College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
1 Thessalonians 3 - Introduction
I THESSALONIANS, CHAPTER THREE
(1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13)
Chapter Topic:
Paul's Current Dealings with The Thessalonians
When I could no longer forbear, I sent Timothy unto you, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2
CHAPTER THREE BEGINS AT 1 Thessalonians 2:17
Perhaps it looks as if we have a lot of nerve to say that chapter three should begin at 1 Thessalonians 2:17. But if we regard the Chapter s as being rather complete and unified discussions of one particular topic, then we should by all means include 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 along with the material in chapter three. 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 is plainly a part of the same subject matter that Paul writes more about in chapter three.
Notice in the outline of chapter three how that the material in 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10 all flows together into one discussion of Paul's Current Dealings With The Thessalonians:
III.
Paul's current dealings with the Thessalonians; 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10
1.
Paul's desire for personal visit hindered; 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10
2.
Timothy sent; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
3.
Joy upon Timothy's return; 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10.
THINKING THROUGH THESSALONIANS
I Thessalonians, chapter three (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13)
Chapter TopicPaul's Current Dealings With the Thessalonians
1.
Paul had been taken from the Thessalonians for a short time in _____________________ but not in _____________________. 1 Thessalonians 2:17
2.
What had Paul endeavored to do? 1 Thessalonians 2:17 _____________________.
3.
Who prevented Paul from coming unto them? 1 Thessalonians 2:18. _____________________.
4.
The Thessalonians were Paul's _____________________, and _____________________, and
_____________________ of rejoicing. 1 Thessalonians 2:19
5.
The Thessalonians were Paul's hope, etc., in the _____________________ of our Lord Jesus at his _____________________ 1 Thessalonians 2:19
6.
The Thessalonians were Paul's _____________________ and _____________________. 1 Thessalonians 2:20.
7.
Where was Paul when he decided it would be good to be left alone? 1 Thessalonians 3:1 _____________________.
8.
Whom did Paul send back to Thessalonica to establish them? 1 Thessalonians 3:2 _____________________.
9.
Paul desired that they would not be moved from their faith by these _____________________. 1 Thessalonians 3:3
10.
Unto what are we appointed? 1 Thessalonians 3:3 _____________________.
11.
When Paul was with them, what had he told them would happen? 1 Thessalonians 3:4. _____________________.
12.
When Paul could no longer forbear his fears for the Thessalonians, he _____________________ to know (about) their _____________________. 1 Thessalonians 3:5
13.
By whom did Paul fear that they might have been tempted? 1 Thessalonians 3:5. _____________________.
14.
If they had yielded to temptations, Paul's labors could have been _____________________. 1 Thessalonians 3:5
15.
Were the tidings from the Thessalonians good or bad? (Circle which.) 1 Thessalonians 3:6
16.
Timothy brought back tidings of their _____________________ and _____________________. 1 Thessalonians 3:6
17.
True or false (circle which)The Thessalonians wanted to see Paul again, just as he wanted to see them. 1 Thessalonians 3:6
18.
True or false (circle which)Timothy's report from Thessalonica distressed Paul. 1 Thessalonians 3:7
19.
True or false (circle which)When Paul wrote this letter, he was in pleasant circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 3:7
20.
In 1 Thessalonians 3:8, Paul said, Now we _____________________ if ye _____________________ in the Lord.
21.
Was Paul able to express his thankfulness for the Thessalonians? 1 Thessalonians 3:9, Yes or no. (Circle which)
22.
What was Paul praying that he might get to do? 1 Thessalonians 3:10. (2 answers) _____________________________________________________________________; ___________________________________________________________________________
23.
True or false (circle which)Paul considered the faith of the Thessalonians to be complete. 1 Thessalonians 3:10
24.
To whom did Paul address his prayer? 1 Thessalonians 3:11. (Two answers) _____________________; _____________________;
25.
Paul prayed that the Lord would direct _____________________ unto you. 1 Thessalonians 3:11
26.
Paul prayed that God would make to increase and abound in what? 1 Thessalonians 3:12 _____________________.
27.
The end (or object) of Paul's prayer was that the Lord may _____________________ your _____________________ unblameable in _____________________ before God. 1 Thessalonians 3:13
28.
At what time are we to be before God, even our Father? 1 Thessalonians 3:13, ____________________________________________________.
29.
Who will be with Jesus when He comes? 1 Thessalonians 3:13 _____________________.
30.
Memorize 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13.
I THESSALONIANS, CHAPTER THREE (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13)
Chapter Topic, Paul's Current Dealings With the Thessalonians
Outline
I.
Paul's current dealings with the Thessalonians; 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10
A.
Paul's desire for personal visit hindered; 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
1.
Paul's desire to see them; 1 Thessalonians 2:17
2.
His efforts hindered; 1 Thessalonians 2:18
3.
How much the Thessalonians meant to Paul; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
B.
Timothy sent; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
1.
Paul remained at Athens alone; 1 Thessalonians 3:1
2.
Timothy sent to establish and comfort them; 1 Thessalonians 3:2-5
a.
