L L esson 1 Why I Want to Study the Thessalonian Epistles June 6, 2010 Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians

I.Introduction to Lesson 1 A.Why study 1 and 2 Thessalonians? 1.It is profitable – it is in the Bible. 2.We’ve never studied it before. 3.It deals with the last days, Second Coming B.A nagging question: Why does Acts lead me to expect the church at Berea to thrive, when it is the Thessalonians who seem to succeed? C.Our approach 1.Trace the history of the churches at Thessalonica and Berea in Acts. 2.Compare Luke’s account of the birth of the churches with Paul’s epistles. 3.Identify reasons to study Thessalonians.

II.Paul’s first two missionary journeys A.The first missionary journey (Acts 13-14) B.The second missionary journey (Acts 15:36- 18:22) 1.Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-35) 2.Paul and Barnabas separate (15:36-41) 3.Timothy joins Paul at Lystra (16:1-3) 4.Forbidden to speak in Asia (16:6) 5.Not permitted to enter Bithynia (16:7) 6.Paul’s Macedonian vision at Troas (16:8-10) 7.Luke added at Troas (“we” – 16:10ff.)? 8.A church is planted at Philippi (16:11-40). 9.Luke seems to remain in Philippi (16:40).

III.How the gospel came to Thessalonica A.The capital of the province of Macedonia B.100 miles from Philippi (along Via Egnatia) C.Paul at synagogue for 3 Sabbaths D.Paul employed his usual method (17:2). E.Results: 1.The conversion of many a.Some Jews b.A great multitude of God-fearing Gentiles c.A number of leading women d.(Aristarchus & Secundus -- 20:4; 27:2) 2.Jewish jealousy/Jason charged/posts bond 3.A midnight departure to Berea (17:10)

IV.How the gospel came to Berea A.Fifty miles southwest of Thessalonica B.Not on Egnatian Way C.Paul went to the synagogue. D.These Jews were more noble-minded. E.Results 1.Conversion a.Many Jews believed b.Many Greek men c.A number of prominent Greek women 2.Opposition by Thessalonian Jews a.Paul sent away – goes to Athens, then Corinth (where Thessalonians written) b.Silas and Timothy remained behind

V.Comparing Thessalonians with Luke A.Things I’ve learned from Luke 1.Why Paul encouraged Christians to remain single (1 Cor. 7:6-8, 25-35) 2.Why Paul rightly objected to taking Mark along (Acts 15:36-41) 3.Open and closed doors – persecution is not necessarily a closed door 4.The times of the Gentiles draws near 5.Paul’s synagogue method (17:2) 6.The opposition of unbelief: How unbelievers seek to use the government’s power to suppress Christianity and oppose the gospel.

B.What is unique to Thessalonians? 1.Down memory lane, for 3 chapters (Paul’s conduct and their conversion through the work of God) 2.Review of issues already dealt with – “you already know” 11 times or more in 1 Thessalonians (Fee, p. 7) 3.Paul’s great affection for the Thessalonians 4.Three main areas of application a.Sanctified sex (4:3-8) b.No sponging (1 Thes. 1:9; 2 Thes. 3:8) c.The second coming and its implications (1 Thes. 4:13— 5:11)

C.What I hope to learn from Paul in Thessalonians: 1.Lifestyle evangelism from Paul the evangelist 2.Loving leadership from Paul the servant leader 3.Missionary methods from Paul the missionary 4.Business as mission 5.The power of the gospel in the face of persecution 6.Why the church at Thessalonica thrived and the church at Berea disappeared Copyright © 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 1 in the series, Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for June 6, Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.