Sharing the Faith
1 Thessalonians
Why read this book?
Though centuries old, 1 Thessalonians was written for times like ours. It speaks to a culture filled with seductive images and sexual pressures. It brings eternal perspective to discussions of material things. It questions the secular values that undermine God’s ways. If you’ve ever struggled to maintain a pure life in a freewheeling society, 1 Thessalonians provides an encouraging word: The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it (5:24).
Who wrote this book?
The apostle Paul.
To whom was it written and why?
Paul wrote to the believers in the church at Thessalonica, founded during his second missionary journey. Riots and opposition had forced him to leave them sooner than he desired. But later news of their progress encouraged Paul to write to commend them for growing in the Lord and urge them to correct some misunderstandings.
When was it written?
Possibly as early as a.d. 50 or shortly thereafter.
What to look for in 1 Thessalonians:
As you read, watch for practical ways that Christians can live holy lives in a culture hostile to Christian values. You’ll find guidelines on relationships and boundaries for living in an immoral culture. Overshadowing all this is a perspective on life that is shaped by eternity. And you’ll find exciting clues about the end times and Jesus’ second coming.
—From the Quest Study Bible (Zondervan)
1 Thessalonians: Sharing the Faith - Study 1
How to Recognize True Conversion
To partner with God in evangelism,
we must know what a disciple looks like.
To understand how to participate with God in sharing his Good News, we have to understand what a true convert looks like. Many of us have not shared the gospel frequently and therefore haven’t seen many people come to Christ, so we don’t know the marks of such a conversion. Furthermore, many of us have unbiblical ideas of conversion, such as the assumption that it occurs simply by “praying the prayer.” This study’s purpose is to identify the marks of true conversion.
Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 1
Based on:
“Sharing the Faith,” Series Builder by Jeffery Arthurs, Preaching Today Sermons
PART 1 Identify the Current Issue
The Great Commission (Matt. 28:18–20) gives Christians their marching orders: we are to partner with God in making disciples. The first step on the road of discipleship is conversion, but what does a true convert look like? How can we know if we are succeeding in sharing the faith? Using the Thessalonians as a model, this study identifies the first goal of evangelism: conversion. William Wilberforce battled slavery for decades. At last he succeeded in crushing slavery in the West Indies. On a certain day, by proclamation of the government, slavery would be officially banned. On that day, a long string of heralds was stationed on one of the islands. The heralds stood a few hundred yards apart, the first one on the highest peak. Their purpose was to announce the first ray of light of the rising sun—the start of the day when emancipation was to take effect. At last, after many hours of waiting in the darkness, the man on the mountain lifted his hands to his lips to form a trumpet and called out, “Liberty!” The next herald immediately took up the cry and soon the entire land rang with the jubilant shout, “Liberty, Liberty!” You and I stand in the long line of heralds announcing the good news that a Savior has been born who has liberated us for all time.
[Q]What do you think it means to be a disciple of Christ?
[Q]How can we know if we are truly converted to Christ?
[Q]Do you feel as though Christ has liberated you?
PART 2
Discover the Eternal Principles
Will be the topic for next month.
Now may God bless and keep you always.
