1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

IV. Instructions about how to live, 4:1-5:11

A. The problem of sexual immorality, 4:1-8

1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort [you] by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, [so] ye would abound more and more. beseech: or, request exhort: or, beseech

2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

discussion questions

1A. What does Paul mean when he says that we must learn how to walk? _____

1B. What is required to please God? __________

2A. Whose commandments did Paul give them? _

A. Does this include the 10 Commandments of the Old Testament? _____

B. Where do we get our commandments?

3A. What is sanctification? _______

A. Is sanctification different from salvation?

B. Are you sanctified? How do you know? _

3B. What is fornication? _________

A. Can a non-Christian commit this sin? __

B. How can one avoid this sin? _________

C. What is the difference in fornication and adultery? ______

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

discussion questions

4A. "Every one of you" places the responsibility on each person. To what extent can be blame others, society, environment, etc. for our fornication?

4B. Who is responsible for the actions of this body? _____

4C. How can we "possess" our vessel (body)? __

4D. What does sanctification and honor have to do with controlling our body? ___

5A. What is "concupiscence"? ____

A. What is lust? __________

B. "God made man with this passion, therefore he must be permitted to express it." How would you respond?

C. How does such a sin deny that we know God? ________

5B. What is the difference in know knowing God and never knowing God? _____

6 That no [man] go beyond and defraud his brother in [any] matter: because that the Lord [is] the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. defraud: or, oppress, or, overreach in...: or, in the matter

7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. despiseth: or, rejecteth

discussion questions

6A. What does it mean to "go beyond" (transgress) in this verse? _

6B. Why does Paul mention defrauding a brother? __

6C. Who is the "avenger"? _______

7A. How has God called us? Into what condition are we called? ___

A. Not uncleanness. _______

B. But holiness. __________

8A. What does it mean to "despise" in verse 8? _

8B. When we reject God we also are rejecting whom? __________