1 Thessalonians
Lesson 8: Encouragement and Instruction for Today1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
In the previous lesson, Paul encouraged the church at Thessalonica—as well as us today—by reassuring them that even if they died before Christ’s return, they would be resurrected and not miss his return. He further encouraged them (and us) to be diligent and sober in our actions and not to fear the wrath and judgment of God, since through Christ we will kept from them.
With this reassurance, Paul now tells us how we are to live and conduct ourselves within the church body as we eagerly look toward Christ’s return. We will specifically be looking at Paul’s commands to rejoice "evermore;" and "in everything give thanks" and consider what this means during times of turmoil and challenge in our lives. Paul’s commands are excellent for all of us to apply to our lives. I pray you will be blessed even more than usual by your study of this passage.
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 and consider the following questions:
- There are three groups, or people, addressed by Paul in this passage. Can you identify them?
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 refers to __________.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 refers to __________.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 refers to __________.
- Within the church then, Paul calls out our responsibilities and relationships to the leadership that God places over us within his church, the people who make up that church body, and us individually. In referring to the church leaders, why does Paul say we are to "esteem them very highly?"
- Identified in 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 are five things we are to do as a church body. They are:
- Warn the ____________
- Comfort the __________
- Support the ____________
- Be patient towards _________
- See that none render evil for ______________
- Paul then instructs us individually in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22. We are told to:
- Rejoice ___________
- Pray without __________
- In everything give ______________
- Quench not the ____________________
- Despise not __________________
- Prove (or test) all _____________________
- Abstain from ______________________
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul tells us to give thanks in "everything." Why does he say that we should do this?
- In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, what does it mean to be "sanctified?"
- Finally, consider 1 Thessalonians 5:16 and 18, and James 1:2. How can we rejoice in everything, when many things in life are difficult, painful, challenging, uncertain, and cause us to become filled with anxiety?
In closing, please read Matthew 6:25-34 this week. It will give you great peace, and free you from anxiety and worry.
Thanks for studying with us.
In Christ,
Wes
[2019]