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

• What were the circumstances in which the Thessalonians were receiving the letter?
• What are some directions that Paul has given the Thessalonians that will lead to them having a settled peace in their circumstances?
• Why is Paul so insistent that this letter was personally written by him?
• What are the distinguishing marks by which the Thessalonians can know the letter was written by Paul?
• In some of Paul’s letters he directs final words to specific individuals. Who are these final words directed towards?  
• Where is Paul’s confidence as he closes this letter?

Prayerfully Meditate

• What is Paul emphasizing as he closes this letter?
• When Paul prays for peace does he seem to have in mind physical or spiritual peace or both?
• What is brought out by Paul using the title “the Lord of peace Himself”?
• Paul chooses a variety of words to focus on in the various benedictions that close his letters. (Peace, love, fellowship) Here he chooses “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Why do you think this was chosen over other options when considering the whole of this letter?
• What do these departing words tell you about Paul’s relationship with the Thessalonians?