Page 85 - New Testament Survey Student Textbook

Ch. 3:13 reminds us that God uses every situation to bring us to conformity into Christ’s image, and we
go through means that God is using to prepare us for Christ’s coming.
Ch. 4:13-18 is one of the most joyful, and most comforting passages in the Bible. It helps us realize that
in Christ we are never lost, neither in life nor in death!

Paul urges his audience to be sober and attentive to the circumstances around them (1 Thess. 5:6, 8).
What surrounding circumstances do you need to consider more closely?

Near the end of the letter, Paul gives a series of pointed instructions (1 Thess. 5:12–22). Which of these
commands fits with your life today? What can you do to address issues of sin in your life? How can you
receive accountability so that you can be transformed to be more like Christ, and do his work?

I Thessalonians 5:17-19: “Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you
in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.” These three commands are meant to accelerate our spiritual
maturity. The addition of the reason to the second command is what makes it unique. God wills that we
thank Him in both good and bad circumstances.

Overview of I Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians: A Call to Live in the Present

Background

Author

Internal evidence shows that Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy are the authors of 2 Thessalonians, the
same were the authors of 1 Thessalonians (2 Thess. 1:1; 3:17; 1 Thess. 1:1), Silvanus and Timothy were

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