1717 BIBLE STUDIES
Thessalonians Study
1 and 2 Thessalonians
“Your Word Is Truth” (John 17:17)
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Overview
Study: 1 and 2 Thessalonians
Theme: Walk Worthy
The Christian experience is often referred to as a journey, pilgrimage, battle, or race. One of the major metaphors for following Jesus is walk (meaning, “live this way”). And this walk is more like a march than a stroll. Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians are likely among the earliest New Testament documents, and the word walk occurs six times in those letters. In this unit students will learn how that walk is motivated by love, how it requires endurance and spiritual alertness, and how people who take this walk can leverage their time.
How To Use
- Each week has a lesson aim, lesson text, and supplemental text.
- Tabs indicate the week of each lesson.
- Each week features three sections: Study, Application, and Discovery.
- Use the Discovery questions to study, discuss, and apply the Scripture passages in a group or class.
Introduction
Author and Audience
The church in Thessalonica was established by Paul and his coworkers around AD 52. Acts 17:2 indicates that Paul’s time in Thessalonica covered “three Sabbath days.” His time with the new church was cut short by a group of unbelieving Jews who incited a mob that started a riot in the city. This forced Paul and his coworkers to flee from Thessalonica. With so little time to help build up this fledgling congregation, Paul wrote two letters to the church to strengthen and encourage them.
Date
Paul’s first letter to the Christians in Thessalonica was written around AD 52, not long after he helped establish the church. His second letter to this group of believers, 2 Thessalonians, was likely written a few months or even a few weeks later.
Setting
The persecution that drove Paul from Thessalonica didn’t cease when he left. The members of the church there continued to face resentment and opposition to their newly found faith. Paul wrote to encourage the church to persevere under pressure, trusting that God would care for them. One of the key issues the church faced following Paul’s departure had to do with the second coming of Jesus. It’ clear that Paul taught them correctly when with them, but it didn’t take long for others to twist Paul’s words and introduce false teachings. Paul’s letters to the church were written in part to correct their recent misunderstandings around the return of Christ.
Theme
As Paul wrote to counter the recent false teachings that had infiltrated the church surrounding the return of Christ, he also used the opportunity to remind the Thessalonians where they came from, who held their future, and what it means to be a follower of Jesus in word and action. He also emphasized the need to exercise church discipline when warranted and to be productive members of society even as they were productive members of God’s kingdom.
Why Study 1 and 2 Thessalonians?
The Christians in the church at Thessalonica had their struggles as they attempted to distinguish false teaching from the true gospel, but generally speaking, Paul regarded them as a model church worthy of imitation. Of all the lessons learned from Paul’s correspondence with the church, one primary lesson is that even an imperfect church can have a profound impact on its community when its members sincerely seek the Lord.
Week One
LESSON AIM: Walk worthy in a tireless labor of love, acting with holiness, righteousness, and blamelessness.
STUDY: 1 and 2 Thessalonians
THEME: Walk Worthy
LESSON TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16
SUPPLEMENTAL: Matthew 10:38; Ephesians 4:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; 1 Timothy 4:10
STUDY
WEEK 1
labor prompted by love
by Mark Scott
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Christianity is not for the lazy. This does not mean believers should ignore the sabbath principle. Nor does it mean life must be lived at some frantic pace that can actually destroy the work of the gospel in the soul. There is a need for Making Room for Life (a book by Randy Frazee). But “Christianity is not for the lazy” does mean the Christian experience can be described by the word labor. The apostle Paul did not labor to achieve salvation; he labored because he had salvation.
We might ask what motivated Paul’s labor in the Lord. In this lesson’s text, Paul explained how his message was pure, how his motives were noble, and how his ministry methods were unimpeachable. His loving ways stood in stark contrast to the practices of the traveling philosophers of his day (e.g., flattery, extortion, etc.).
The Labor of Preaching
1 Thessalonians 2:1-6
Paul reminded the Thessalonians of his initial visit to their city, a time when he (not surprisingly) preached the gospel to them (Acts 17:1-9). Paul had suffered and been treated outrageously (insulted and injured) in Philippi (Acts 16:19- 40). But that did not stop his labor of preaching. His witness was bold even amid strong opposition. Paul’s appeal (encouragement) was free from error (deception), impure motives (uncleanness), or tricky methods (guile).
Paul’s preaching goal was to be approved (tested) by God and to please (to fit or be inclined toward) God. That is why Paul did not use flattery or greed (desire for more). Paul’s preaching was for an audience of One. He did not seek praise from people, even though he could have made some demands because of his status as an apostle.
The Labor of Soul Care
1 Thessalonians 2:7-12
The pulpit can be an integrative point for the church, but it cannot accomplish everything. Labor prompted by love must also include taking care of people—something preaching alone cannot accomplish. Paul drew on mother and father metaphors to illustrate his labor of soul care for the Thessalonian church.
Any nursing mother knows the tenderness and long hours required to care for little ones. Paul used deeply affectionate language to describe how he conducted himself toward the church. This tender love caused Paul to reveal his heart toward the people. Verse 8 is one of the more beautiful in this section, “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” Paul’s labor was always more than just being a depository of information.
Paul’s work ethic was evident in this soul care. He deeply desired not to be a burden. He was willing to go through toil (labor that made one sweat) and hardship (day-today labor). He was tireless in his efforts, working night and day. Paul could accept pay or reject pay for preaching the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:15-18), but he never wanted to burden people for his preaching. This same work ethic drove his behavior, which was holy, righteous, and blameless.
