Our Resurrection Weekend services begin with our Good Friday Evening Gathering, March 29 at 7:00 pm, and conclude with our regular Sunday activities on Resurrection Sunday Morning, March 31!

1 Thessalonians square

Prepare your heart for the Sermon by looking through these suggestions that will assist you in making the most of our time together hearing God's Word.

You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.

Carefully Think

  • Read 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11
  • What function does the word butserve in this section? (v.4)
  • Note the reference to a thief in v.4? (see also v. 2) What does this imagery tell us about the 
  • Lords return? How will the Lords return affect the wicked vs. the righteous?
  • What does Paul mean by sleep, in verses 6 and 7?
  • What imagery is used in v.8?
  • Read Isaiah 59:17. How might this scripture have informed Pauls writing?
  • Read 5:9 in connection to 1:10. What does this text reveal about Gods wrath?
  • How does Paul use sleep in v.10? How is that usage different than v.8?
  • What function does the phrase just as you also are doing” serve in this last statement? (v11)

Prayerfully Meditate

  • Recall verses 1-3. How do those inform this section of vv.4-11?
  • Why might Paul use the word brethren in v.4?
  • Note the contrast between light and darkness in v.5. What does it meant to be sons of light’ or sons of day?
  • Look back at 1:3 and compare that to 5:8. What emphasis is the author making with this continued theme?
  • Why might Paul distinguish hope from faith and love, in v.8? (see Gal. 5:6)
  • Why might Paul offer a reminder of their salvation in v9?
  • Verse 10 further modifies 9. What do we learn about the atonement through this verse?
  • How should they be moved to respond in light of Pauls encouragement? (v.11)