2: An Exemplary Church (1Thess 1:1-10)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

Paul and his fellow workers are always filled with thanks to God for the Thessalonians whenever they think of them in their prayers. Although the church in Thessalonica was established in the midst of afflictions, it was a dynamic church. In fact, it has become an example for all the other churches.

B.     Key Verse

            “remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father” (1:3).

C.     Did You Know…?

1. Silvanus (1:1) is another name for the Silas of Acts.

2. Thessalonica (1:1) was an important port city on the

Egnatian Way

, which was the principal east-west trade and military route between Rome and Asia minor. It became the capital of the province of Macedonia in 148 B.C.

3. Macedonia and Achaia (1:7) were the two Roman provinces in Greece.

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

(1:1)

(1:2-5)

(1:6-10)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

III. General Analysis

1. According to this passage, state in general terms the characteristics of an effective believer.

IV.  Segment Analysis

A.     1:1

1. Paul acknowledges Silvanus and Timothy in the salutation even though he is the author of the epistle. What does this say about Paul?

2. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” These are the typical words of Paul’s opening greetings. What does this greeting mean, and why is it important?

B.     1:2-5

3. What can we learn from verses 2-3 about the duty and the heart of a faithful minister of the gospel?

4. Paul speaks of the visible fruits of the three essential Christian qualities in the Thessalonians. Record these and explain how each relates to its corresponding quality.

4a. Faith

4b. Love

4c. Hope

5. To whom does Paul attribute the qualities of the Thessalonians?

6. List and explain the criteria of effective preaching as found in verse 5.

C.     1:6-10

7a. Under what circumstance did the Thessalonian believers receive the word? What does this say about them?

7b. What attitude did they have toward their circumstance? What made this attitude possible?

7c. Recall such kind of experience when you went through afflictions in your life for the sake of faith.

8. Note the words “became followers” (or “imitators”) in verse 6 and “became examples” in verse 7. What can we learn from the Thessalonians about Christian growth?

9a. What two things spread from the Thessalonians?

9b. How can you spread the word of God in the same way?

10. According to verses 9 and 10, what were the three important parts of the Thessalonian believers’ conversion?

11. How does verse 10 help explain the meaning of salvation?