1 & 2 Thessalonians

Speakers: Reed Moore
Length: 3 Parts

At some point, we’ve all been handed responsibilities we haven’t been ready for. First-century Christians in the city of Thessalonica found themselves in that situation.

The apostle Paul had shared with them about Jesus, but then was forced out of town after being there only a few weeks. The Thessalonians were left with a lot of questions: Is Jesus really coming back again? When? And what does that mean for us now? How should we be handling ourselves when our culture seems to be the exact opposite of how you taught us to follow Jesus? How do we deal with all the persecution we’re facing?

In two letters, Paul cheered on his friends and told them more about Christ’s second coming and how to conduct their daily lives. He gave them plenty of advice that still applies to Jesus followers today.

Part 1: How People Change

For people to really change, they must have unwavering belief that they’re loved and accepted—regardless of their past, failures, or shortcomings. In this session, we’ll see evidence of Paul’s approach to the Thessalonians, where he demonstrated love and authenticity while maintaining clarity of thought and instruction.

Part 2: Ready or Not

We can all relate to the feeling of being unprepared and at the same time wanting to avoid mistakes. That’s how the Thessalonians felt when Paul had to leave them after just a few short weeks. In this session, we’ll see how Paul addressed the Thessalonians’ questions about sex, work, and the afterlife.

Part 3: In the Meantime

From high levels of persecution to hearing conflicting teachings about the return of Jesus, the Thessalonians were trying to follow Jesus in the middle of very difficult circumstances. In his second letter to these new converts, Paul emphasized the importance of perseverance, explained why Christians should be the least judgmental people in the world, and stressed how critical it was for everyone to play a part in the community.