm.

The end is coming but it’s not here yet. 

Revelation 11:18

The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small— and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

Revelation 22:6

The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

Paul had an intense ______________ to see them again.

He made every ____________ to do so. He ___________ to come to them. He calls them his crown, what else does he call them?

They are his _________ and _________ and __________.

That we might have such a longing for the times we get together too.

Pray.

Lord we see how the church of the Thessalonians had faith that was known not only in their church but everywhere. Your message was sent out like bells ringing. And when they received their faith it came with power, the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. Thank You for this beautiful letter. Thank You for all the reminders of what to focus on and teaching us how to believe in such a way as to be true imitators of Christ as we go about our days in this world. So I’m asking today that You would make our faith a deep conviction within us. Make it more real than anything else. Fill us with hope, inspire our endurance and encourage us today, Lord. All of it for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen 

May the Lord’s Message Ring Out

and

Our Faith become known everywhere