January 2016 1 Thessalonians Devotional Alderwood Student Ministries May 2016
ASM Devotional May 2016 1 Thessalonians Name: 1
Table of Contents Introduction: How to Study the Bible... 3 Study Schedule: Week 1, May 2-8 Day 1... 5 Day 2..... 7 Day 3... 9 Week 2, May 9-15 Day 1... 12 Day 2... 14 Day 3... 16 Week 3, May 16-22 Day 1... 19 Day 2... 21 Day 3... 23 Week 4, May 23-29 Day 1... 26 Day 2... 28 Day 3... 30 Week 5, May 30-June 5 Day 1... 33 Day 2... 35 Day 3... 37
How to Study the Bible: There are a lot of great ways to study the Bible, but this devotional will lead you through a process called RIP, which stands for Read, Interpret, and Practice. Here s what that means: Read: The question to answer here is What does this passage say? We re not yet concerned with meaning or application, we are just trying to understand what the author is trying to communicate to the original audience. In this first step, you are going to read the passage slowly, making note of any important words and phrases and anything that you don t understand at first. Interpret: The question in this step is What does the passage mean? In this step, you will be looking at the observations from step one and asking what this text means both to the original audience and to us today. What Biblical truths are being communicated? What are we being taught about God? About us? Here you want to find the answers to any questions you came up with in step 1. Practice: The last question we ask is What does this passage mean for me? Here the goal is to apply the truth of this passage to our own lives. We re not looking for general ways this may apply to someone, but very specific ways your own life will change because of what you have learned. This is where God uses his Word to transform your heart! Remember to pray and ask for God s guidance as you read and study his Word. It is the Holy Spirit that will reveal his truth to you (1 Cor. 2:10). Blessings! 3
Week 1 Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 Summary After Paul and Silas were asked to leave Philippi by the Romans, they came to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1), the largest city in Macedonia, where over 100,000 people lived. This city was a popular center for trade, since there was a harbor and many roads that met there. The city also had a synagogue for the Jews. Paul taught in Thessalonica that Jesus is the Christ. Some were persuaded by his teaching and joined Paul and Silas. Most of the Jews on the other hand, were jealous. A mob emerged from the upset Jews and other countrymen. They sought to drive Paul and Silas out of their city, so the two fled (Acts 17:3-6). 1 Thessalonians is the first of two letters that Paul wrote to the Thessalonians. He writes to supplement and complete his teaching, comfort the believers in their affliction and express his thankfulness for their faith, which he assures them has brought him great joy! The first chapter focuses on the faith and example of the Thessalonian believers. Read all of 1 Thessalonians 1 for context, then study the following portion in depth for this week s devotional. 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has come forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 4
Step 1 Read Week 1 Day 1 Hope 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 Read the passage several times and go more in depth by answering the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage say? Questions Start Here 1. Answer the WHO, WHAT and WHY questions. See page 3. Who Who is this passage talking about? Who is involved? Who is speaking? What What s the main idea of this passage? What s going on? Why Why does Paul give such thanks to God for the Thessalonians? 5
A Closer Look 2. What questions do you have as you read this text? Digging Deeper 3. Identify major themes and/or important words or phrases in the passage. Memory Verse 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you 1 Thessalonians 1:4 6
Step 2 Interpret Week 1 Day 2 Hope 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1, and answer the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage mean? Questions Start Here 1. Based on your observations in the Read step, what do we learn in this passage? A Closer Look 2. Analyze and interpret the following verses. Note the words and phrases italicized and in bold. State the intended meaning. Vs. 2-3 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. - Why do you think Paul chose to use the verbs work and labor to accompany faith and love? How should a believer work out their faith and labor in love? - What does it look like to live in the steadfastness of hope? - How did the Thessalonians demonstration of faith, love and hope make an impression on other people (1 Thessalonians 1:7-10)? 7
Digging Deeper 3. Verse 6 tells us that the Thessalonians received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:14 and Acts 17:1-9. Who was causing the affliction that Paul refers to in verse 6? What was Paul explaining to the Jews? Memory Verse 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you 1 Thessalonians 1:4 8
Step 3 Practice Week 1 Day 3 Hope 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1 and Step 2, and answer the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage mean for me? Questions Start Here 1. Have you faced affliction for your faith? If not, have you faced a conflict in your heart between sin and the Holy Spirit s conviction? A Closer Look 2. Have you responded to the gospel that came to you in word, in power and in the Holy Spirit with full conviction? (1 Thessalonians 1:5)? What is full conviction? Can you be moderately convicted? (see 1 John 1:8-10, Ephesians 5:11, 2 Corinthians 7:8-11, Revelation 3:15-16) 9
Digging Deeper 3. Recall 1 Thessalonians 1:6. The Thessalonians imitated Paul, Silas and Timothy and became imitators of Christ while doing so. If someone were to imitate you, would they be imitating Christ, also? In other words, are you allowing others to get to know Christ when they get to know you? Why or why not? Memory Verse 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you 1 Thessalonians 1:4 10
Week 2 Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Summary In this passage, Paul clearly states that the gospel and God s word is central to a Christian s faith. He defends that his ministry is the work of God, as opposed to that of false teachers who had previously come through Thessalonica. He explains that all that he is teaching and has taught is God s word, not his own and that this should create both boldness and humility in a believer. At the end of the passage, we see that he has great love for the people of Thessalonica and his eagerness to share the Gospel with them. Read the passage slowly several times, then answer the questions found in the following pages of the devotional. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 11