Mothers may be tender, but fathers often function more like coaches. Dads encourage (uplift or exhort), comfort (pacify), and urge (bear witness to) their children. Paul acted the same toward the church. Paul gave them the best of the metaphors—i.e., tenderness and encouragement.
The Labor of Suffering
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
Labor that is not prompted by love can degenerate into duty, obligation, and drudgery. In addition, it will not have the power to endure the tough times. Paul acknowledged that the gospel was the source of transformation. No human word could do the work in a believer that God’s Word could do.
When the Thessalonians ended up suffering for the gospel, they proved they were imitators (mimics) of other Christians (e.g., the ones who had suffered so much in the earliest days of the church in Judea—Acts 8:1- 4). Paul was not being flippant about this. Suffering is serious. Neither was Paul being anti-Semitic. When he spoke of the Jews, he did not mean all Jews, but the Jewish aristocracy (leaders) who persecuted Jesus and his followers.
Sometimes God’s people suffer at the hands of the religious, not the irreligious. People displease God by causing such suffering. They displease God and are hostile to everyone. The reality, though, is they end up simply adding to their sin. God’s wrath is what awaits them. That is not a positive prospect. Whatever labor they are giving, it certainly is not motivated by love.
Mark Scott serves as preaching minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin, Mo. For 35 years, until 2021, he served as professor of preaching and New Testament with Ozark Christian College in Joplin.
APPLICATION
WEEK 1
Don’t give up on church
by David Faust
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How do you view the church?
Unbelievers mock it or view it as a relic—an outdated holdover from a time when religious superstitions ruled the day. Skeptics consider the church a gathering place for the weak-minded and a detriment to social progress—or worse, a way for money-hungry charlatans to fill their pockets by defrauding the faithful.
Consumer Christians treat the church like a retail store. They “shop” for a church based on convenience more than conviction, critiquing products and services as if they were choosing a favorite restaurant.
Celebrity-focused believers view the church as an entertainment venue. Groupies go for the show, following their favorite speakers and musicians.
Social activists consider the church a tool for shaping public policy. They want to spark social change by leveraging political power.
Ultratraditionalists resist change and confuse “how we’ve always done it” with what the Lord wants done. For them, familiar comforts matter more than missional effectiveness. They value the church’s past more than its future.
God’s Family
The New Testament describes the church in glowing terms like the bride of Christ, the body of Christ, the household of God, the chosen people, and the temple of the Holy Spirit. Yet, with unvarnished honesty that same New Testament reveals the early church’s flaws.
At times, first-century believers misbehaved like unruly children. Their leaders wrestled with controversial issues (Acts 15:1-35) and clashed over differences of opinion (15:36-41). Immature members of the Corinthian church divided over personalities (1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:1-4), engaged in shocking sexual immorality (5:1-13), argued over spiritual gifts (12:1–14:40), and struggled with key doctrines like the resurrection of Christ (15:12).
Today, even those of us who love the church must acknowledge our own wounds and disappointments at the hands of God’s people. After serving in the church for decades, I have my own list of scars and frustrations. But since Jesus willingly gave up his life to build his church, we must never give up the goal of giving God “glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” (Ephesians 3:21).
The apostle Paul had scars of his own, but he never quit on the church. He didn’t view himself as a celebrity, an entertainer, a political heavyweight, a corporate CEO, or a traditionalist maintaining the status quo. He saw himself as a servant of God, a shepherd of God’s people, and a steward of the gospel.
Paul was a spiritual dad. He compared himself to a nursing mother and a loving father who encourage, comfort, and exhort their children (1 Thessalonians 2:7, 11-12). Yes, the church has a role to play in changing society, influencing public policy, and safeguarding important traditions. And yes, manipulators try to use the church for selfish ends. The church has many flaws, but it is God’s family—and ours. Alan Ahlgrim, founder of the Covenant Connections ministry, calls the church our “fraternity for eternity.”
A Labor of Love
Caring parents love their children through the neediness of infancy and the awkwardness of adolescence, nursing them when they’re sick and soothing them when they’re scared in the middle of the night. Parenthood is a labor of love. Moms and dads love their kids when they’re at their worst and need correction, and smile with pride when they’re at their best.
The apostle Paul endured “toil and hardship” and “worked night and day” (1 Thessalonians 2:9), but like a caring parent, he never gave up on the church.
Neither should we.
Personal Challenge:
Write an encouraging note to a church leader you respect.
David Faust serves as senior associate minister with East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis.
DISCOVERY
WEEK 1
QUESTIONS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION
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1. Everyone has certain jobs they dislike. If given the choice, what kind of labor would you avoid forevermore?
Ask two people to read aloud 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16, one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then, as a group, quickly restate the passage in your own words.
2. As a group, see how many observations you can make about the relationship between Paul and the church in Thessalonica. (It’s OK to skim the passage on your own. There’s no need to analyze your observations yet; just spend time looking at the passage.)
3. What were Paul’s primary concerns in this passage?
4. Look at verses 6-12. What three metaphors did Paul use for the way he, Silas, and Timothy behaved when they were in Thessalonica?
- What do you think Paul was trying to accomplish by using those images?
