1

Letters To The Thessalonians

Adult 2020 First Quarter Bible Study

Dibble Road Church of Christ

www.dibbleroadchurch. themomentoftruth.info

Compiled by Fred Singleton

2

OUTLINE:

INTRODUCTION (1:1-4)

1. Salutation (1)

2. Thanksgiving for their faith, hope, and love (2-4)

I. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS (1:5-3:13)

A. REGARDING THEIR CONDITION (1:5-10)

1. Their reception of the gospel (1:5-7)

2. Their reputation in every place (1:8-10)

B. REGARDING HIS CONDUCT (2:1-12)

1. The manner of his preaching (2:1-8)

2. The manner of his life (2:9-12)

C. REGARDING HIS CONCERN (2:13-3:13)

1. For their faithfulness (2:13-3:10)

2. For their continued growth (3:11-13)

II. APOSTOLIC INSTRUCTIONS (4:1-5:28)

A. WALK IN HOLINESS (4:1-8)

1. To please God (4:1-2)

2. To abstain from sexual immorality (4:3-8)

B. WALK IN LOVE (4:9-10)

1. As they are taught by God to love one another (4:9)

2. To increase more and more (4:10)

C. WALK IN DILIGENCE (4:11-12)

1. To work with their hands (4:11)

2. To walk properly toward those who are outside (4:12)

D. WALK IN HOPE (4:13-18)

1. With no sorrow concerning those who have died (4:13-14)

2. For we will be rejoined with them when Christ returns (4:15-18)

E. WALK IN LIGHT (5:1-11)

1. For the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (5:1-4)

2. For we are sons of light and sons of the day (5:5-8)

3. For God has appointed us to salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (5:911)

3

F. WALK IN OBEDIENCE (5:12-22)

1. With respect toward those over us (5:12-13)

2. With concern for one another (5:14-15)

3. With joy, prayer and thanksgiving (5:16-18)

4. Don't quench the Spirit or despise prophecies, but don't be gullible either

(5:19-22)

CONCLUDING REMARKS (5:23-28)

1. A prayer for their sanctification and preservation (5:23-24)

2. A request for prayer in his behalf (5:25)

3. A charge to greet one another with a holy kiss, and to read the

epistle to others (5:26-27)

4. A benediction of grace from the Lord Jesus Christ (5:28)

4

Introduction

Matthew 24:42-44

42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But

know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief

was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be

broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an

hour you do not expect. English Standard Version THE CITY OF THESSALONICA: It was the capital and largest city of the Roman province of Macedonia. Located on the Egnatian Way, a major road from Rome to the eastern provinces, the city served as center of trade and commerce. Today, it is known as Thessaloniki, or Salonica. THE CHURCH AT THESSALONICA: The establishment of the church is recorded in Acts 17:1-9. On his second missionary journey, Paul and his companions (Silas and Timothy) had just left Philippi and passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia to arrive at Thessalonica. As was his custom, Paul immediately located the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews for three Sabbaths concerning Jesus Christ. While some of them were persuaded, including a great number of devout Greeks and leading women, the unbelieving Jews became jealous and created an uproar in the city. Therefore, it became necessary to send Paul and Silas away secretly by night to Berea. Despite such ominous beginnings, a strong church was established in Thessalonica (cf. 1:2-10). Mostly Gentile (cf. 1:9), its members included Jason (Acts17:9), Aristarchus, and Secundus (Acts 20:4). AUTHOR: The apostle Paul, joined in his salutation by Silvanus and Timothy (1:1), and with specific mention of his name again later in the epistle (2:18). Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to Paul include: Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.), Tertullian (200 A.D.), and Irenaeus (200 A.D.). TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING: First Thessalonians is considered one of Paul's ear-liest epistles, if not the first. From the letter itself (3:1-6), and the record of Paul's travels in Acts (Acts 17:10-18:11), it appears that Paul wrote this letter soon after ar-riving in Corinth on his second journey. This would put it somewhere around 52 A.D.