Step 1 Read Week 2 Day 1 Hope 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Read the passage several times and go more in depth by answering the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage say? Questions Start Here 1. Answer the WHO, WHAT and WHY questions. See page 3. Who Who is this passage talking about? Who is involved? Who is speaking? What What is the main idea of this passage? Why Why does Paul want believers to know these things? 12
A Closer Look 2. What questions do you have as you read this passage regarding our hope in Christ? Digging Deeper 3. Look at verses 3-6. Why does Paul include everything that he is not in terms of a missionary and speaker? Memory Verse 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 13
Step 2 Interpret Week 2 Day 2 Hope 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1, and answer the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage mean? Questions Start Here 1. Based on your observations in the Read step, what does this passage teach us about our hope and boldness in Christ? A Closer Look 2. Imagine if you were a person in the church at Thessalonica hearing Paul s letter for the first time, what would stand out or be surprising to you? 14
Digging Deeper 3. Make a list of the qualifications of an authentic missionary for Christ, giving the qualification and the verse that it is found in. Memory Verse 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 15
Step 3 Practice Week 2 Day 3 Hope 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1 and Step 2, and answer the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage mean for me? Questions Start Here 1. How will your life be different because of what you learned this week about our hope in Christ? A Closer Look 1. Do you more closely relate to the description of Paul or of the false prophet? 16
Digging Deeper 3. What specifically can you do to more closely match what Paul describes as an authentic missionary for Christ? Memory Verse 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 17
Week 3 Text: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Summary The Thessalonians were Paul s hope, joy, glory and crown of boasting (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). He longed to revisit the believers in Thessalonica. Paul feared that Satan would tempt the Thessalonians into leaving the faith. When he couldn t bear this thought any longer, he sent Timothy to establish and exhort them in their faith so that they would not be moved by their afflictions (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3). The passage below is Paul s response to Timothy s encouraging report about the Thessalonians steadfastness of faith. Paul wrote this letter while he was being afflicted in Corinth (Acts 18:5-6 & 12). He was provided with comfort as he endured the affliction because of the good news he received about the Thessalonians. Read all of 1 Thessalonians 3 for context, then study the following portion in depth for this week s devotional. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? 11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. 18
Step 1 Read Week 3 Day 1 Hope 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Read the passage several times and go more in depth by answering the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage say? Questions Start Here 1. Answer the WHO, WHAT and WHY questions. See page 3. Who Who is this passage talking about? Who is involved? Who is speaking? What What s the main idea of this passage? What s going on? Why Why is Paul encouraged by Timothy s report about the Thessalonians? 19
A Closer Look 2. What questions do you have as you read this text? Digging Deeper 3. Identify major themes and/or important words or phrases in the passage. Memory Verse 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 20
Step 2 Interpret Week 3 Day 2 Hope 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1, and answer the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage mean? Questions Start Here 1. Based on your observations in the Read step, what do we learn in this passage? A Closer Look 2. Recall 1 Thessalonians 1:3. How does this verse differ from 1 Thessalonians 3:6? Why do you suppose that hope is not mentioned here? 21
Digging Deeper 3. What kind of affliction was Paul facing when he received word back from Timothy (1 Thessalonians 3:6) about the good news that the Thessalonians had kept the faith (see Acts 18:5-6)? How does this background knowledge help you understand how the Thessalonians faith fueled Paul s joy and increased his encouragement amidst his present affliction, opposition and revilement from the numbers of people who denied him and the gospel? Memory Verse 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 22
Step 3 Practice Week 3 Day 3 Hope 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1 and Step 2, and answer the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage mean for me? Questions Start Here 1. In what ways can you apply what you learned in your study of 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 to your own life? A Closer Look 2. Paul sent Timothy to the Thessalonians in fear that the tempter, Satan, would have tempted the Thessalonians out of their faith (1 Thessalonians 3:5). To his great joy, the Thessalonians faith had not been wavered. Satan tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11) and he tempts Christians (1 Peter 5:8). How does God s Word tell us to resist the temptation of the evil one (Ephesians 6:10-20)? Are you facing temptation with this armor? If not, how can you practically begin to do so? 23
Digging Deeper 3. Pray that the Lord would make you increase and abound in love for one another so that he may establish your hearts as blameless in holiness before our God and Father (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13). Memory Verse 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 24
Week 4 Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 Summary So far in 1 Thessalonians, Paul has reminded the Thessalonians about the hope we have because of Jesus and he has told the Thessalonians he is pleased because of the way they have been living in response to that hope. Now, he encourages them to live in a godly way all the more as they continue to be sanctified.* *Sanctifiaction: the process of being made holy by God and resembling Jesus more and more. Read the passage slowly several times, then answer the questions found in the following pages of the devotional. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. 25
