This coming Sunday, January 26th, we will be starting our new book study through 2 Thessalonians. This is a short three chapter book that we will be spending seven weeks in. The believers in Thessalonica were a religious minority facing violent persecution. In Paul’s first letter to them (1 Thessalonians), that we covered this past fall, he encouraged the Thessalonians in their faithfulness despite the hardship they were facing. However, in the second letter we see that the problems Paul addressed in his first letter have gotten worse. Persecution has intensified and the people are still confused about the return of Christ. In the three chapters of 2 Thessalonians Paul is out to provide hope despite their persecution, clarity on the day of the Lord, and give a challenge to those who are living an idle life. We see in this book that what we hope for shapes how we live. 2 Thessalonians, despite being a short book, is full of prayers, and it is our prayer that as we go through this book together God will inspire in us a hope that fuels our faithfulness in everyday life despite our circumstances. Please be praying for God to work on us, in us, and through us, in this study. Below is a short video that gives an overview of 2 Thessalonians to help you prepare for our new series. So looking forward to going through this book together!
Jake
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Here is a video from the Bible project on 2 Thessalonians to help you get familiar with the book.