“Where it all began...” 1 Thessalonians

 Major urban cities: Asia Minor and Greece  Follows commercial highways and trade routes (Via Egnatia)  Works with his hands by day  Preaches in the marketplaces  Sends and receives coworkers  Writes and receives letters Paul’s Pattern of Evangelism

 Paul travels one hundred miles to Thessalonica from Philippi (48-51 CE)  Chased out of town with Timothy and Silas  Seeks refuge in Corinth  Sends Timothy with letter to Thessalonians (49-52 CE)  Purpose To encourage and affirm their new life in Christ To correct misunderstanding of resurrection Date, Place, and Purpose

 Paul taught Thessalonians that Christ’s return is imminent  Some believers have died before Christ’s parousia (coming)  Paul responds: Those who have died will rise first at Christ’s coming All believers will be caught up “in the air” to welcome Christ at his coming (4:16–17) Situation in Thessalonica

 How to live (“walking in Christ”) Work for a living Exercise sexual morality Keep a low, peaceful profile with outsiders Build each other up Imitate Paul who imitates Christ Pray continuously  Family of Christ Language of brothers, sisters, parents, children  Honor and shame Shamed by neighbors, Thessalonians are honored by Paul and surrounding churches Theological Themes

 Salutation and thanksgiving (1:1–10)  Paul’s example and the Thessalonians (2:1–3:13) Pure motives, humility, sincerity Caring for believers as for Paul’s own children Thessalonians suffer and thereby imitate Paul (2:14) Paul’s separation and Thessalonians’ faithfulness  Sanctification, love, public morality (4:1–12)  Christ’s coming: hope comforts (4:13–5:11)  Final admonitions (5:12–28) Admonish idlers and encourage one another Outline