Step 1 Read Week 4 Day 1 Hope 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 Read the passage several times and go more in depth by answering the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage say? Questions Start Here 1. Answer the WHO, WHAT and WHY questions. See page 3. Who Who is this passage talking about? Who is involved? Who is speaking? What What is God s will for the Thessalonians? Why Why should the Thessalonians care about sanctification? 26
A Closer Look 2. What questions do you have about our hope and sanctification as your read this passage? Digging Deeper 3. Read through this passage and underline every place where Paul describes sanctification. Make a list below: Memory Verse 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 27
Step 2 Interpret Week 4 Day 2 Hope 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1, and answer the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage mean? Questions Start Here 1. Based on the observations in the Read step, what does this passage teach us about our hope and sanctification as followers of Christ? A Closer Look 2. If you were on of the Thessalonians who received this letter for the first time, what would be surprising to you about Paul s instructions? 28
Digging Deeper 3. If someone in this church asked Paul what he thought God s will was for their life, what would Paul s response be? Memory Verse 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 29
Step 3 Practice Week 4 Day 3 Hope 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1 and Step 2, and answer the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage mean for me? Questions Start Here 1. How will your life be different because of what you learned this week about our hope and sanctification as followers of Christ? A Closer Look 2. What would Paul s specific instructions about sanctification be to you in your life right now? Where do you need to grow in holiness? 30
Digging Deeper 3. How can this passage help you determine what God s will is for your life? Are the answers in this passage satisfying? Why/why not? Memory Verse 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 31
Week 5 Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Summary In chapter 5 Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers of their identity as children of light, and on the basis of their identity encourages them to live lives marked by faith, hope and love as they await the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ the day of the Lord. In calling them children of light, Paul is speaking of their salvation, namely their rescue from the darkness of sin and God s wrath. They now have life with God (and will have life) because of their faith in the crucified Savior, Jesus Christ, and as a result are called to encourage and build up one another in the present. These verses are hugely applicable for Christians today. How should followers of Jesus live as they await the return of Christ? May we be marked by faith, hope and live and consistently encourage one another towards these things for the glory of Christ Jesus! Read all of 1 Thessalonians 5 for context, then study the following portion in depth for this week s devotional. 1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, There is peace and security, then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 32
Step 1 Read Week 5 Day 1 Hope 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Read the passage several times and go more in depth by answering the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage say? Questions Start Here 1. Answer the WHO, WHAT and WHY questions. See page 3. Who Who is this passage talking about? Who is involved? Who is speaking? What What s the main idea of this passage? What s going on? Why Why does Paul use the imagery of light and darkness? 33
A Closer Look 2. How does the surrounding context, the verses that surround our passage, help us to better understand what takes place in 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11? Digging Deeper 3. Identify major themes and/or significant words or phrases in the passage. Memory Verse 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5.8 34
Step 2 Interpret Week 5 Day 2 Hope 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1, and answer the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage mean? Questions Start Here 1. What does this passage teach us about the day of the Lord? A Closer Look 2. Analyze and interpret the following verses. Note the words and phrases italicized and in bold. State the intended meaning. Vv. 4-6 (4) But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. (5) For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. (6) So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. - What is being symbolized here by darkness and light, night and day? Who is represented by these opposing images? See Colossians 1.13-14 and 1 John 2.9-11. - What particular action or actions is Paul calling for in vs. 6? Be careful to read vs. 6 in light of the verses that surround it. (Hint: See vs. 8). Vs. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 35
- What is the significance of Paul using the imagery of putting on battle armor to describe the character and behavior that is to mark followers of Jesus as they await His glorious return? - Define the three traits mentioned in vs. 8. See Ephesians 6.10-20. Digging Deeper 3. According to vs. 10, what is the purpose of Christ s death on the Cross? What is our heavenly hope? Memory Verse 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5.8 36
Step 3 Practice Week 5 Day 3 Hope 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1 and Step 2, and answer the questions below. The goal of this step is to answer the question, What does this passage mean for me? Questions Start Here 1. In what way or ways can you apply what you learned in your study of 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11 to your own life? A Closer Look 2. What s one thing you can praise God for in this passage? Write out a sample prayer. 37
3. How are you currently encouraging and building up your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? If you re not, list 3 ways that you can encourage and build up other believers? Next, commit to encouraging and building up 3 fellow followers of Christ this week. See Hebrews 10.24-25. Digging Deeper 4. Write out your explanation of this passage below in 2-3 sentences. How might you use this passage to share the gospel with an unsaved friend or family member? Commit to sharing your findings with one believer and one unbeliever this week. Memory Verse 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5.8 38
Contributors: Pastor Wyatt Martin Pastor Chris Taylor Jacey Carrier alderwoodchurchfamily.org