Sunday School: The Word of God

Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!

Next week, we will be at the Washington County Agricultural Fair for the 11 am church service.

When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns with each other. If you have prayer requests to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, use this prayer to get started. ​

God of grace, we pray for those who are suffering and in pain today. We pray especially for those around the world who, in addition to the normal difficulties of life, have chosen to follow Christ, even though it means persecution and violence for them. Strengthen them and encourage them by your word. For we ask it in Christ’s name. Amen.

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This week's lesson is on 1 Thessalonians 2:13 - 3:5. 

Lesson context
Scholars believe the epistle that we call 1 Thessalonians was the first of the 27 New Testament books to have been written. Although the Gospels record events that happened earlier, they were probably written at least a decade after this letter.

Thessalonica was (and is) a Macedonian port city where Paul founded a church during his second missionary journey. His visit was controversial (Acts 17:1-9). The commotion Paul stirred up was so intense that he had to escape by night. (17:10). 

The city was on an important trade route and prospered as a result. Those of Greek, Roman and Jewish heritage constituted its population. Paul and Silas had entered the synagogue in Thessalonica and argued from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. They ultimately persuaded some Jews and many Gentiles (Acts 17:1-4). Other Jews in the city became envious of Paul and Silas’ success. They persuaded the governing authorities to persecute the residents who believed in Christ. While the church in Thessalonica grew, it continued to face challenges in terms of persecution. Paul wrote this letter to comfort and encourage the believers in their trials.

Thanksgiving (2:13-16)
Paul tells the Thessalonian Christians that he thanks God continually that they accepted  Paul and Silas’s message as the the word of God, which it is. Today we identify the Bible as the word of God, as it is as well. That is, we acknowledge that it has a divine origin. However, the 27 books of the New Testament had not yet been written when Paul began his missionary journeys. Instead, Paul’s oral testimony was God’s word to them.

Paul notes that the word of God is “at work in you who believe.” Vital to their salvation and sanctification was not simply their belief in the message but also their response to that message. His original hearers, recognizing the supernatural origin of his message, responded fittingly.

Paul acknowledges that the choice to follow Christ has brought them suffering, which might have been a cause for discouragement. Instead, Paul encourages them by relating that, in suffering, they were following “in the exact footsteps of the churches of God in Judea,” who were persecuted by their own people just as these Christians were being persecuted by theirs. Not only that, but Jesus was put to death, and before that, the prophets were killed for speaking the word of God. Paul and Silas were also driven out.

Paul’s point is that suffering for hearing, believing and speaking the word of God is not the exception but the rule. Therefore, it should give them assurance, comfort and encouragement to know they are not alone.
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A small group of Jewish leaders had orchestrated the death of Jesus, just as a small group of Jewish leaders had incited the people of Thessalonica and influenced the local officials to persecute the new believers, ultimately leading to Paul and Silas’ nighttime escape. Paul writes that this opposition to God and to anyone who hinders their agenda makes them culpable. By doing so, they “heap up their sins to the limit.” Therefore, Paul says, the wrath of God has come upon them — which may include future punishment but mainly refers to what was happening at that time.

Encouragement (2:17-3:5)
Paul and his companions had to escape the mob violence and leave the church at Thessalonica, but that did not mean they forgot about the people of that church. His stay was little more than two weeks, which was very short compared to the time he often spent with churches. Therefore, he had an intense desire to return.

In fact, Paul writes that he wanted to return again and again, but Satan prevented it. It is unclear exactly how that happened, but some have speculated that the missionaries fell ill while others believe the city leaders may have forbidden them from entering the city.

Paul’s teaching did not always yield an abundant harvest of new believers, but despite opposition he and his companions did have many successes. The people that came to believe through their ministry would be their hope, their joy and their crown before Jesus when he returns, and Paul writes that he counts the Thessalonians among them.

According to the book of Acts, Paul and Silas then traveled 45 miles to Berea, but they were forced out of that town as well. The Jews who had opposed them in Thessalonica went as far as to follow them there and to stir up opposition. Therefore, Paul and his companions traveled south to Athens, accompanied by an escort of new Berean Christians who offered protection along the way. It seems that Paul, who formerly persecuted and threatened Christians, is now being pursued in the same way.

When they could not stand to think about the new Christians in Thessalonica being left alone without anyone to nurture and encourage them in their faith, Paul sent Timothy instead. Timothy could also carry Paul’s correspondence to the people. Paul often trusted Timothy with special tasks. It was not Paul’s first choice, but it was the best he could do under the circumstances.

Paul reminds them again that trials and persecution are to be expected for those who follow Christ. However, he also knows that Christians who suffer severe trials before their faith has had a chance to take root and deepen may find it difficult not to give up and turn back. Satan had been hindering him so much through the efforts of the Jewish leaders in Thessalonica that he feared what they might be doing to the Christians who remained there. He wanted to learn how they were standing up against such opposition, which is another reason why he sent Timothy there.

Conclusion
Suffering is part of the Christian life. But sometimes, we fall into the habit of dealing with suffering alone. We think we need to just grit our teeth and bear it. While God does call us to endure suffering, God does not ask us to suffer alone. Paul talks more about suffering for Christ than anyone else in the New Testament. Yet his solution was not telling people to buck up but to encourage them. Because the church is Christ’s body, we share in each other’s sufferings (1 Corinthians 12:26). By encouraging one another, we can help bear the burdens of our brothers and sisters in Christ (Galatians 6:2). We will also keep sufferings from becoming temptations, leading one another away from following Christ.

Prayer
Father, help us to seek and comfort the discouraged in our midst. Let their burdens be ours as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Questions for discussion

• How do you handle situations when your plans or desires are thwarted or delayed? 

• James 4:13-17 says that Christians should not make plans as though they are written in stone. Instead, because we know that are brief and uncertain, our plans should always be with the understanding that they will only happen if it is the Lord’s will. How does that inform your answer to the first question?

• How do you find hope and joy in the midst of difficult circumstances?

• What situations of frustration or weariness have you recently experienced in your own life?

• How can you resist temptations that would draw you away from Christ?

• Why is it important to encourage and support other believers who are also facing temptations?

Benediction

Next week's lesson will be on 1 John 3:1-10.