So that no man would be moved by afflictions; 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4
(1)
We are appointed unto afflictions; 1 Thessalonians 3:3
(2)
Paul had warned them of afflictions; 1 Thessalonians 3:4
(3)
They knew afflictions had occurred.
b.
So that Paul could know of their faith; 1 Thessalonians 3:5
(1) Lest the tempter had tempted them.
(2) Lest his labor had been in vain.
C.
Joy upon Timothy's return; 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10
1.
What Timothy reported; 1 Thessalonians 3:6
a.
Their faith and charity.
b.
They had good remembrance of Paul always.
c.
They desired greatly to see Paul again.
2.
Paul's reaction to Timothy's report; 1 Thessalonians 3:7-10
a.
Comforted; 1 Thessalonians 3:7
b.
Caused to live; 1 Thessalonians 3:8
c.
Too thankful to express his joy; 1 Thessalonians 3:9
d.
Praying to see them again; 1 Thessalonians 3:10
Conclusion; The apostle's prayer for the Thessalonians; 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
1.
That God would direct his way unto them; 1 Thessalonians 3:11
2.
That their love would increase and abound; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
a.
Toward one another and all men; 1 Thessalonians 3:12
b.
Abound as Paul's love abounded toward them; 1 Thessalonians 3:12
c.
Purpose of this petitionthat their hearts would be established unblameable; 1 Thessalonians 3:13
You should NOW memorize the topic of this chapter, and the three main points (A, B, and C) under it, and their Scripture limitations.
THOUGHTS FROM THE OUTLINE
Of I Thessalonians, chapter three
Paul's dealings with the Thessalonians AFTER he left Thessalonica show the feelings of a true man of God toward his converts after he has departed from them. They never cease to be upon his heart. He will do anything possible to help them remain true to the Lord, and he has no greater joy than to hear news of their continued faithfulness and spiritual growth.
Christians should realize that it is a great grief to a minister whom they may love, if they do not remain true to Christ when he has gone away from them.
DID YOU LEARN?
(Questions over I Thessalonians, chapter three)
1.
What is the chapter topic of chapter three (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10)?
2.
Why have we included 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 with the chapter topic of chapter three?
3.
What is the title of the section, 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20?
4.
What had Paul endeavoured to do after being driven from Thessalonica? (1 Thessalonians 2:17)
5.
Paul was separated from the Thessalonians in presence, but not in what? (1 Thessalonians 2:17)
6.
Who had hindered Paul from doing what he desired to do? (1 Thessalonians 2:18)
7.
What four things were the Thessalonians unto Paul? (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)
8.
When would the Thessalonians be Paul's crown of rejoicing? (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
9.
What is the Greek word which is translated coming? (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
10.
What is the section (or paragraph) 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 called in the outline?
11.
Whom did Paul send to Thessalonica for him? (1 Thessalonians 3:2)
12.
Where was Paul when he sent him? (1 Thessalonians 3:1)
13.
What two things was this man to do for the Thessalonians? (1 Thessalonians 3:2)
14.
Unto what are we appointed as Christians? (1 Thessalonians 3:3)
15.
What had Paul told the Thessalonians while he was still with them would happen? (1 Thessalonians 3:4)
16.
Paul was mainly concerned about the ____________________ of the Thessalonians. (1 Thessalonians 3:5)
17.
Who did Paul fear had tempted them? (1 Thessalonians 3:5)
18.
What effect would there have been on Paul's labor if the Thessalonians had yielded to temptation? (1 Thessalonians 3:5)
19.
What is the section 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 called in the outline?
20.
With what does Part One of I Thessalonians close? (See outline)
21.
Give the Scripture limitations of this conclusion.
22.
Where did Timothy and Silas come to Paul? (1 Thessalonians 3:6)
23.
What four things did Timothy report about the Thessalonians to Paul? (1 Thessalonians 3:6)
24.
How long after Timothy brought his report from Thessalonica was it before Paul wrote I Thessalonians? (1 Thessalonians 3:6)
25.
What effect did Timothy's report have on Paul? (1 Thessalonians 3:7)
26.
Paul declared, Now ___________________ if you stand fast in the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 3:7)
27.
Was Paul fully able to express his thanks for the Thessalonians? (1 Thessalonians 3:9)
28.
For what two things relating to the Thessalonians did Paul pray that he might be permitted to do? (1 Thessalonians 3:10)
29.
Was the faith of the Thessalonians perfect? (1 Thessalonians 3:10)
30.
When was Paul's prayer request to visit the Thessalonians granted? (1 Thessalonians 3:10)
31.
To whom does Paul address his prayer in 1 Thessalonians 3:11?
32.
Paul prayed that the Thessalonians might increase in what? (1 Thessalonians 3:12)
33.
Toward whom was this increase to be shown? (1 Thessalonians 3:12)
34.
What did Paul pray would be established unblameable in holiness? (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
35.
When would these be established unblameable? (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
36.
What other expression means the same as saints? (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
37.
Who are the saints who will come with Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
38.
Write out, or recite, from memory 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13. It begins, And the Lord make you to.