5. Look for every use of the word God in the passage. What does God “do”?
6. What can we learn about humanity from this passage?
7. Based on what we’ve discussed, what will you do differently this week?
- How will you obey what you’ve learned?
8. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”
For Next Week: Read and reflect on 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts and the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
Week Two
LESSON AIM: Walk worthy by enduring hardship sustained by faith.
STUDY: 1 and 2 Thessalonians
THEME: Walk Worthy
LESSON TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
SUPPLEMENTAL TEXT: Philippians 1:25-30; Colossians 1:9-12; Hebrews 12:1-3
STUDY
WEEK 2
endurance inspired by Faith
by Mark Scott
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It’s been said that the Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon. Anyone can start. The question is, “Can one finish?” Races are won at the tape—not in the blocks. Even the writer of Hebrews emphasized this when he said, “Let us run with endurance the race set before us” (12:1).
One thing hindering the Thessalonian believers from enduring the race was confusion about the end times and return of Christ. Confusion about the future caused them uncertainty in the present. They needed some details about the future, but only so it would empower them to live well in the present by enduring any kind of suffering. Every chapter of Thessalonian correspondence says something about the return of Christ. Eschatology in the New Testament is more often tuned to Christian ethics than to predictions about world events.
Endurance Helps Us Suffer Affliction
1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:5
Paul loved the Thessalonian believers. In fact, he loved them so much that being separated from them seemed to him like being orphaned. He had an intense longing to see them. More than once he wanted to come to them. These people were Paul’s hope, joy, crown, and glory. Paul even used Timothy to close the gap between the Thessalonians and himself. Shortly after Paul’s trip to Berea and Athens (Acts 17), Timothy was dispatched to see how the Thessalonians were doing.
Paul recognized that he was in a battle with an archenemy, Satan (or the tempter), for the Thessalonians. Satan was who blocked (struck down) Paul’s way to the saints. Satan was who would attempt to derail the believers from being strengthened and encouraged in the faith. Satan was who would tempt people and cause Paul to feel he had labored in vain. Timothy’s report would help allay Paul’s fears.
The Thessalonians probably needed to get more comfortable with the idea of suffering affliction. Not only had Paul warned Christians about this previously (and now again in this Epistle), but he even went on to say that they were destined (placed or set) for this. It might be that Christians should be surprised when they are not suffering. But endurance causes us to bear up under any affliction.
Endurance Helps Us Stand Fast
1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Paul worried about the believers in Thessalonica. He waited for word from Timothy about how the Christians there were enduring. Timothy brought a good report. He brought good news (the word for evangelism) of the Thessalonians’ faith and love. Evidently the Thessalonian believers felt the same way about Paul too. Even though Paul admitted to being in distress and persecution, he found himself encouraged (comforted) by Timothy’s report. The Thessalonians’ faith was growing.
Verse 8 is key in this section. Paul said, “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” To “stand firm” means to be constant or persevere. To some extent, Paul’s spiritual barometer was in sync with the well-being of the people he had brought to Christ. Paul was grateful to God for their progress in the faith. This brought Paul much joy. It increased his desire to see the people. It also energized his prayers for them night and day. If there was anything lacking in their faith, Paul wanted to supply it.
Paul ended this tender section of the Epistle with a significant benediction or blessing (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:23). Paul prayed that God would clear the way (make straight) so he and his companions could come to them. He also desired that the Lord would make them increase (the positive side of coveting) and overflow (to be in excess) in love for each other and for everyone else. The purpose of that prayer was to see the Thessalonians be strengthened in their hearts and be blameless (unblemished) and holy in the presence of God. This would be noted when Jesus returns with all his holy ones (angels?).
If faith is strong and the future is secure, then any hardship can be endured. The race is not always to the swift. Often it is to the one who keeps on keeping on.
Mark Scott serves as preaching minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin, Mo. For 35 years, until 2021, he served as professor of preaching and New Testament with Ozark Christian College in Joplin.
APPLICATION
WEEK 2
if you knew
by David Faust
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“The future ain’t what it used to be.” (Yogi Berra)
“It is always wise to look ahead, but difficult to look further than you can see.” (Winston Churchill)
On the day I was born, I didn’t realize where I was, who I was, or what was coming. Babies don’t know how their lives will unfold. Maybe that’s for the best.
When I was in first grade, I didn’t grasp what it would mean to spend the next 12 years in school or how many assignments lay ahead. When I was baptized at 9 years old, I couldn’t comprehend all the tests my faith would face in the years to come.
I graduated from high school more than 50 years ago. Members of my graduating class couldn’t foresee all the twists and turns our lives would take. I didn’t realize that three years later I would be married. I could barely imagine what fatherhood and grandfatherhood would be like. When I was 18, the future seemed like a dream occupied by The Jetsons cartoon characters. What do you think the world will be like 50 years from now?
Hard Times Ahead
Only God sees time whole. No matter how much we plan, prepare, and prognosticate, we have a limited ability to foresee the future. Maybe that’s for the best.
On their wedding day, does a couple fully understand what it means to pledge their love “for better or worse, for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health”? When parents welcome a new baby into their home, do they realize what that child will cost—not only in dollars, but in sleepless nights, hard conversations, and trips to the emergency room? When a company fills a job opening, who knows whether the new employee will crash and burn within the first six months or stay and enjoy a productive 40-year career?
