1 and 2 Thessalonians Week 7

Persecution continues! (At least our study of persecution does.) Next week, we will discuss holy living.

1) In chapter 3 Paul mentioned that he sent Timothy to the Thessalonians to strenghten and encourage them in the faith. Paul was delighted to hear that the church in Thessalonica was thriving.

Let's take a moment to get to know Timothy:
-Timothy was the son of a Greek father, and Jewish mother.
-Timothy was converted while Paul was in Lystra.
-Timothy was circumcised by Paul in order to overcome barriers to his ministry to the Jews
-Timothy became Paul's "right hand man".
-Paul wrote 1 and 2 Timothy to...well...Timothy.

2)Timothy was sent to encourage the Thessalonians in their time of persecution. Is there anything that we could do to strengthen other Christians who are being persecuted?

Read the article below. It is from "The Voice of the Martyrs" website, and it describes their goals for a national day of prayer.

http://www.persecution.com/topStory_IDOP2008.html

What do you think of this?



3) Read 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

In verse 13 Paul wrote that it is important to be found blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Why is it important to be blameless if we are saved by faith alone?

First he prays that God would strengthen their hearts. He puts the emphasis on God making them holy. He is not implying that they can make themselves holy and blameless. He petitions God to purify their hearts for them.

The heart is where all of our motivations come from. If our hearts are filled with love we will serve others joyfully, and we will be blameless.


Please post any questions or comments below or you can email me @ hoffmanz@csl.edu

(I have been having problems with my other email address.)