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1 Thessalonians 4

  1. What are all the things that Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to do in verses 1-12?

  2. From verses 1, 3, and 10 we see that Paul urges the Thessalonians to put on holiness more and more and to put off impurity less and less as is the command from God (verse 7). This process that the Holy Spirit works in us is called sanctification. Describe the severity of this matter of putting off impurity and putting on holiness (see verses 6 and 8).

  3. In verses 9-12 Paul tells the Thessalonians that he knows of their love they have for each other and encourages them to do this more and more. In verses 11-12 Paul urges the Thessalonians to do a few things, what are they? What do these things mean for you in your life today? Read Ephesians 4:28 for context on working with your hands as mentioned in verse 11.

  4. Read Acts 3:32-35, how does 1 Thess 4:12 relate to this passage? What does Paul want us to do?

  5. We believe in a pretribulational rapture which means that at the second coming of Jesus believers will be “raptured” into the clouds and the 7 years of tribulation will begin, after which, Jesus will return to the earth and build his millennial kingdom.

    There are a few select verses that either provide context or are about the “rapture” but the word “rapture” is never mentioned in the Bible. Read these verses for extra context on the rapture: 1 Cor 15:51-53 and these verses for context on Jesus coming to earth after the 7 years of tribulation:, Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 1:7. Now read 1 Thess 4:13-18 and keep in mind that it is describing the rapture.

  6. It was mentioned in the 1 Thess intro but why is Paul writing about the rapture here?

  7. Summarize the order of events from verses 15-17 and where they take plane.

  8. In verse 18 Paul tells the Thessalonians to encourage one another with the words of these verses. How have these verses encouraged you and how can you use them to encourage others?