"HOLINESS IN VIEW OF THE COMING OF CHRIST"

5

PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE: The abrupt departure from Thessalonica so soon after the beginning of the church naturally left Paul anxious about the condition of the brethren. When Timothy joined Paul at Athens (cf. Acts 7:14-16), his concern prompted Paul to send Timothy at once back to Thessalonica to encourage and ground the new disciples in the faith, and to learn how they were enduring persecution (cf. 3:1-5). When Timothy returned to Paul in Corinth (cf. Ac 18:5), the news was mostly encouraging (cf. 3:6-7). Despite persecution they had remained strong (2:13-16), and even proved themselves to be an example to others (1:6-8). Yet, as with any young church, they needed further instruction concerning holy living (cf. 4:1-12). They also needed to be reassured that their loved ones who died in Christ would not miss out on the blessings involving the coming of our Lord (cf. 4:13-18). Therefore we can summarize by saying that Paul's purpose in writing was: • To praise them for their steadfastness under persecution • To instruct them concerning holy living • To correct any misunderstanding, especially about the second coming of Christ THEME OF THE EPISTLE: This book is unique in that every chapter ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ (1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23). With his emphasis on steadfastness and holy living, an appropriate theme might be:

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

"

6

Lesson #1 Introduction (Notes)

Matthew 24:42-44:

I. Background

The city

Thessalonica – Today

Thessalonica – Paul’s day

The church

Established 51 AD

The vision

Philippi

Thessalonica – Acts 17:1-10:

Corinth

7

II. The letters to Thessalonica

Timothy’s reports to Paul about the young church motivated Paul to write those

letters.

III. Main Outline – I Thessalonians

Prayer – 1:1-10

Defense – 2:1-3:13

Exhortation – 4:1-12

Teaching – 4:13-5:3

Preparation – 5:4-28

IV. Purposes of letter

Express

Defend

8

Encouragement

Teaching

Summary

Why study this epistle?

Portrait of

Gain

Lesson #2 Genuine Conversion (Notes)

Intro – Review

Thessalonica

Paul’s Mission – 5/AD

Corinth

9

All the names are on equal footing:

• God

• Father

• Lord

• Jesus

• Christ

• Paul

• Workers

• Church

Verse 2

Verse 3-4 Paul mentions 4 things he is thankful for when he remembers them.

Their work of

Their labor of

Their steadiness in

vs. 5a

The Messengers

vs. 5b

The Message

vs. 6

10

They became the

vs. 7-10

Summary

Paul is happy and thankful for two main reasons then he thanks of the Thessalonians.

He is sure of their

He rejoices over their

Practical Application

*This opening passage gives us a process for normal individual and congregational

development.

Step #1 – Conversion to

Step #2 – Iimitation to

Step #3 – Example to

We should examine where we’re at personally and congregationally in this process.

11

Lesson #3 Credentials For True Ministers (Notes)

Intro – Review previous lesson points:

Paul is writing to

He rejoices in memory of them for two main reasons:

A.

B.

In the next section he will defend his ministry among them.

I. Credentials of True Ministers – 2:1-3:13

True Ministers 2:1-2

Paul’s experiences show that he was a man who trusted God.

True leadership rests not only on speaking ability etc., it depends on

True Ministers are 2:3-12

Paul compares 2 sets of characteristics for judging ministers.

Worldly Characteristics – vs. 3-6

Error

12

Impurity

Deceit

Popularity

Flattery

False pretense

Personal glory

Spiritual Characteristics – vs. 7-12

Gentle

Self-sacrificing

Hard-working

Pure

Fervent

Paul reminds them of their experience with himself and his workers.

13

True Ministers

2:13-16

We don’t know how big the church in Thessalonica was.

True ministers don’t blame the church.

True Ministers

2:17-3:13

Note Paul’s attitude toward the brethren:

He was

There were his

His emotional life

He prayed

He wanted only

14

Summary

Paul defends his ministry among these brethren by describing the characteristics of a

True Minister.

True Ministers

Lesson #4 Credentials For True Churches (Notes)

Intro – Review

I. The True Church Continually Purifies It’s Conduct – 4:1-2

The key word here is

Vs. 1-2

Paul mentions three areas where this young church needed to purify their lives.

Purity – vs. 3-8

Vs. 3 – Sanctification means to set something or someone apart for special use or ser-vice.

Integrity in _____________________________________vs.

15

The pagan world of the 1st century was notable for two vices: sexual immorality and

greed.

Vs. 7-8 – Paul explains why they needed to purify themselves in these two areas.

They are

They will be

Purify your

Some sins you can hide

Non-Christians are affected when they see Christians consciously living and pursuing

purified lives.

Vs. 9-10

Vs. 11 – He gives them 3 things essential for a balanced life:

• Lead a __________________________________ life.

