Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as Teaching Minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is America's bestselling inspirational author with more than 140 million products in print. Visit his website at MaxLucado.com Facebook.com/MaxLucado Instagram.com/MaxLucado Twitter.com/MaxLucado

Auszug. © Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

BOOKS OF 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Nelson Impact

Contents

How to Study the Bible..........................................ivIntroduction to the Book of 1 Thessalonians.....................viiLesson 1 True Transformation....................................1Lesson 2 The Question of Motives................................11Lesson 3 When Hell Breaks Loose.................................21Lesson 4 Encouragement..........................................31Lesson 5 Personal Purity........................................41Lesson 6 The King Is Coming!....................................51Lesson 7 The Christian's Survival Kit...........................61Introduction to the Book of 2 Thessalonians.....................70Lesson 8 The Upside of Trouble..................................71Lesson 9 The Great Deceiver.....................................81Lesson 10 Standing Strong.......................................91Lesson 11 The Importance of Intercession........................101Lesson 12 Work..................................................111

Chapter One

TRUE TRANSFORMATION

REFLECTION

It's been said that the only two certainties in life are death and taxes. But we could add another item to that list-change. Think about it. Nothing in this world stays the same. Emotions vacillate. Relationships fluctuate. Material things deteriorate. Look at your own life and record some of the primary things that are different from ten years ago.

SITUATION

Paul and Silas were led by God to proclaim the good news of Christ's love in Thessalonica (see Acts 17:1-9). Many responded enthusiastically. However, when persecution forced these missionaries to depart abruptly, Paul wrote at the first opportunity. His intent? To commend the Thessalonians for their faith and to encourage them to continue to show and tell the gospel.

OBSERVATION

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 from the NCV or the NKJV.

NCV

1 From Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

To the church in Thessalonica, the church in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.

2 We always thank God for all of you and mention you when we pray. 3 We continually recall before God our Father the things you have done because of your faith and the work you have done because of your love. And we thank him that you continue to be strong because of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

4 Brothers and sisters, God loves you, and we know he has chosen you, 5 because the Good News we brought to you came not only with words, but with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with sure knowledge that it is true. Also you know how we lived when we were with you in order to help you. 6 And you became like us and like the Lord. You suffered much, but still you accepted the teaching with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. 7 So you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Southern Greece. 8 And the Lord's teaching spread from you not only into Macedonia and Southern Greece, but now your faith in God has become known everywhere. So we do not need to say anything about it. 9 People everywhere are telling about the way you accepted us when we were there with you. They tell how you stopped worshiping idols and began serving the living and true God. 10 And you wait for God's Son, whom God raised from the dead, to come from heaven. He is Jesus, who saves us from God's angry judgment that is sure to come.

NKJV

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

EXPLORATION

1. Take three minutes to reread the history of the "founding" of the church at Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9). How does their beginning compare with the history of your church?

2. What do Christians mean when they speak of "repenting" and "being converted"?

3. New Testament Christians seemed to face much more suffering and persecution than modern-day North American believers. Why?

4. What does it mean to present the good news "with power, with the Holy Spirit" (v. 5 NCV)?

5. Which is more important and why: a transformed character or a rock-solid reputation?

INSPIRATION

Here is (dare I say it?) the greatest miracle of God. It is astounding when God heals the body. It is extraordinary when God hears the prayer. It is incredible when God provides the new job, the new car, the new child. But none of these compares to when God creates new life.

At our new birth God remakes our souls and gives us what we need, again. New eyes so we can see by faith. A new mind so we can have the mind of Christ. New strength so we won't grow tired. A new vision so we won't lose heart. A new voice for praise and new hands for service. And most of all, a new heart. A heart that has been cleansed by Christ.

And, oh, how we need it. We have soiled what he gave us the first time. We have used our eyes to see impurity, our hands to give pain, our feet to walk the wrong path, our minds to think evil thoughts. All of us need to be made new again.

The first birth was for earthly life; the second one is for eternal life. The first time we received a physical heart; the second time we receive a spiritual heart. The first birth enabled us to have life on earth. The second birth enables us to have life eternal. (From A Gentle Thunder by Max Lucado)

REACTION

6. What were the circumstances surrounding your own conversion?

7. What prompted you to listen to the messengers who first explained the gospel to you?

8. What are the unmistakable signs that Christ has made you a new creature-that the Spirit of God lives in you?

9. In what specific ways do you feel that you are an example to other believers?

10. When others discuss your faith, what do you suspect they say about you, about God, about the church?

11. What areas of your life do you sense God's Spirit prompting you to look at?

...