This first messages sets up the series, describing the founding of the church and looking at why Paul is so grateful for this group of believers and the way they live their faith out.
(1 Thessalonians 1:1-10)
SERMON OUTLINE
“Paul, Silas and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.” (1 Thessalonians 1:1)
An Introduction to 1 Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:1)
- Timing, authorship, and provenance of the letter
- Connections with Paul’s ministry as recorded in Acts
- The rationale for this series and the exploration of “hope”
Paul’s Gratitude for Their Faith, Love, and Hope (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)
- Paul is grateful
- Paul is grateful for their faith, love, and hope
- An exploration of their endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
A Description of the Thessalonians’ Hope-filled Living (1 Thessalonians 1:4-10)
- They have hope because they have been chosen by God through the Gospel (1:4-5a)
- They have hope that echoes the apostles with resilience amidst suffering (1:5b-6)
- They have hope that serves as a contagious example to others (1:7-8)
- They have hope that lets go of idols to grab ahold of Jesus until He returns (1:9-10)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What gives you hope? What is it that keeps you going day after day in life?
- This weekend we begin a new series, “Hope Rising,” based in Paul’s letter known as 1 Thessalonians. Begin your study in prayer by asking God to speak to you through His Word, and then, whether you’re on your own or with a group, read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 aloud.
- As the letter begins, what stands out to you in verse 1?
- Why do you think it might have been helpful to the recipients of this letter to be reminded of “grace and peace” they’ve received from God?
- Verses 2-3 outline reasons that Paul is grateful for the Thessalonian believers. What do you notice here?
- Why do you think might be the significance of the connection between their endurance and their hope at the end of verse 3?
- With verse 4, Paul describes the nature of their faith. What do you notice about their faith as described in verses 4-6?
- Paul goes on in verses 7-8 to describe how their faith impacted others? What happened?
- Who are some of the people you know whose faith in Christ might ring out as an example to others? What is it about their faith that makes you say that?
- The passage concludes with a stark turning from idols to Jesus as Lord. Why is this significant?
- What is one thing God is revealing to you through this study? If you’re on your own, write that down, pray over it, and share it with someone this week. If you are with a small group, share your answers with one another before closing in prayer.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize Hebrews 10:24-25.
- Set aside space and time this week to read the entire letter of 1 Thessalonians in one sitting. Notice what words or themes you see recurring throughout the letter.
- Watch the Bible Project video, “1 Thessalonians”