Sermon Notes
How did Paul share Jesus in Thessalonica?
1. He taught from the O.T. Scriptures that the expected Messiah had to suffer, die, and rise from the dead. (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Zechariah 12:10)
2. He told them about Jesus of Nazareth and the story of His birth, life, death, and resurrection (4 Gospels)
3. On the third Sabbath, he put the first two points together and declared that this Jesus is the Christ. The Jesus of History and the Christ of the Scriptures was the same person. (4 Gospels)
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul…
4. Praises the Thessalonians for enduring external trials (verse 2)
5. Praises God for them experiencing Divine power (verses 4-5)
6. Honors them for becoming models to the other believers. (verses 6-10)
7. A higher perspective of life begins with Jesus.
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
1. What do we learn about the Thessalonians from Acts 17:1-9?
2. As you read Acts 17:1-4, how did Paul go about sharing Jesus to the people at Thessalonica? How could his approach influence our conversations in sharing Jesus with people today?
3. As you read 1 Thessalonians, how did their new perspective of God affect their life and the people around them? How has Jesus affected/is affecting your perspective on life?
4. In verse 3, Paul talks about their work and labor in their new faith. What do you think Paul is referring to?
5. Which of the qualities in verse 3 do you most wish to see develop in your life right now?
Taking it Home:
Get the devotional on 1 Thessalonians this week and begin to go through this amazing letter.