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I THESSALONIANS – LESSON 4
I. PAUL’S GENUINE CONCERN OVER THREAT OF PERSECUTION DESTROYING THE FAITH OF THE THESSALONIANS CAUSING HIM TO SEND TIMOTNY TO THESSALONICA (3:1-
A. Reasons for sending Timothy – a brother, and God’s minister in the gospel of Christ (v. 1-
1. Paul could no longer forbear in not knowing the condition of the Thessalonians’ faith – left in Athens alone.
2. Timothy could establish and comfort Thessalonians.
a. Establish (STERIZO – for Sterix – a prop): to fix, make fast, to set.
b. Comfort (PARAKALEO – PARA – beside + KALEO – to call): calling to one’s side; consolation.
3. Man can be moved by afflictions – the means of “the tempter. “
a. Paul prepared people with warning that persecution was the lot of the Christian – now being experienced.
b. Paul’s labor could be in vain.
B. Reasons for thanksgiving over Timothy’s report (3:6-
1. Good news concerning Thessalonians’ faith and love
2. Thessalonians have good remembrance of Paul and apostles.
3. Thessalonians long to see Paul
4. Paul comforted in own distress and afflictions by receiving word of Thessalonians’ faith.
a. Paul lives if Thessalonians stand
C. Paul cannot give God enough thanks for the Thessalonians (3:9-
1. Joy too great to give enough thanks
2. Paul prays night and day exceedingly to see Thessalonians in person and perfect their faith.
D. Paul’s purposeful prayer for the Thessalonians (3:11-
1. For God to direct Paul unto the Thessalonians
2. That Thessalonians’ love would increase and abound:
a. toward one another.
b. toward all men.
c. as Paul’s love abounds toward Thessalonians.
3. That Thessalonians’ heart be established unblameable:
a. before God.
b. at the coming of the Lord Jesus with all his saints.
QUESTIONS:
1. Paul was in ___________________ when he sent __________________ to see about the Thessalonians.
2. What two things was this person to do for the Thessalonians?
3. Paul was primarily concerned about the ________________________ of the Thessalonians.
4. Unto what are we appointed as Christians?
5. Considering chapter one and three, show that one is in error for believing the elect can never be lost:
6. Does “the tempter” use MEANS to accomplish his will?
7. Where did Timothy and Silas come to Paul with news about Thessalonians?
8. What four things did Timothy report about the Thessalonians?
9. What effect did the report have regarding Paul’s own circumstances?
10. Paul declared, “Now ________ ____________________ if you stand fast in the Lord.”
11. Paul’s great joy over the Thessalonians’ faith caused him to:
a. give thanks to Timothy for his work.
b. give thanks to God.
c. not able to render unto God enough thanks.
d. a & b
e. b& c
12. Why did Paul want to see the Thessalonians in person?
13. To whom does God want the expression of our love to abound?
14. What is “the end” or goal of every Christian?
15. Who are the “saints” who will come with Jesus?
I THESSALONIANS – LESSON 5
I. PAUL ENCOURAGES THESSALONIANS TO “WALK” BECOMINGLY (4:1-
A. Thessalonians to abound in their walk (4:1)
1. Paul gave them instruction on “how” to walk.
2. They were “so” walking.
3. They were to “abound” more and more.
B. Thessalonians to walk becomingly by abstaining from fornication (4:2-
1. Obligated to do so by the authority of the Lord
2. God wills sanctification.
3. Each one must know how to control the desires of the body.
a. In sanctification
b. In Honor
4. Not like the Gentiles who know not God
5. Must not wrong a brother in committing adultery
6. God calls us to sanctification – not uncleanness.
7. To reject Paul’s instruction is to reject God – Holy Spirit
C. Thessalonians to walk becomingly by abounding in love (4:0-
1. They have been taught to God to love one another
a. Manifested in Macedonia
2. Exhorted to abound in love more and more
D. Thessalonians to walk becomingly before the world (4:11-
1. Study to be quiet.
2. Do own business.
3. Work with hands.
a. Have need of nothing
b. not a burden to the world.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is meant by the word “walk” in our lesson?
2. We are not only to walk according to God’s instructions but ____________________ in them.
3. From verses 1-
4. Define the following:
a. fornication:
b. sanctification:
c. vessel:
5. What is commanded of us regarding each of the above?
6. Did the Gentiles regard FORNICATION a sin? Why?
7. By doing what sin, do we wrong a brother?
8. In rejecting Paul’s teaching on holiness, whom are we rejecting?
9. In verses 9-
10. What does it mean to “study to be quiet?”
11. How does being busy in working present a favorable impression upon the outside world?