11/24/2024 John Peace (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10: The Apostle Paul’s Thanksgiving Topics)

(QUESTIONS)

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (Go to the ESV Bible verses)

Key Verse 2, “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.”

1. Read 1 Thess. 1:1. See the map of the location of Thessalonica (picture below). How was the church in Thessalonia founded by the Apostle Paul? (Ac. 16:8; Ac. 17:1-4) When and where was Paul writing this letter from? What is the grace and peace we receive from “God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”?

2. Read 1 Thess. 1:2-3. What kind of church was the one in Thessalonica? Why was Apostle Paul thankful to God and prayerful for them? Are there other churches that you know of which were or are like the Thessalonian church? Do you know of any churches unlike the Thessalonian church?

3. Read 1 Thess. 1:4-5. What do we learn in these verses about God’s election? In what sense is Paul saying that just vocalizing the gospel not enough? What does it mean “with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction”? (Ac. 1:8; Is. 55:11)

4. Read 1 Thess. 1:6-7. Whose lives and examples were the Thessalonians mimicking? How did they become a good example for other believers? (See the map for the location of Achaia below) What does it mean to you personally to be a little “copy” of Jesus?

5. Read 1 Thess. 1:8-9. How could their faith and spiritual reputation go ahead of them? (2 Cor. 8:1-5) What are some idols of today that people have or can turn away from to serve and worship the living God? (Jas. 5:19-20; Lk. 9:23)

6. Read 1 Thess. 1:10. What were the believers waiting for? What ought to be the ultimate hope for all believers, including us? (Ac. 1:11) What does Jesus’ resurrection and return save us from and how does it help us spiritually?

7. In light of this passage, what should we be most thankful to God for? How do you think that in our times people, even some believers, trivialize the meaning of Thanksgiving? How can we help people come back to the true meaning of Thanksgiving from Paul’s example?

Footnotes

1. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas

2. 1 Thessalonians 1:4 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 2:1, 9, 14, 17; 3:7; 4:1, 10, 13; 5:1, 4, 12, 14, 25, 27.

(MESSAGE)