2 Thessalonians 1

What does it say?

What does it mean?

How does this apply to our lives?

• Paul greets the Thessalonians (v1)

-Paul is writing to the Thessalonians on behalf of the mission team that had previously gone to Thessalonica

-Paul is continuing to stay invested in the life and ministry of the church at Thessalonica through prayer and written communication

a. How do you stay invested in the life and ministry of First Southern Baptist Church or missionaries overseas?

b.  What are somethings you can do to improve how you stay in touch with other believers at home and abroad?  What are some tools you can utilize to help you stay informed and connected?

• Paul exhorts the Thessalonians and reminds them of the grace and peace that comes from God(v2)

-We must remember that Jesus is Lord and He alone has the power to extend grace to us and give us peace

-We must depend on Jesus for peace

a.  What can you do to remind yourself to depend on Jesus for peace?   

b.  How does depending on Jesus grace give us peace?

• Paul is proud of the Thessalonians perseverance in the faith(v3-4)

-Paul thanks God that the Thessalonians have continued to fight and haven’t fallen

-The faithfulness of a few is an encouragement to many

-The faithfulness and perseverance of the Thessalonians is a testament of God’s redemptive work in the lives of the Thessalonians

a.  How do you use your testimony to encourage fellow believers to persevere in faith?

b.  Is your current testimony something you’d want to share with someone else?  

c.  How is the hero in your testimony? Who is glorified in your testimony?

• Paul encourages the Thessalonians to continue the fight of faith(5-6)

-God will deliver justice to the persecuted

-Those who are persecuted for the sake of Christ will be made righteous

a.  How does knowing that God delivers justice to the persecuted help you deal with the injustice you might experience as a believer?

b.  Do you suffer as a Christian? What has following Jesus cost you?

c.  How does the testimony of persecuted Christians in other regions of the World help us keep perspective and the right attitude about injustice we encounter?

• Paul reminds the Thessalonians of their future hope(5-10)

-Persevere through suffering because Christ will give you justice

-The children of God will find rest in Christ

-The enemies of God will be judged by the Lord

-The enemies of God will be forever separated from God

-When Christ returns He will be glorified and His people will rejoice

a.  How does someone rest in the hope he  has in Jesus?

b.  According to this passage what are somethings we can look forward to?

c.  How do these “hopes” help us persevere?

• Paul tells the Thessalonians what he’s praying for them(11)

-Paul reminds the Thessalonians that the power of God is essential for spiritual life

-We can’t live worthy of God’s call without the supernatural empowerment of the Holy Spirit working in our lives

a.  What lifestyle habits will help us depend on the Holy Spirit to live worthy of the call?

• Paul points out what will happen when the Thessalonians persevere in faith(12)

-God will supply the needs of His people so that His people glorify Him

-It is only by the grace of Jesus that we can take part in being one with the Father and Son.  

a.  In what ways can you grow more confident in your relationship with God? How do you trust Jesus more?