I and II Thessalonians ... A Study

I. [1:1 - 3:13] Thanksgiving for the Word of God in Thessalonica

    A. [1:1]        Salutation
    B. [1:2-2:12]    Founding of the Church at Thessalonica
    C. [2:13-16]    The Time of Persecution
    D. [2:17-3:5]    The Time of Separation
    E. [3:6-10]    Timothy's Good News
    F. [3:11-13]    Prayer

II. [4:1 - 5:22] Exhortations

    A. [4:1-12]    Moral Exhortations
    B. [4:13-18]    Concerning Those Who Are Asleep
    C. [5:1-11]    Times and Seasons of the Lord's Return
    D. [5:12-22]    Exhortations for Congregational Life
    E. [5:23-28]    Conclusion

III. Background

A. What is common in 1:10, 2:12, 2:19, 3:13, 4:16-18, 5:23?

B. What was the geographical value of Thessalonica?

C. Paul was most likely these letters during his _________ missionary journey from the city of ________. The year was ______ AD. He had information from the Thessalonians brought by ___________.

    D. Read Acts 17:1-15
        How long did Paul witness at the synagogue? What was the result?
        Who were the enemies of the Christians at Thessalonica?
        Paul and Silas left the city. Who might have stayed behind?
        What does Philippians 4:16, I Thess. 2:9, II Thess. 3:8 imply?
        What was the Egnatian Way?

IV. Luther on the Thessalonians...

"This epistle St. Paul writes out of especial love and apostolic solicitude...he praises them because they received the gospel from him with such earnestness that they remained steadfast in it despite suffering and persecution, and became a beautiful example of faith to all congregations everywhere..."