Each season of life contains hurts, joys, limitations, and regrets. If we knew how many difficulties the future holds, we might feel overwhelmed. Mercifully, God unrolls the timeline inch by inch, like a scroll. I’m glad everything doesn’t hit us all at once.
Better Things Ahead
There’s much we do not know . . . but God knows. That’s why it makes sense to live by faith, trusting the Lord more than we trust our own plans and abilities. Despite severe suffering and persecution (1 Thessalonians 1:6, 2:14), the Thessalonian Christians persevered because of their “endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:3). First Thessalonians shows that followers of Christ can expect to suffer, but it also highlights hope and mentions the Lord’s triumphant return near the end of each of the book’s five chapters.
If we knew all the troubles looming ahead, we would be disheartened. A wise adage says, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” The more we know the depth of God’s love, the easier it is to trust his plans. The more we know about the glories of Heaven, the better we can withstand the troubles of earth.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
Personal Challenge:
Discuss these questions in your small group or with a trusted friend: Am I a pessimist, an optimist, or a bit of both? What excites me about the future? What am I looking forward to—and what am I dreading?
David Faust serves as senior associate minister with East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis.
DISCOVERY
WEEK 2
QUESTIONS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION
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1. What excites you about the future? What are you looking forward to—and what are you dreading?
Ask two people to read aloud 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13, one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then, as a group, quickly restate the passage in your own words.
2. “Endurance” is a major theme in this passage. How do you see Paul demonstrating endurance?
- How do you see the church in Thessalonica demonstrating endurance?
3. Paul explicitly talked about both trials and temptations in this passage. Look again at verses 3-5; what trials was the church facing? What temptations?
4. Look at the relationship demonstrated in verses 8-10. Do you feel this way about anyone else?
- Do you know anyone who feels this way about you?
5. In verse 3, Paul told the Thessalonian church that they were “destined for” trials. Do you think this was a statement about that specific church or is it a universal statement about the Christian life? Why?
6. Where in your life are you “unsettled by these trials”?
- What will you do to stand firm this week?
7. Imagine repeating Paul’s prayer in verses 11-13 about someone. Who could you pray this for? How would you tell them?
8. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”
For Next Week: Read and reflect on 1 Thessalonians 4:16-5:18. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts and the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
Week Three
LESSON AIM: Be alert and practice self-control, faith, hope, and love.
STUDY: 1 and 2 Thessalonians
THEME: Walk Worthy
LESSON TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-5:18
SUPPLEMENTAL TEXT: 1 Corinthians 13:13; 15:20-28, 35-52; 1 Peter 4:7-10; 5:6-11
STUDY
WEEK 3
be alert for christ’s return
by Mark Scott
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Being brain-dead is no small thing. Without divine intervention, being brain-dead likely means permanent, irreversible, and complete loss of brain function. Spiritual brain-deadness is also no small thing. This comes when believers are not alert to the things of God. Their spiritual antennae are not receiving any signals. The Thessalonians were spiritually brain-dead about a major doctrine— the return of Jesus. Both their joy and their daily living took a hit as a result.
The doctrinal emphasis comes early in many of Paul’s Epistles (think Romans, Ephesians, and Colossians). But the doctrinal centerpiece of 1 Thessalonians comes in chapters 4 and 5. The call to moral excellence in Christian living seems to lead up to and finds its basis in the doctrinal emphasis of the book. This section on the return of Christ is one of the longest in the New Testament. It begins in 1 Thessalonians 4:13. Evidently some of the believers felt as if those who had died before the return of Jesus would miss out on his second coming. Paul was writing to correct that fallacious thinking.
The Reality of Christ’s Return
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
The return of Christ is as sure as his resurrection. Paul said the Lord himself will come from heaven. He will not send someone else in his place. Christ’s return will be attended by three things: a loud command (like the shout of soldiers in battle); the voice of the archangel (highest angel); and the trumpet call of God (trumpets were used to announce things like festivals and battles).
When the Lord returns, believers who have already died will be resurrected first. Their spirits, which had gone to be with the Lord upon their deaths (2 Corinthians 5:6), will be reunited with their bodies, and they will rise to help usher in his processional (like an ancient king returning home). Then those alive when Christ returns will be caught up (seized or robbed) together to meet Jesus as he descends on the clouds to earth. Both the dead in Christ and those alive at his coming will be with the Lord forever. At that time, Christ will judge the world (Revelation 19–20), purify it with fire (2 Peter 3), and create the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21–22).
The Suddenness of Christ’s Return
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
We need not be frantic about Jesus’ return. In fact, Christians should encourage each other regarding the second coming (mentioned twice in our lesson text—4:18 and 5:11). That said, there will be a surprising suddenness to Christ’s return. Paul used two examples to underline this suddenness. First, he said the Lord will come like a thief (mentioned in vv. 2 and 4). Thieves do not usually announce their coming. Instead, they operate in stealth under a cloak of darkness. Second, Paul said it will occur as labor pains on a pregnant woman. Pregnant women can have false labor and even contractions for days. But when it is time for the baby to come, the baby comes.
The Moral Purity That Attends Christ’s Return
1 Thessalonians 5:4-11
As Francis Schaeffer said years ago (and the apostle said in 2 Peter 3:11), How Should We Then Live? Which influences us more, the past or the future? Maybe the future is a more powerful shaping force in our lives than our past. Paul seemed to think so.
