The Gospel and the Church in Thessalonica

Our next Sermon Series will be a study in I Thessalonians. Here are some helpful ways you can prepare for the series:

1. First Reading of Letter: Read the letter then answer these questions; (1) What is the tone of the letter? (2) What are Paul’s purposes in writing the letter? (3) Is there one overriding theme in this letter?

2. Second Reading: In the original language (Greek), this letter has 18 paragraphs (thought units) that together merge to communicate Paul’s message. Read each paragraph and then try to assign a title to each (a paragraph title is a summary in your own words of the central idea in the paragraph). The paragraphs are: 1:1; 1:2-10; 2:1-12; 2:13-16; 2:17-20; 3:1-5; 3:6-10; 3:11-13; 4:1-2; 4:3-8; 4:9-12; 4:13-18; 5:1-11; 5:12-22; 5:23-24; 5:25; 5:26-27; 5:28.

3. Outline. Try to go through the letter again and develop an outline of 1 Thessalonians based on your study thus far.

Application Questions for Intro to Series from Acts 17:1-9

1. What is Paul's method of sharing the Gospel in Thessalonica?

2. What is the message of the Gospel Paul preached?

3. What was Paul's purpose in sharing the Gospel (v4)?

4. What does God establish through the Gospel?

5. What are practical ways that you can apply the lessons of Acts 17:1-9?