I have been crushed by student evaluations before. I have also been uplifted by the encouraging things that they have written. What people think of us and say about us is frequently important to us. Paul forms a bridge with his audience by starting with the positive things that he recounts about them. They are a joy to him much like my students are a joy to me. From whom do you love to hear a report? To whom do you report?
1 Thessalonians 1, 2:19-20, 3:9
- Who are the coauthors of the letter to the Thessalonians?
- What do the authors constantly bear in mind?
- What is Paul’s hope or joy or crown of exultation?
- How would you describe the relationship of the Thessalonians with Paul?
- Who is your hope, joy or crown of exultation?
Going Deeper
Observation
- In addition to the words what else did Paul’s gospel possess?
- Who did the Thessalonians immitate?
- What words describe how the Thessalonians received the gospel?
- Where did the word go from Thessalonica?
- What is the rehetorical question of 3:9?
Interpretation
- Who are Silvanus and Timothy?
- How does Paul change the standard opening for a letter?
- What does it mean ‘his choice of you’ (1:4)?
- How is it not presumptuous for Paul to ask others to immitate him?
- How are people Paul’s joy?
Application
- What do you understand the gospel to be?
- Describe how you received the gospel?
- How has the gospel made a difference in your life?
- How is the gospel making a difference in your life?
- Who have you encouraged by telling them how the gospel is making a difference in your life?
Plymothian 