3 Are there many personal references? Did you sense any particular tone or atmosphere in the letter? Does Paul seem to have one speci c purpose in writing? What are your personal impressions of the book? B PARAGRAPH SURVEY Read the letter again, a little more slowly Begin to underline words and phrases that strike you as you read Make a list of the key words and phrases, and add to the list while you continue your studies Mark paragraph divisions in your Bible, with each paragraph beginning at these verses: 1:1, 2, 6; 2:1, 7, 13, 17; 3:1, 6, 11; 4:1, 9, 13; 5:1,6, 12, 23,25, 28 Read the paragraphs, and assign a paragraph title to each What are your new impressions of the epistle? What parts stand out prominently? C OBSERVING THE STRUCTURE Now begin to see how the nineteen paragraphs (thought units) of Thessalonians merge together to communicate Paul’s message Things to look for are suggested below Introduction and conclusion Read the rst and last paragraphs of the epistle What verses would you identify as the introduction and the conclusion? Blocks of similar content Go through the epistle again, and see if you can nd any groups of paragraphs that are of similar content, of such kinds as doctrine, exhortation, personal re ections, and biography Make a note of those Turning point Sometimes a book has a turning point, such as a change from doctrine to practice Do you detect any such change in Thessalonians? High points and climax Occasionally, an epistle will reach a high point, or high points, in the course of the writing A doxology at such a place is often a clue to this Do you observe any peaks in Thessalonians? Would you say that there is a de nite climax toward the end of the epistle? If so, where specifically? A prominent doctrine Observe the references to Christ’s return at the end of each chapter What paragraphs in the epistle deal especially with this event of end times? D SURVEY CHART Chart 90 is a survey chart of Thessalonians, showing the basic structure of the epistle and outlines of various topics Study this chart very carefully Observe the following on the chart: The salutation of 1:1 and the assorted verses of 5:23-28 are viewed here as the introduction and conclusion, respectively A major division appears at 4:1, dividing the epistle into two main parts What two outlines show this twofold division? (Note: the rst word of 4:1 is “ nally,” which suggests a change in Paul’s train of thought at this point.) Review the survey study made thus far to check whether these twofold outlines represent the epistle’s general content You have already observed that Paul ... showing the basic structure of the epistle and outlines of various topics Study this chart very carefully Observe the following on the chart: The salutation of 1:1 and the assorted verses of 5:23-28... Observe the references to Christ’s return at the end of each chapter What paragraphs in the epistle deal especially with this event of end times? D SURVEY CHART Chart 90 is a survey chart of Thessalonians,... points, in the course of the writing A doxology at such a place is often a clue to this Do you observe any peaks in Thessalonians? Would you say that there is a de nite climax toward the end of the