The Bible Study Reading PlanSample

THESSALONIANS

AUTHOR:

The two letters to the Thessalonians were written by the apostle Paul. Silas and Timothy were present during the writing, but the doctrine was all his.

DATE:

Paul wrote the first letter to the Thessalonians around AD 50 to 51 while in Corinth and the second letter was sent just a few months later.

AUDIENCE:

The Thessalonians were a group of new believers who didn't get much formal training from Paul. They were both Jew and Gentile and had been brought up under pagan worship. We know that they were already persecuted for their faith and were being sent false letters from "Paul" in order to sway them from the truth.

Where was Thessalonica?

Thessalonica was at the northernmost part of the Aegean Sea, and it was also along the Egnatian Way on land. It was in one of the best spots possible for starting a church in hopes of its message being spread all over the Greco-Roman world. Business flourished there because of its location. It was definitely the place to be.

Paul visited Thessalonica on his second journey after being led there by the Holy Spirit. We saw that story in Acts when the Holy Spirit blocked them from going to Asia, but Paul saw a man in his dream that told him to go to Macedonia. Thessalonica just so happened to be the capital city of Macedonia during the Roman empire.

A little while after establishing the church in Thessalonica, Paul was working in Corinth when he received a support letter from the Thessalonians. This first letter to the Thessalonians is in response to their gift.

FIRST LETTER

REASON:

Paul wrote to encourage them to press on in their faith, to not listen to the false accusations against him and to keep working hard until the Second Coming.

THEME:
In expectation of Christ.

KEY VERSE:

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (5:23 ESV)

SPLIT:

Praise (1-3), Encouragement (4-5)

KEY WORDS/PHRASES:

Gospel, Faith, Hope, Day of the Lord