1 & 2 THESSALONIANS STUDY 7

Looking ahead – ready for Christ’s return 1 Thess. 4:13-5:11

Introduction

It’s amazing how much Paul managed to teach the Thessalonians in the few short weeks that he was with them. Obviously there had been gaps in his coverage; that was why Timothy was sent back (3:1-5). Even so, Paul wanted to make another visit if he possibly could to build them up still further (3:10). One area which needed more explanation was Christ’s second coming, and in this section he seeks to remove some fears and increase their hope.

The immediate cause for writing these verses appears to be the fact that since Paul’s departure some of the believers had died. Their relatives were worried about what had happened to them. Their Greek/pagan background held out no hope for an afterlife. So they needed to know the Christian position.

Paul fills in for them the important details. Follow them through:

1. There’s hope! (vs. 13-18)

a. In what way do non-Christians grieve (v.13)? What are the reasons behind this? How would you try to help/comfort a non-Christian who had lost a non-Christian loved one?

b. In what way should believers grieve the passing of a believing relative? Is it important to express grief?

c. What, then, is the difference between grief by those who have no hope and grief in a believing family?

Think, too, about the position of Christians who lose unbelieving loved ones. How can we minister to them?

d. How is it possible for believers also to experience a sense of joy and hope in these

Circumstances? Think about the implications of v.14.

e. What steps does Paul set out here which take place when the Lord returns (vs. 15-17)?

f. What, to you, are the most important or precious experiences connected with the Second Coming? Share these thoughts together as a group.

g. In what ways does Rom. 8:18-25 confirm and add to Paul’s teaching in 1 Thess. 4:13-18?

h. Think also of the implications of Phil. 3:20,21 and 1 John 3:2,3.

2. Be ready! (5:1-11)

a. How wold you respond to someone who said, ‘Christ’s return is a myth. He’ll never come back. We must just concentrate on making the world a better place.’? Think about vs. 1-3.

b. Look at vs. 4-11 again. In the light of what they state, what does Paul mean by saying we must be ‘alert and self-controlled’?

i. ‘Alertness’ has to do with attitudes – being wide awake. What should we be alert to? Think of Paul’s references to night and darkness? How does 2 Tim. 3:1-9 illustrate this? Note, too, Mark 13:32-37.

ii. ‘Self-controlled’ has to do with activity. How are Christians to behave as they wait for Christ’s coming? What guidance so vs. 7, 8 give us?

The reference in v. 8 to the Christian armour reminds us of Eph. 6:10-18. It might be helpful just to read this passage through to absorb once more the kind of self-controlled people God wants us to be as we wait for His Son.

c. Note the twofold reference to encouragement (4:18; 5:11). What do you find encouraging in the promises of the return of Christ? And how can we ‘build each other up’ (v.11) with these truths?