• Attend to your

• Work with your

Vs. 12 – Here Paul explains why Christians should do these things:

16

Summary

The true church “purifies its life” by:

Maintaining

Being

Establishing

Lesson #5 “Preparing For The End” (Notes)

Intro – Review

Theme of this epistle – The __________________________________ church

Marks of authenticity

Established by

Conduct was

Growing in

True churches grow in the knowledge of God’s purpose and Paul now teaches them regarding God’s purpose for the future time at the end of the world.

17

I. The Problem – I Thess. 4:13

They were worried. Why?

Special words

• Uninformed

• Asleep

Three ways non-Christians react to death:

• Ignore it

• Deny it

• Fear it

Paul wanted them informed about death.

II. The Hope – vs. 14

Christians have hope because they have a historical precedent on which to base their

hope.

Acts 2:24

Paul reassures them

18

III. The details – 4:15-5:3

Paul gives the details about the “end.”

Now, he doesn’t give details about:

• Resurrection of

___________________________________________________________________________Mt. 25:31-32

• Judgment of

____________________________________________________________________________John 5:28-29

• What happens to

____________________________________________________________________________II Pet. 3:10-12

What__________________________________________________________________is like. II Thes. 1:9

This doesn’t mean that these things are not

Paul gives details taught to him by Christ.

• vs. 15a

• vs. 15b

• vs. 16a

• vs. 16b

• vs. 16c

19

In a situation where many things will be happening simultaneously, Paul focuses on

one thing

• vs. 17a

• vs. 17b-18

• ch. 5:1-3

Summary

Paul is adding to their

Paul reassures their

He gives specific details of the end.

Our Hope

It could be in our life-time. If so:

Lesson #6 I Thess. 5:1-28 8 Ways to Prepare (Notes)

Intro – The general theme of this epistle is the

The true church has:

True

True

The true church is:

Growing in

The true church is

20

The object of the lesson is how to prepare for a

_______________________________________________________________________event.

Eight ways to be ready – 5:4-22

vs. 4-10

Vs. 6

Vs. 7-8

Vs. 9-10

vs. 11

Two key words that describe our ministry for one another.

We do this for each other.

vs. 12-13a

Paul refers to the work of leaders and the attitude the church should have toward them.

vs. 13b-15

1.

2.

3.

4.

21

vs. 16

Not always easy, but possible when considering the of Jesus.

vs. 17-18

Christians aren’t always able to pray but they always have_________________________

to.

Why?

vs. 19-21

vs. 22

Notice that Paul says every form of evil.

II. Why do we need to be ready? Vs. 23-24

III. Why this lesson? Vs. 25-28

Summary

We all need to remember one important thing

When Christians are discouraged they need to realize

Are you ready?

22

Lesson #7 II Thess. 1:1-12 (Notes)

Intro-II Thess.

Intro – Review

Thessalonian church established

Paul was

After receiving reports from Timothy, Paul writes two letters.

In the first one he:

Paul says that the true church:

I. OUTLINE

Note that II Thessalonians is neatly divided into three sections.

II. ENCOURAGEMENT – 1:1-12

Salutation – vs. 1-2

Thanksgiving – vs. 3-4

Righteous Judgment – vs. 5-10

23

Paul comments on their suffering by telling them that:

They don’t

God not only permits suffering, He also

God will also

Vs. 6

Vs. 7

Vs. 8-9

Vs. 10

Prayer – vs. 11-12

His prayer request is specific in that God complete the work begun in them.

The work will be complete when Jesus returns.

Summary

24

Lesson #8 II Thess. 2:1-12 “Events Before the Last Day” (Notes)

Intro – Key ideas so far.

Paul rejoices.

Paul teaches concerning Christ’s return

I. Events Prior to the Second Coming.

The DAY has not come. – 2:1-2

Language / Literary style.

APOCALYPTIC

Apocalyptic style used by New Testament writers.

James – Matthew 24:1-34

Paul – II Thessalonians

John – Revelation

Symbols/Terms

Apostasy – vs. 3

Man of Lawlessness / Son of Destruction – vs. 3.

25

Restraining Influence – vs. 6

Mystery of Lawlessness – vs. 7

Breath of His mouth – vs. 8.

Appearance of His coming – vs. 8

Prophesy

We know the events and the sequence but not the time.

Sequence of Events

Two major events before Christ returns.

The Apostasy – vs. 3a.

Acts 20:28-30

II Timothy 4:3-4

The Man of Lawlessness Revealed – vs. 3-7.

What is he like?