Paul used contrasting, morally driven comparisons to make his point—darkness and light (night and day); asleep or awake; sober or drunk. Believers (called children of the light or day) should not participate in the fruitless deeds of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). Christians live this calling to moral purity due to three things: the armor of God (v. 8); the recipients of salvation (v. 9); and the Christian community (v. 10)—we live together.
The Body Life in Light of Christ’s Return
1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
Paul addressed both leaders and followers in this text with a host of “machine-gun” imperatives. For effective body life in the church, members need to treat their leaders (those who work hard and care for you) with respect (highest regard). Likewise, leaders are solid people helpers—they warn, encourage, and help folks, while being patient with everyone. They must see that people strive to do what is good and that they don’t retaliate.
In addition to this division of responsibilities, all believers must rejoice, pray, and give thanks. The rub for these imperatives comes when we read always, continually, and in all circumstances. This kind of body life will have an attraction all its own.
Mark Scott serves as preaching minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin, Mo. For 35 years, until 2021, he served as professor of preaching and New Testament with Ozark Christian College in Joplin.
APPLICATION
WEEK 3
so what?
by David Faust
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Our brains are bombarded with data. Americans now take in five times more information every day than we did in the 1980s. According to a research study conducted at the University of California San Diego, an estimated 105,000 words daily flood our eyes and ears through phones, e-mail, TV, radio, social media, music, and ordinary conversation. Our five senses send 11 million bits of information per second to our brains, yet our conscious minds can process only 50 bits per second. No wonder we’re tired!
A FastCompany.com article explains, “Every status update you read on Facebook, every tweet or text message you get from a friend, is competing for resources in your brain with important things like whether to put your savings in stocks or bonds, where you left your passport, or how best to reconcile with a close friend you just had an argument with.”
The Disconnect
It’s hard to separate the trivial from the important. Overwhelmed with information, we struggle to answer a fundamental question: “So what?” Which ideas determine how we live?
Ask Christians if they believe in Jesus’ second coming, and most will say yes. But how does our belief affect our actions? According to the New Testament, the Lord will return to raise the dead, judge the world, and end this current world order. Jesus himself promised the second coming (Matthew 16:27; John 14:1-3). Angels foretold it (Acts 1:9-11) and the apostles predicted it (Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 3:8-12; 1 John 3:2). Although Bible believers hold various opinions about the details, we agree that Christ came the first time “to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time” (Hebrews 9:28).
But if we believe in the return of Christ, we must dare to ask, “So what?”
Practical Implications
The second coming deserves more than a passing nod. In practical terms, how does our expectation of Christ’s return shape our lives?
Think about it. We shouldn’t be end-time sensationalists pushing weird theories, but neither should we relegate the second coming of Christ to the doctrinal dustbin. Even if we struggle to understand all its implications, let’s not ignore this rewarding and relevant part of biblical teaching.
Prepare for it. We should respect the Bible’s solemn warnings about coming judgment and make sure that by God’s grace “we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming” (1 John 2:28). Jesus said, “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back” (Mark 13:35). James urged, “You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:8). By sharing the gospel, we help others prepare for his coming, too.
Look forward to it. Christ’s return is a source of great encouragement. We will see the risen Lord someday, so our labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). We “do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope”; instead, we look forward to being “with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:13, 17).
Corrie ten Boom said it well: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
When the Lord returns, let’s be among those “who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). Let’s “live holy and godly lives” as we “look forward to the day of God and speed its coming” (2 Peter 3:11-12).
Personal Challenge:
What do you personally believe about the return of Christ? How does the certainty of his return shape your perspective and your priorities?
David Faust serves as senior associate minister with East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis.
DISCOVERY
WEEK 3
QUESTIONS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION
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1. At what important time in your life did someone encourage you? Why did you need it? What changed because of it?
Ask two people to read aloud 1 Thessalonians 4:16-5:18, one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then, without rereading the passage, identify the key ideas or phrases that stood out to you?
2. Verses 4:18 and 5:11 explicitly tell us to encourage each other. Several other verses imply it. And this passage, taken as a whole, acts as an encouragement to the church in Thessalonica. With the last two weeks’ studies in mind, why did this church so badly need encouragement?
3. Why did Paul talk about the Lord’s return in this passage?
4. A lot of conjecture surrounds how Jesus will return. Taking only information from this passage, what can you definitively say?
5. What does it mean to “belong to the night” versus “belong to the day” (verses 5, 8)? Is that the same thing or different from “awake” or “asleep” (verses 6, 10)?
6. What can we learn about God from this week’s passage?
7. What can we learn about ourselves?
8. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”
For Next Week: Read and reflect on 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts and the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
Week Four
LESSON AIM: Persevere so you may be counted worthy.
STUDY: 1 and 2 Thessalonians
THEME: Walk Worthy
LESSON TEXT: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
SUPPLEMENTAL TEXT: Romans 5:1-5; James 1:2-4
STUDY
WEEK 4
be strong through trials
by Mark Scott
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Jesus’ half-brother James gave inspired advice about how to be strong through trials. His advice was to have the right attitude of joy and to ask God in prayer for wisdom (James 1:2-5). Paul gave the Thessalonians additional inspired advice about how to be strong through trials. It had to do with growing in faith and love, recognizing God’s judgment, and constantly praying.
