TEACHING 1: 1 THESSALONIANS
1 Thessalonians 1 (Discipleship Hour Teaching)
Welcome to our Discipleship Hour BLOG. These short readings are the same thing that Pastor Tony is teaching for the first 5 minutes of each Thessalonians study on Sunday mornings. If you miss a discipleship hour or are unable to attend at all be sure to read. (These are less than a 5-minute read) followed by inductive bible study questions you can do on your own or with a group.
1 Thessalonians Overview
3 Themes to Watch for in Thessalonians
Understanding 1st and 2nd Thessalonians provides an opportunity for renewed hope through the truth of the 2nd coming of Christ. The theme of the 2nd coming was a comfort to the church in Thessalonica. The comfort of this truth gives them the ability to be energized with hope. A renewed energy from being comforted by the fact that Jesus is coming back should drive us to have more ability and ambition to continue God’s work with perseverance. This truth should also drive us to desire to live holy lives. The 2nd coming of Christ is mentioned in 1 Thes. 1:10/2:19/3:1-3/4:13-18/ and 5:03.
A second theme throughout the books of Thessalonians is that of persecution and hardship endured by God’s workers. When Paul, Silas, and Timothy preached despite hardships and persecution it proved that their message was real, and their motives were pure. Their main motivation for preaching and bringing the gospel to the Thessalonians wasn’t money or fame. It was a desire to bring the truth of the gospel. The enduring of persecution proved this fact to be true. If they were preaching just to make money, they would've run when their lives were in danger.
A third theme that is interesting is that Paul mentions time and again that what he is telling the Thessalonians, they already have heard for the most part, and already know. Paul is using this letter to teach some new things but really to reinforce the truth they already know. The truth about God is being challenged as people waver in persecution and hear false teaching.
Background of Thessalonians
The background of Thessalonians helps us understand the context that Paul was writing in. Thessalonica was an important city in the Macedonian world. It was the political capital and was geographically set on a seaport and a main Roman highway (the via Egnatia). The city became a center of commerce and naturally of Greco Roman culture as well. Paul took the first-ever missionary journey into Macedonia and the church in Thessalonica was one of the first churches in this gentile (non-Jewish) region. It was the Macedonian man's vision (Acts 16:6-10) that first brought Paul here, to the city called the ”Mother of Macedonia.”
Acts 17:5-15 gives us some context that believers were being persecuted by unbelieving Jews. There comes a time when Paul has to flee to spare his own life and he goes to Athens and then to Corinth. It is in Corinth that he writes the letters of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. An Archaeological discovery of an inscription in Delphi called the Inscription of Galio, found in 1927, helps scholars nail down the time of writing of this book to be about 51 AD.
Galio Inscription 51 AD
A Quick Look at 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1
1st Thessalonians begins with a greeting, letting us know that not just Paul but Silas and Timothy also are interested in this church’s wellbeing. Paul then goes on to give thanks to God for this church. He prays for them in chapter one and throughout the book ( 1:2-4, 3:11-13, and 5:23-24) This is a great encouragement to pray as a believer and as a church leader. It is easy to get caught up in studying, and meetings, and everyday life, but the importance of prayer is illustrated by Paul here and should be seen as the most important task of a believer. Not only does Paul continuously pray for them, but he is also continuously remembering them. He is thankful that they have works that are brought about by faith. That they have works that are motivated by love for others. In fact, they have labored to the point of weakness, toiling for the work of the Lord. They also are steadfast in hope and are certain Christ's promises will become reality. Even though they need a little help, just like we all do, of understanding the truth of those promises.
Ancient Coins were formed with a stamp, hit with a hammer, creating the same pattern on each.
Paul commends them in chapter one because they followed his teachings and have worked for the cause of the gospel despite persecution. Because they have done this, they are an example to the world around them. They are a model of Christ to all who look on. This word “example” or “model” in Greek refers to a stamp, like a coin that is stamped. Just like a coin is stamped in the same pattern, coin after coin, the Thessalonians have become a pattern of how to live for the Lord. Their genuine faith is proved by their decision to turn from idols, their commitment to serve the one true God, and their faith in waiting for Christ's return. Belief in the 2nd coming is one sign that someone is a true believer. It takes great faith to believe Jesus will come back. Faith like this can only come from the Holy Spirit working in someone's heart. It is too great, too lofty a truth to believe on our own.
INDUCTIVE STUDY QUESTIONS
1 Thessalonians Chapter 1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Read the passage. Let’s get into God’s word!
Write down how the passage made you feel. One word, like convicted, happy, anxious, melancholy, etc. Let’s make this passage personal!
Write down a word or phrase or idea in the scripture that jumped out at you. Let’s let the Holy Spirit work through His word!
Leader asks some/all to share their feeling and their word/phrase/idea, then asks what from their life does that person associate with that feeling and word/phrase/idea. (example from studying Psalm 23) Might be remembering visiting grandpa’s sheep farm and sadness of loss of him, or pain of strained family relationships, or joy remembering grandma and grandpa’s good Christian marriage. Let’s talk about it from our life experience!
Leader asks if there is anything that he/she/group can pray for that person in relation to all that was shared. Let’s pray!
Leader takes notes and remembers to follow up with that person the following week to see how things are going. Let’s be consistent/remember/challenge each other!