1. powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com Adult Bible Study Guide Jul Aug Sep 2012 Adult Bible Study Guide Jul Aug Sep 2012

2. Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide An Appeal Dear User…. This PowerPoint Show is freely shared to all who may find it beneficial. While intended primarily for personal use, some find it useful for teaching the lesson in church. There are those, however, who add illustrations, change background, adjust font size, etc. While their intention may be good, this is not right. Slide #1 says “designed by claro ruiz vicente.” For honest Christians, it is not necessary for another’s creation to be copyrighted in order to be respected. P LEASE U SE A S I S.

3. Jon Paulien, Principal Contributor

4. 1 The Gospel Comes to Thessalonica 2 Preserving Relationships 3 Thessalonica in Paul’s Day 4 Joyous and Thankful (1 Thess 1:1–10) 5 The Apostolic Example (2:1–12) 6 Friends Forever (2:13–3:13) 7 Living Holy Lives (4:1–12) 8 The Dead in Christ (4:13–18) 9 Final Events (5:1–11) 10 Church Life (5:12–28) 11 Promise to the Persecuted (2 Thess 1:1–12) 12 The Antichrist ( 2:1–12) 13 Keeping the Church Faithful (2:13–3:18) 1 and 2 Thessalonians Contents

5. 1 and 2 Thessalonians Our Goal {5} We’ll get a glimpse into the life of an early Christian church and see some of the struggles and challenges that it faced, including the difficulties that arose from the fact that Christ had not yet returned.

6. 1 and 2 Thessalonians Lesson 2, July 14 1 and 2 Thessalonians Lesson 2, July 14 PreservingRelationships

7. 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20 NKJV “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.” Preserving Relationships Key Text

8. Preserving Relationships Initial Words {19} Paul held a three-week series of evangelistic meetings in Thessalonica. It incited opposition from local religious leaders and from a gang of thugs. Paul was finally expelled by the city council.

9. Preserving Relationships Initial Words {19} It would have been easy after such an experience for Paul to focus on the opposition and on other obstacles along the way. Instead, Paul’s mind was focused primarily on the relationships that he had developed with members of the new Christian community in Thessalonica.

10. Preserving Relationships Quick Look 1. Relationship Cut by Opposition (Acts 17:5-10) 2. Relationship Uncut by Distance (Acts 17:10-15) 3. Relationship Revealed in Letters (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20)

11. Preserving Relationships 1. Relationship Cut by Opposition Acts 17:5, 10 NKJV “But the Jews…becoming envious, took some of the evil men…and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason and sought to bring them out. Then brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.”

12. 1.Relationship Cut by Opposition Jealousy and Envy {20} When someone preaches new teachings and people get excited, the leaders and teachers of other religious groups may become jealous. Attention that was once placed upon them is now directed to others. They may behave in irrational ways in order to try to reduce the influence of the new teacher.

13. Conflict arose among the Jews of Rome over a man Suetonius calls “Chrestus.” This term probably reflects a Roman misunderstanding of the Jewish concept of the Messiah, or, in Greek, “the Christ.” Apparently someone’s preaching of the gospel had just split the Jewish community of Rome. 1.Relationship Cut by Opposition Jealousy and Envy {20}

14. Debate over the Messiah sounded like preparation for the installation of a new king. The emperor expelled all Jews from his capital city. 1.Relationship Cut by Opposition Jealousy and Envy {20} Some exiles settled in or passed through Thessalonica, bringing knowledge of these events. Religious leaders were determined to prevent something similar from happening there.

15. Preserving Relationships 2. Relationship Uncut by Distance But…Jews from Thessalonica…stirred up the crowds. … So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens.” Acts 17:11-15 NKJV “These [Bereans] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica,…received the word with all readiness, and search the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. …

16. 2. Relationship Uncut by Distance Episode in Berea {21} While the Bereans listened with much openness, they also tested everything they heard from the apostles on the basis of what they found in their own study of the Old Testament. We can be open to new ideas, but we must always test these ideas on the basis of the teachings of the Bible.

17. 2. Relationship Uncut by Distance Interlude in Athens {22} Paul does not simply enter Athens, march up to the Areopagus, and engage the philosophers there. He begins by spending some time walking around and making his own observations. The first step in any missionary effort is to listen and learn about the faith and worldviews of the people you are trying to reach.

18. 2. Relationship Uncut by Distance Arrival in Corinth {23} Paul must not have been satisfied with the outcome of his encounter with the philosophers of Athens, for in Corinth he decides to take a more direct approach to the Greek mind. The process of meeting people where they are is not an exact science; it requires constant learning and adjustment.

19. Preserving Relationships 3. Relationship Revealed in Letters 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 NKJV “But we…having been taken away from you…in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face…. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.”

20. 3. Relationship Revealed in Letters Paul Reveals His Heart {24} Paul rejoices at Timothy’s report that they have a good opinion of him and that they are longing to see him as much as he is longing to see them. Thessalonian faithfulness made a big difference to Paul. Paul’s sense of personal worth was, to some degree tied to the success of his mission. He was, after all, only human.

21. But his present joy does not squelch his intense longing to see them face to face and to complete their education in the Christian walk. Unable to be personally present with them, Paul first sends an emissary, Timothy, and then engages the Thessalonians by letter. 3. Relationship Revealed in Letters Paul Reveals His Heart {24}

22. Preserving Relationships Final Words {18} Meaningful evangelism must not settle for mere acceptance of Christian beliefs. The whole life—physical, mental, and emotional—is involved in Christian faith.