We enter the second Epistle to the Thessalonians in this lesson. A poor understanding about the future evidently continued to plague the church. Some people in the church were confused about the nature of God’s judgment (chapter 1), some were confused about how the evil forces leveled against the church would play out (chapter 2), and some were given to sloth—evidently wondering why work was even necessary since Jesus was returning (chapter 3). Their worthy walk in the Lord was being compromised by wrongheaded thinking.
Faith and Love Help Us Be Strong Through Trials
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4
Paul gave a typical salutation in the first two verses. (Still, this greeting was deeper, richer, and sweeter than the typical salutation of first-century letter writing, which usually consisted of “Greetings.”) Paul’s greeting was filled with theology (grace and peace) and two members of the trinity (God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ).
Paul also gave a typical thanksgiving for the church (vv. 3-4). One thing is missing, though, from his typical triad of Christian virtues. He spoke of faith and love but not hope. Is that a clue to part of the Thessalonians’ problems? Sometimes what is missing is as important as what is included.
Paul thanked (the word for the English “eucharist”) God for them. The reasons were simple and obvious. Their faith was growing (hyper-flourishing) and their love was increasing (“more than enough”; it is the normal word for “coveting”). Paul did not mind boasting (glorying or exulting) about their perseverance (“remaining strong under”) and their faith during their persecutions and trials.
God’s Judgment Helps Us Be Strong Through Trials
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
The heading sounds strange at first pass. God’s wrath is a help? Yes! Knowing that right will be vindicated and wrong will be eradicated does bring comfort to God’s people. It helps them stay in the fight. All this is evidence (proof) that God’s judgment is right (proper or fitting; cf. Romans 3:4). These believers who were standing up under great suffering would be counted worthy by God (mentioned twice in the text).
God’s judgment (justness) is twofold: to reward believers and pay back unbelievers.
Believers will experience four things from this God of justice: (1) vindication from people who had troubled (pressed in) on them; (2) relief (rest) from their oppressors; (3) glorification with Jesus when he comes; and (4) sharing in the privilege of marveling at Jesus when he returns.
Unbelievers will also experience four things from this God of justice: (1) they will be paid back for mistreating Christians; (2) they will be punished (vindictive justice) for not knowing God or obeying the gospel; (3) they will experience everlasting destruction (unavoidable distress and torment. Some scholars would say that since the word means to annihilate and kill that they will cease to exist, known as annihilationism—but the church at large through the centuries has not clung to that doctrine, opting instead for eternal judgment.); and (4) they will experience being shut out from the presence of the Lord.
Jesus’ return will be glorious. He will be revealed in blazing fire (penal retribution) with his powerful angels. He will be glorified in or with his people. He will be marveled at among all those who have believed. This glorious event can sustain the most discouraged believer.
Prayer Helps Us Be Strong Through Trials
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Two nuances of prayer are mentioned in these verses. The first is that Paul prayed for the Thessalonians constantly. This is known as the ministry of intercession. Paul prayed for them to be made worthy of God’s calling on their lives. Paul also prayed that their desire to do good—and the good deeds that sprung from it—would produce fruit.
The second is that Paul prayed for the name of Jesus to be glorified. This means his weighty presence and shining brilliance would be made famous throughout the world. It means that his good news would run and have free course in the world. When prayer sets the mind on heaven, any trial on earth can be endured.
Mark Scott serves as preaching minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin, Mo. For 35 years, until 2021, he served as professor of preaching and New Testament with Ozark Christian College in Joplin.
APPLICATION
WEEK 4
it’s messy on the boat
by David Faust
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Image doesn’t always match reality. Fast-food burgers look fresh and delicious on TV commercials, but often they turn out dry and disappointing at the local drivethrough. Real estate ads show homes with beautifully decorated rooms and perfectly manicured lawns, but the families who live there know about the clutter and the weeds. With the help of makeup, lighting, editing, and photo filters, models look better in magazines than they do in real life.
Some read the biblical account of Noah’s ark and treat it like a charming little children’s story, but in fact it’s a solemn reminder about God’s judgment and his saving grace. Imagine what it was like being cooped up with all those animals for months. It was messy on the boat—crowded, smelly, dirty, and dangerous. But to be saved from the flood, that messy place was exactly where Noah and his family needed to be.
Unvarnished Reality
Sometimes we glamorize stories in the Bible instead of viewing them realistically. The characters we meet in Scripture come alive with fresh relevance when we remember they were real, unvarnished people like ourselves.
Abraham and Sarah serve as great role models of faith, but it wasn’t glamorous when they had to move and make their home in an unfamiliar land. The patriarchs Isaac and Jacob spent a lot of time on mundane chores like finding water and pasture for their livestock. Joseph endured cruel mistreatment from his brothers before rising to a high position in Egyptian government. Moses met with God on the mountain, but he also felt the crushing burden of leadership and the sting of harsh criticism. Naomi and Ruth experienced the grief of widowhood. David’s victories on the battlefield didn’t prevent him from feeling the pain of his own moral failure and the sorrow of his infant son’s death. Jonah endured three days in a fish’s stinky belly and Daniel survived a terrifying night in a lions’ den.
Jesus’ disciples witnessed mighty miracles, but they also engaged in petty squabbles. John the Baptist questioned, Martha worried, Thomas doubted, James and John thundered, and Peter denied the Lord.
