Introduction
You are a wartime communication runner, and have been given a message with life or death significance. To deliver the message, you must cross enemy territory. At one place, you are told, you will come to a very heavily guarded bend in the road near the end of the forest path you must take. Then you must cross a bridge which is guarded by a garrison of enemy troops. When you get to those positions, although perilous, you will rejoice because you know by them that you are on the right road. So it is with Christians. When they suffer persecution for speaking the gospel, they know that they are on the right path because that is just what Jesus predicted. Persecution also brings joy to a Christian because, as Tertullian said, ""The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church."" Those who see a Christian suffer for their faith are more likely to reconsider the message someone is willing to die for. 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 speaks of how the Christians in Thessalonica suffered persecution and how they responded by believing God and speaking the gospel.
Observation
Pray
Before studying this passage of God's Word, ask Him to open your heart and mind to understand and believe what He is saying in it.
Read Focus Verses
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 and notice what it says about how the world treats God's people.
Keyword - Persecute
Highlighting the word persecution will help it stand out as the theme of this short passage.
Suffering
Mark the word persecute and any other related words in 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16.
Context
This chapter talks about the way Paul and his companions brought the gospel to these Thessalonians - not with trickery or lies or to gain financially, but with love and pure lives. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:7-16 to understand the reference to that earlier passage in verse 13.
For This Cause
Verse 13 says it is because of the things just discussed that Paul gives thanks. In your own words, what was just mentioned that would make these Christians so dear to Paul?
Giving Thanks
How much did Paul give thanks according to verse 13?
For What?
In your own words, for what was Paul giving thanks about these believers?
Whose Word
Whose word is the gospel?
Following
Whose example did these Christians follow according to verse 14?
Source
Who specifically was persecuting these believers?
First
In verse 15, who do we see was persecuted by His countrymen before these Christians were?
Who Else
Who else was persecuted by the Jews?
Summary
How are these persecutors described at the end of verse 15?
Forbidden
What do these persecutors forbid Christians to do?
Why
Why do these persecutors forbid Christians to speak the gospel?
Their End
What is the end of these persecutors?
Interpretation
God's Word
Verse 13 speaks of the gospel as the Word of God. See what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says about God's Word.
Man's Word
Hebrews 4:12 gives us insight into why it is so important that the gospel is God's Word instead of just being man's word.
God's vs. Man's Word
Why is it significant that the gospel is God's Word?
Followers
Like 1 Thessalonians 2:14 says, it can be encouraging to know you are following in the steps of other people. After speaking of many faith-filled believers from the past who believed God despite opposition, discouragement, and persecution, see what Hebrews 12:1-4 says about being encouraged by these examples.
Biblical Perspective
Philippians 1:29 offers us a biblical perspective on persecution.
All Christians
2 Timothy 3:12 tells us that Christians should expect some persecution if they are going to live godly lives.
Persecution
How do these passages tell us Christians should think about persecution?
Strangers and Pilgrims
1 Thessalonians 2:14 specifically mentions that these Christians are being persecuted by the people who are their fellow citizens. 1 Peter 3:11-12 says they have become strangers and pilgrims in this world.
Citizenship
Philippians 3:20 comforts these rejected Christians by reminding them of their new citizenship in heaven.
Home
How does persecution serve to remind a Christian of their new home?
Jesus First
John 15:20 tells us that Christians should expect persecution because they are following Jesus and He was persecuted. It is another way they follow in His footsteps.
The Prophets
Matthew 5:11-12 also speaks of the persecution of the prophets and gives us a biblical perspective on persecution which is radically different from the world's perspective.
Reward
Mark 10:29-30 explains a reason why Christians rejoice in the midst of persecution.
Response
How should Christians respond to persecution? Why?
Contrary
1 Thessalonians 2:15 says that these persecutors of Christians are opposed to all people. Notice how this contrasts with the works and nature of God's Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.
Harmony
It may seem that the mean and hostile rule the world, but who does God say is in harmony with the people around them?
Forbidden
Today's passage says that these persecutors forbid Christians to speak the gospel. See a specific example of this in Acts 4:17-20 and notice the Christians' response.
Do Not Speak His Name
See this pattern again in Acts 5:40-42.
Explained
This pattern of being even bolder to share the gospel as a result of persecution is explained in Philippians 1:13-14.
Pattern Kept
In 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 we see that the Thessalonian Christians had the same response to the persecution they faced.
Proper Response
What should a Christians' response to persecution look like?
OK?
According to these verses, why is it OK for Christians (who are to obey civil government according to many passages of Scripture) to be bold in sharing the gospel against the direct command of the government?
Personal Experience
Paul knew from personal experience that God does not take the persecution of His people lightly. In fact, Jesus counts the persecution of His people as persecution of Himself as He told Paul in Acts 9:5.
Vengeance
Hebrews 10:30-31 tells us that God will take vengeance on those who persecute His people.
Application
Prepared
How has your thinking about persecution been challenged by this study?
Bold
How does God want you to be boldly sharing the gospel whether or not you are persecuted for it?
Persecuting
Are you persecuting God's people? What are you going to do about it? God is willing to save those who persecute His people just as He saved Paul, but time for repentance is short.
Wrapup
Closing
We hope this study has challenged the way you think about persecution and has inspired you to be a bold witness for Jesus Christ whatever the cost.
Feedback
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