Connect Group Guide

1 Thessalonians 5


Summary: Paul spent three weeks in Thessalonica preaching the Gospel. In that three weeks people came to faith in Christ and the Church was established. However, the Gospel was making such an impact it upset many of the unbelievers and they began to persecute the Church. Paul and his team were chased out of town. Four months after leaving he sent Timothy & Silas back to check on the Church. They reported back to Paul that even in persecution the Church was thriving and their faith was known all over the region so Paul wrote back to encourage and answer questions that had been raised there. 

Major Points:

  1. (V. 1-11) The big idea here is simple: do not live like the world. We may not know exactly when Christ is going to return but we DO KNOW he is coming (and should be living accordingly). The unsaved world lives to build their own kingdom here and now so we can certainly assume they will be surprised when He returns. Paul reminds us that we are children of the light and that should change our actions & lifestyles so we aren’t “surprised” when He comes, rather we are joyful for the anticipated day of return.

  2. (V. 12-28) In light of being reminded of Chriat’s return, Paul leaves a brief list of encouragement for the Thessalonians. It’s not an exhaustive list but if we are seeking these things, other areas of your life will typically fall into place. After all of the encouragement  though, notice how Paul closes the letter in verse 23. We are reminded that no matter what we as sinful people try to do to clean up our lives and earn God’s favor, it’s God who sanctifies us. That means that God himself is the one who makes us righteous through Jesus Christ, there is nothing we could ever do ourselves to be worthy of his love. God promised salvation to those who put their faith in Christ and as Paul says “He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” 

 Question Bank: 

  1. How has your week been spiritually? / What is God teaching you?

  2. What sins are you struggling with that you need to confess?

  3. (V. 1-11) What does Paul mean by the day of the Lord?

  4. (V. 1-11) If we are children of light then why does death & the idea of Christ return worry us so much?

  5. (V. 1-11) What does it look like to anticipate and be ready for the day of the Lord?

  6. (V. 1-11) Name a few things that distract you from preparing for the day of the Lord.    

  7. (V. 12-28) In light of verse 14, what is your next step in applying these in your life?

  8. (V. 12-28) How do we “quench the spirit”?  

  9. (V. 12-28) What areas of your life is God trying to sanctify?