Don’t Go Overboard
Church websites show smiling faces, sharp-looking graphics, and glowing reviews. At most churches, you will be greeted warmly when you arrive. But do the images match reality? Christian people aren’t photoshopped models with perfect lives. We wrestle with the same struggles and temptations common to everyone else. Our bodies break down. Our jobs are stressful. Our marriages, families, and friendships are imperfect. Christians disagree about all sorts of issues, big and small.
The Thessalonian church faced intensifying hardship, but their faith and love kept increasing as well. The apostle Paul found their faithfulness so encouraging that he bragged about their “perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials” they endured (2 Thessalonians 1:4). Yet, this same church contained “idle and disruptive” members. They should have been a busy body, but instead they were “busybodies” (2 Thessalonians 3:11).
It’s messy on the boat. Sometimes it’s so messy we’re tempted to go overboard and abandon the boat altogether, forgetting that it’s deadly outside. Remember: Christ himself is our lifeboat. What saves us from the flood? His blood. What saves the human race? His grace. The church consists of imperfect people riding the waves together, trusting the Savior to get us through the storm. Don’t give up the ship.
Personal Challenge:
Someone has said, “The world at its worst needs the church at its best.” How are you helping your church to be at its best?
David Faust serves as senior associate minister with East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis.
DISCOVERY
WEEK 4
QUESTIONS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION
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1. Do you tend to focus more on your successes or your failures?
- Do you tend to focus on the success of others or their failures?
Ask two people to read aloud 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12, one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then, as a group, quickly restate the passage in your own words.
2. Reread verses 3 and 4. If Paul were writing about you, what one thing in your spiritual life would he boast about?
3. We tend to think that being judged is a bad thing, but Paul wrote about a coming judgment in an encouraging way. Why would judgment be encouraging for the church in Thessalonica?
- In what areas of life might a coming judgment be encouraging for you?
4. Verses 6-10 contain a significant warning that we shouldn’t gloss over. What emotions do you feel as you read these words?
5. Verse 11 contains a beautiful prayer by Paul for his friends. If you knew Paul was praying that God would “bring to fruition your every desire for goodness,” what good thing would you desire? What “deed prompted by faith?”
6. With the warnings of verses 5-10 in mind, for whom do you need to be praying this week and how could you invite them to take a step closer to Jesus?
7. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”
For Next Week: Read and reflect on 2 Thessalonians 3:1-15. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts and the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
Week Five
LESSON AIM: Never tire of doing what is right.
STUDY: 1 and 2 Thessalonians
THEME: Walk Worthy
LESSON TEXT: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-15
SUPPLEMENTAL TEXT: Proverbs 6:6-11; 31:10-31; 1 Timothy 5:13
STUDY
WEEK 5
don’t be idle wasting time
by Mark Scott
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Stephen Langton (1150–1228) was an English cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. Later he became the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is credited with dividing the Bible into chapters. His judgments concerning the divisions of thought often make sense. Other times, not so much.
The reader of 2 Thessalonians will have to decide whether a break makes sense when coming to chapter 3. “As for other matters” sounds like a new subject and therefore the chapter division. But the Greek Bible simply has “Finally” or “The remaining ones.” That might just as well connect back to the former paragraph of 2:13-17 where Paul encouraged the church to stand firm in their faith. Maybe instructions related to prayer and the Lord’s faithfulness fit with the former teachings best. But prayer can also keep us industrious. So, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 might well be a bridge from 2:13-17 to 3:6-15.
Prayer Is a Good Use of Time
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Prayer is always a good move. Paul made two prayer requests. He asked the Thessalonians to pray that the gospel (message of the Lord) would spread rapidly (run and have free course) and be honored (glorified). Since the gospel made a difference in the lives of the Thessalonians, he desired that it do the same work for others. Paul also asked God to deliver him and his team from wicked and evil people who have no faith.
These two prayer requests are undergirded by three strong statements about the Lord: (1) The Lord is faithful; (2) the Lord will strengthen them and protect them from the devil; and (3) the Lord will direct (to guard straight through) their hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. Since eschatology was the main problem with the Thessalonian church, perhaps they would need to remember to pray, “Thy kingdom come.”
Sloth Is a Lousy Use of Time
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
It is hard to know exactly what tempted the believers in Thessalonica to be lazy. (Was it the view that since Christ was returning, work made no sense at all?) Regardless of the genesis of that thinking, Paul felt compelled to address it in a major way. His language was strong. The Thessalonians needed to learn from the ant (Proverbs 6:6-11) and the virtuous woman (Proverbs 31:10-31), and they needed to avoid the path of some of the widows in Ephesus (1 Timothy 5:13).
Paul underlined his command about sloth in the name of the Lord Jesus (i.e., in his authority). The believers were to avoid a brother or sister who was idle (living disorderly or irregularly) and disruptive (mentioned twice in the text), and who did not live according to the teaching Paul gave them.
Paul added to that command in verses 11-15, but for the moment he bared his heart (and the hearts of his fellow church planters) and used his own life and ministry as a personal example. Paul wanted them to follow his example (mimic him). He and his missionary team did not presume on people. They were not idle during his short time in Thessalonica. They paid for whatever food they ate. They worked night and day. They labored and toiled in such a way so as not to be a burden. Paul admitted having certain rights (authority) as an apostle, but he did not want to overstep that privilege. Rather, he wanted to be a model (someone over which others could trace their lives).
