tuesday bible study: 1 Thessalonians

Also see: Ecclesiates Bible Study | Revelation Bible Study | Tobit Bible Study Spring 2008, 6-7 on Tuesdays in the parlor. April 8, 15, 22, 29 and May 6, 13 & 20 Week 5:  Like a Thief   Read 1 Thessalonians 5.1-28.    1. Why are the examples of thief and a woman in labor good analogies? 2. How can a person prepare for the day of the Lord? 3. What instructions does Paul give for living in the daylight (5.8)? 4. Faith, love, and hope are the defensive weapons.  What do these virtues mean to you?   5. When should you speak a word of warning or admonishment to a friend (5.14)?  How can you do this and still live at peace with each other?   6. What does it mean to: a. be joyful always? b. pray continually? c. give thanks in all circumstances?   7. How might a person treat prophesy with contempt? 8. How can you test things like prophesy to find out if they are good or evil? 9. Look through chapter 5 again, and pick out the actions and attitudes that are displeasing to God, stated or implied.  What are they? 10. Which of these instructions in chapter 5 strikes you, and why? 11. How holistic is Paul’s vision of salvation in 5.23-24? 12. What is a holy kiss, and why don’t we practice it?   Week 4:  Sex & the End Times   Read 1 Thessalonians 4.1-18.    1. Look up the word fornication in an English dictionary, and write down the definition here. What does it connote to you? 2. How does 4.4 read in your Bible? Look in up in a couple of Bibles.  How would the meaning change if the word vessel means penis? 3. What does Paul mean when he says the Lord is an avenger? 4. What seems to be the issues in 1 Thes 4.9-12?  How would you summarize a Christian work ethic? 5. When has grief affected your life?  In what ways might a Christian’s grief be different from others? 6. What sequence of events does Paul say will occur when Christ returns?  What do you think of these verses/ 7. Concerning those who have died in your life, who would you like very much to see again? 8. Why would the Thessalonians found these word comforting?  Do they comfort you, or call up another emotion?   9. Why are there such a plethora of weird “second coming” books?  Why are some Christians so obsessed with the parousia? 10. Answer honestly, please: will Christ come again in this manner, or has it already happened, or will it never happen in this way, but be a spiritual second coming instead?  What is your opinion? 11. Do any of these verse help you with thoughts and fears you might have about your own death? 12. Which verse from this chapter is the most interesting to you, and which is the most troublesome, and why?   Week 3:  Agape & Parousia   Read 1 Thessalonians 2.17—3.13.    1. What is the image that Paul uses in 2.17-20 to suggest his longing to see them? 2. What is a famous orphan story or two that you remember?  Why are these stories so special to many Christians? 3. Paul uses the term parousia to mean coming or presence.  How does he widen this usage?  What is the word history? 4. How does Paul express his love for the recipients of his letter?  How do you express your love for others? 5. What fears caused Paul to send Timothy to Thessalonica? 6. Why did Paul warn them that they were destined for persecution? 7. How can we be prepared for trials and persecutions?  Do you think you see them in your lifetime? 8. Why was Timothy’s report such good news to Paul?  How can a person like Timothy bring reassurance to people who are struggling?   9. What are Paul’s desires for the Thessalonians?  How do they show his love and care?   10. To whom is the prayer in 3.11-13 directed?  Is it significant that the verb is singular?   11. What are the three petitions of this prayer in 3.11-13?  To whom does he want them to love (agape)?   12. Again, like at the end of chapter 2, Paul mentions what?  And what does he want them to do until then? Week 2:  Overtaken by God’s Wrath   Read 1 Thess chapter 2.  1. If you had been Paul, what excuses might you have had not to preach to the Thessalonians?  What enabled him to preach with courage? 2. Notice 2.3-6. What do these verses suggest our attitude and reasons for being a witness to others? 3. How was Paul like a nurse caring for her little children (2.7-9)? 4. Has another Christian’s gentleness and caring ever been a witness to you?  If so, how and when? 5. In 2.13-16, Paul offers them a series of three reminders.  What are they? 6. Paul’s conduct, he claims, was “pure, upright, and blameless” among the Thessalonians.  If this is important, how can imperfect people dare to live and to tell the gospel? 7. How is a father dealing with children a good example of a minister or missionary? 8. What difficulties did the Thessalonians face in their faith with others (2.14-16)?  What encouragement does Paul give them? 9. What is difficult for you personally about being a Christian among non-Christians? 10. Paul’s words in 2.15-16 are harsh.  Is it true what he says about the Jews, both literally and theologically? 11. What is God’s wrath that has overtaken them at last?  What are the possibilities? 12. The section is 2.17—3.10 falls neatly into four sections.  What are they? Week 1: Where is Thessalonica? Read through the entire letter twice.  We’ll focus on 1 Thess 1.1-10 & Acts 16-17.  We’ll try to work through a chapter a week. 1. Look up Thessalonica in a bible dictionary, and write down what you learn here. 2. What struck you about the letter as a whole on your double read-through? 3. Read Acts 16-17.  What happens to Paul there, and why? 4. Paul wishers his readers, “Grace and peace to you.”  When in your life have you experienced grace and peace, and what do those words mean to you? 5. What three key concepts are mentioned in 1.3, and what order are they in (and why)? 6. In 1.6, why does Paul want them to become of him and of Christ?  How does one do that?  Is the order significant? 7. What is the link between joy and suffering, if any? 8. Consider 1.7-9a.  What do these verses imply about the transmission of the gospel itself? 9.  What exactly is an idol?  What are some idols we have now in America in 2008? 10. What is the coming wrath, and how did/does Jesus rescue them and us? 11. What three verbs does Paul use in 1.9-10 to describe the experience of the Thessalonians?  Why might these be significant? 12. Where is the cross in Paul’s words here?  Paul seldom uses the word “Jesus” without the words “Christ” or “Lord” as he does here?  Why?

College Park Baptist Church 1601 Walker Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27403 cpbcgbo@bellsouth.net 336.273.1779