Vs. 3

Vs. 4

Vs. 5-7

26

What will the man of Lawlessness do? Vs. 9-12

Summary

The day of the Lord has not come.

3 Practical lessons:

Bad teaching

Satan desires

We can be

Lesson #9 II Thess. 2:1-10 “Who Is The Man Of Lawlessness?” (Notes)

Intro

These letters contain two main ideas:

In his second letter Paul reassures them that two things must take place before the return of Christ.

I. Who is the Man of Lawlessness?

II Thessalonians 2:1-10

The

Problems with their theory:

Problems with their theory:

Revelation 20:1-3

27

The

Favorite theory of Evangelicals.

The reorganization of the New Testament church into the Roman hierarchical system

produced four major changes:

Separation of Clergy

Special authority

New roles

Changes to the scriptures

Other points that support the Papacy as the Man of Lawlessness

Problems with their theory

Many “Christian” groups have been part of a larger apostasy

A Principle

There has been a principle of evil working in the world since the church was estab-

lished.

Every age produces a different version or face of this principle.

28

The Man of Lawlessness when revealed will pose a threat because his revealing will be accompanied by:

Revealed to whom?

What is the “retraining power?”

The “principle of evil” theory works well because:

Summary

We in our day, need to do two things in response to the apostasy, principle of evil, and eventual revealing of the Man of Lawlessness:

Lesson #10 II Thess. 2:11-17 “What is the Deluding Influence?” (Notes)

Intro – Review

I. The will of God – 2:11-12

God’s will is expressed in various ways throughout the Bible.

God’s direct will.

Direct positive will

Direct negative will

29

God knows in advance what the result of His will (no matter how it is expressed) will

be.

God “sends” a delusion in the sense that He permits it to happen.

The way of truth – 2:13-17

Paul outlines why the Thessalonians should be thoughtful despite their sufferings.

They have been chosen for salvation – vs. 13

Their salvation is sure – vs. 14

Paul tells them how they are to respond to the attacks of others – vs. 15

Stand firm

Hold to traditions

Paul completes the passage with a blessing – vs. 16-17

III. Will and Salvation

This passage outlines 5 ways that God’s direct positive will operates:

God Vs. 13

God Vs. 13

God Vs. 14

God Vs. 13

God Vs. 14

30

In all of these we see God’s direct will operating and in doing so guarantees our salva-tion because:

• God always

• God never

• God continues

• God guarantees

• God has the power to

Man also operates his direct will in the process of salvation:

• Man

• Man vs. 13

• Man stands firm in

God will permit man to refuse salvation and suffer the consequences if man wills this.

Summary/Lessons

God wants to save us but do we always

Don’t_____________________________ be

Comfort comes from________________________________ not

31

Lesson #12 II Thess. 3:1-18 “Be Ready” (Notes)

Intro – Review of what Paul has done so far.

Thanks

Defense

Taught

Encouraged

I. Exhortation #1 – Pray – 3:1-5

Paul asks them to pray for him.

Vs. 1

Vs. 2

Vs. 3

You can’t save a person by just praying for him.

Vs. 4-5

II. Stay busy in doing good – vs. 6-15

Paul describes a problem they are having and how to deal with it.

32

Paul describes 5 things they should be doing:

Remain

Vs. 6

Follow______________________________________________________________________. Vs. 7-9

Remember__________________________________________________________________. Vs. 10-12

Don’t be____________________________________________________________________. Vs. 13

Discipline___________________________________________________________________. Vs. 14-15

III. Closing Remarks – vs. 16-18

Vs. 16

Vs. 17

Vs. 18

Summary:

This closing section sees Paul accomplishing three things with his reader

33

Exhortation:

Three things that we today need to be doing in order to prepare for the second com-

ing of Christ.

Believe____________________________________________.

People perish because

To believe the truth we must:

____________________________________________________________Hebrews 11:6

__________________________________________________John 17:17; Romans 10:17

____________________________________________________________Matthew 7:21

In order to continue believing we must:

_______________________________________________________________I Peter 2:2

______________________________________________________________John 15:6-7

Believing the truth is a lifetime process.

Pray

Why pray?

___________________________________________________________Matthew 26:36

_______________________________________________________________I Peter 5:8

_______________________________________________________I Thessalonians 5:17

_______________________________________________________________James 5:16

Stay____________________________________________________________.

The 3 D’s of Laziness:

D______________________________.

D______________________________.

D______________________________.

You’re ready if:

How about you? Are you ready?

34