1 & 2 THESSALONIANS STUDY
1
Introduction:
In this section of Acts we discover how God uses Paul to bring the Thessalonian church into being. It all happened on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:36-18:22). Check this out on a Bible atlas, and see where he’s been by the time he gets to Thessalonica. What kind of reception did he get on the way? What kept him going? What does that suggest about our outreach?
We’ll see in this study how Paul went about things and what happened as a result.
1. How to make contacts
What was Paul’s point of contact, and how did he go about presenting Christ? (see vs. 1-3). Why, do you think, did Paul normally follow this procedure?
What are the main emphases that Paul made (v. 3)? Why was his approach especially appropriate for Jewish people (2,3)? How do you rate the response after these three weeks (4)?
Imagine that Caterham had never heard of Christ, and that you arrived here like Paul and Silas. What would be the strategic ways (approaches and places) of contacting and communicating with the local people? What problems would you face, and how would you overcome them? Which of your ideas are still appropriate for us at Oakhall Church?
Remember to pray for missionaries, breaking completely new ground.
2. How to deal with opposition (5-9)
Why do some people react negatively to the gospel?
Share what you know about different forms of opposition we face in this country. How about Eastern Europe, Bolivia, Nepal, Pakistan, France, Italy, Israel, Ivory Coast, Hong Kong, Thailand? These are all areas where we have active contacts through people associated with Oakhall Church. Do we have as much information as we should have? What should we be doing about this in terms of prayer, giving and letter writing?
How about agreeing on some positive steps now?
Look at the details of what happened in Thessalonica. How does this compare with what Jesus said would happen in Mark 13: 9-13? In what ways were Christ’s words a source of strength for them?
Share how you, or someone you know of, has been encouraged when they’ve been opposed.
In the Acts, there are many examples of opposition and the believers reactions. For example, think about Acts 2:13-16 (Peter’s reply, and the results – go on right through to v.41). How do you react to ridicule?
Acts 4 records more opposition. What do we learn from Peter’s response (vs. 8-10, 13, 19, 20, 23, 24, 29, 30)?
So the Thessalonica situation wasn’t knew to Christ’s servants!
Pray together about the ways in which we should react to opposition.
3. Keep getting out the good news (v.10)
This verse is very important, as it tells us a great deal about the Thessalonian new believers. How long had they probably been Christians? What is significant about their sending Paul and Silas on to Berea while the opposition was raging?
If you were a new Christian and already suffering persecution how would you view those who had brought you to Christ: blame them? Ask for their further help and advice? Expect them to sort out those who oppose you? Or send them off to share the gospel with others? (v.10). So what kind of people were the Thessalonian Christians? Of course, Paul had prepared them for trouble (1 Thess. 3:3,4), and he made sure they weren’t left on their own for long (1 Thess. 2:17- 3:2). We’ll be thinking about this in a later study.
Perhaps a major lesson to learn is that opposition must never be allowed to stop us getting out the good news to as many as possible. Pray about this also.