Bottom line? “No work; no eat.” In the words of at least one Bible commentator, “Stop fussing; stop idling; stop sponging.”
Word had come to Paul (most likely through Timothy’s report—1 Thessalonians 3:6) that idle and disruptive people were just being busybodies (to bustle about). Paul again called on the authority of Jesus to urge them to settle down (be quiet) and earn the food they eat. If they would just not tire of doing what is good (Galatians 6:9-10), they would avoid the sin of sloth.
Lest someone think this sin is not as bad as something like immorality, Paul puts sloth into a church discipline offense. If someone is lazy, church fellowship is to be withdrawn. “Do not associate with them” could not be clearer. The goal, as always in the case of church discipline, was restoration. Any shame brought on this brother or sister was intended to bring about repentance. That is why Paul did not want the church to regard such a one as an enemy but as a fellow believer who is living in error.
Work (not workaholism) is a big deal. It was ordained in creation before the fall of humankind (Genesis 2:15). When Jesus comes again, the commended will be those who are working (Luke 12:38).
Mark Scott serves as preaching minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin, Mo. For 35 years, until 2021, he served as professor of preaching and New Testament with Ozark Christian College in Joplin.
APPLICATION
WEEK 5
Something is out of whack in my church
by David Faust
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What does it mean to say your back is “out of whack”? How can you tell if something is “in whack”? Whack means to strike sharply like a hammer pounds a nail or an axe chops a tree. Imagine a drummer beating a cadence on a drum, and you can understand why “out of whack” means being out of rhythm or out of step. According to another theory, the expression “out of whack” arose when frustrated owners had to strike finicky motors or appliances to get them to work—as in, “My lawn mower won’t start unless I whack it.” (Wacky, by the way, originally meant someone who had endured a hard blow to the head.) Something is out of whack when it’s not in top form or working the way it was designed to perform.
Let’s be honest. A lot of local churches don’t operate well. It’s beautiful when they do—when the body of Christ functions with harmony and efficiency. But it’s rare to find a congregation where everyone is “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) and aligned around a common mission. Something is out of whack in the church.
Busy Bees
Insects provide a positive example of industriousness and cooperation. “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” (Proverbs 6:6).
A high-functioning colony of honeybees illustrates God’s marvelous design. Inside a beehive, some worker bees guard the hive while others build the comb, care for the queen, or collect and store nectar. Some of the workers provide natural air conditioning; they adjust the temperature of the honeycomb by fanning their wings. Others (called undertaker bees) remove dead bees from the beehive.
Why can’t God’s people be so well organized? Why are churches often so divided, disorganized, and ineffective?
Sloppy Agape
Here’s an unpleasant thought: Maybe you and I are part of the problem. What kinds of problem people make the church out of whack?
Activity Addicts. Some church members are always on the go, but they have forgotten why. They volunteer a lot and seldom slow down, but a flurry of activity doesn’t guarantee spiritual maturity. Like Martha who “was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” (Luke 10:40), activity addicts stay busy, but they miss the blessings of sitting quietly at Jesus’ feet.
Love Laggards. For some Christians, church revolves around their personal preferences. Love laggards practice sloppy agape. For them, love is something to receive, not to give. They stick around if the church meets their needs and they “get something out of it,” but they don’t put much into it—and they’re quick to go elsewhere if anything displeases them.
Imperfect Perfectionists. Hypercritical church members find fault with others and smugly assume, “Things would go better if they were done my way.” In an imperfect world, though, it’s hard to be a happy perfectionist, because we all have flaws. Imperfect perfectionists are never satisfied with others because deep down they are frustrated with themselves.
I hate to admit it, but sometimes I recognize symptoms of dysfunction like these in myself. What if one thing that’s “out of whack” in the church . . . is me? Can we learn to serve the Lord with humble, cheerful hearts, working hard while always remembering why? Let’s take a whack at it.
Personal Challenge:
On a piece of paper, list things that bother you about the church you attend. Then pray about each item on the list. In your prayer: (a) ask the Lord to give you grace, patience, and humility toward other members of Christ’s family, and (b) ask the Lord what you personally can do to improve any areas of weakness in your church.
David Faust serves as senior associate minister with East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis.
DISCOVERY
WEEK 5
QUESTIONS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION
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1. Who among your family and friends is a good role model as a hard worker? What about their life is worth imitating?
Ask two people to read aloud 2 Thessalonians 3:1-15, one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. What is this passage about? Summarize Paul’s concerns and his instructions. What is he trying to address?
2. In verses 6 and 11, Paul warned not just against being “idle” but being “idle and disruptive.” How is the idleness Paul warned against different from resting or being unable to work?
3. In verses 7-9, Paul talked about being “a model for you to imitate.” What is one thing in your own life that is worth imitating?
- What one thing would you like to imitate from others?
4. In verses 14 and 15, Paul talked about using shame as a tool for positive outcomes. How is Paul’s instruction in verse 15 different from the way our society usually uses shame?
5. What can we learn about God from this week’s passage?
6. What can we learn about ourselves?
7. Today’s reading began with Paul’s prayer that “the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored.” Where do you see this happening in your circles?
- How could you help the Good News spread?
8. Based on our discussion and study, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”
For Next Week: This week’s lesson bring this unit of study to a conclusion. Look for additional “1717: Your Word Is Truth” studies, for use with your Sunday School classes, small groups, or personal studies, at ChristianStandard.com.
