much space in this short epistle to defend his ministry Just what the apostle said about himself is the main subject of chapters and Review the threefold ministry of Paul to the Thessalonians, as shown on Chart 90 Observe the following in the Bible text: Ministry in person (1:2—2:16) Observe the repeated pronoun “you” in chapter 1, and “we” (referring to Paul) in chapter Both chapters are Paul’s testimonies What are his main points? Ministry in absentia (2:17—3:13) Paul regrets that he cannot be with the Thessalonian Christians in person for the time being What two things does he for them? Ministry by epistle (4:1—5:28) At 4:1 Paul begins especially to exhort the Thessalonians concerning their behavior in daily living Paul never wrote a letter without appealing for Christian conduct that magni ed Christ and pleased God The apostle here reminds the Thessalonians that he had earlier instructed them about these things when he was with them Now, he writes, “keep on” living in that way, but “doing still better” (4:1, Berkeley) Healthy Christian living is not static; it is always dynamic Christians are to keep growing, moving, abounding As someone has said, “There is no nality in practical holiness while the Christian remains on the earth.” VI THEME, KEY WORDS AND VERSES FOR THESSALONIANS How would you identify the theme of Thessalonians? Observe the theme identi ed on Chart 90 as a title Note the key words and verse shown also on the chart Compare these with your own choices made on the basis of your survey VII APPLICATIONS FROM THESSALONIANS Paul’s rst letter to the Thessalonians abounds in practical applications Re ect on the things you have learned here about the following: the comfort and hope of Christ’s return endurance in affliction faithful Christian service maturing as a Christian VIII REVIEW QUESTIONS ON THESSALONIANS On what missionary journey did Paul rst visit Thessalonica? Name two nearby cities evangelized about the same time What was the strategic location of Thessalonica? Describe the average Thessalonian in Paul’s day What was the religious situation in Thessalonica when Paul arrived at the city? What were the main points of Paul’s rst sermons in the synagogue? What were the results of this ministry? Where was Paul when he wrote Thessalonians? Why did he write the letter? Name some prominent subjects in this epistle What are some of the letter’s characteristics? When did Paul write Thessalonians, as compared with his other epistles? 10 What key doctrinal passage appears in this letter? 11 Where does the second division of a ... has said, “There is no nality in practical holiness while the Christian remains on the earth.” VI THEME, KEY WORDS AND VERSES FOR THESSALONIANS How would you identify the theme of Thessalonians?... Observe the theme identi ed on Chart 90 as a title Note the key words and verse shown also on the chart Compare these with your own choices made on the basis of your survey VII APPLICATIONS FROM THESSALONIANS... average Thessalonian in Paul’s day What was the religious situation in Thessalonica when Paul arrived at the city? What were the main points of Paul’s rst sermons in the synagogue? What were the