1 Thessalonians: Hoping in Christ's Return

Paul founded the Thessalonian church during his second missionary journey but was forced to leave due to persecution (Acts 17:1-10). After brief ministries in Berea and Athens (Acts 17:10-34), he sent Timothy to check on the Thessalonians (3:1-5), then moved to Corinth for eighteen months (Acts 18:1, 11). When Timothy rejoined Paul, he brought mixed news: the Thessalonians were growing in faith, love, and endurance (1:3, 6, 2:14, 3:6), but faced severe persecution (3:3-4), attacks on Paul's character (2:1-12), concerns about deceased believers and whether they would miss the second coming (4:13-18), uncertainty about Christ's return and whether they would experience judgment (5:1-11), and laziness due to misunderstandings about the end times (4:11-12, 5:14). In response to these, Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians. In it, Paul praised the Thessalonians for their virtues (1:3), defended his ministry (2:1-12), clarified the second coming-which is mentioned in every chapter, as it's the epistle's major theme (1:10, 2:19, 3:13, 4:15-16, 5:23)-and urged them to pursue sanctification, including sexual purity (4:3-4), mutual love and respect (4:9-10, 5:12-15), and meaningful worship (5:16-22). This letter encourages us to hope in Christ's return and live holy and loving lives until he arrives. Let's explore it together with the Bible Teacher's Guide.

"The Bible Teacher's Guide ... will help any teacher study and get a better background for his/her Bible lessons. In addition, it will give direction and scope to teaching of the Word of God. Praise God for this contemporary introduction to the Word of God."
-Dr. Elmer Towns, Co-founder of Liberty University