Download HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #15 1st Thessalonians Bible Study

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #15
1st Thessalonians Bible Study Questions: Chapter 5:16-22
KJV 1
Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks: for this
is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
NAS 1
Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is
God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21
But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.
NIV 1
Thessalonians 5:16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this
is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with
contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.
(If you need to scale down the amount of work you do, consider answering the questions in
bold.)
DAY ONE
1. Read through the entire chapter in order to see this passage within its larger context. Is there a
shift in focus between verses 12-15 and the prior section? Explain.
2. Read through this passage several times. What title would you give to this passage?
3. Take time to read through at least three different translations. Are there any significant
differences that you discover? Explain.
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DAY TWO
4. Please list every command given in this section of scripture.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
5. Read through 1 Thessalonians 3:9. In what ways does this passage shed light on your
understanding of the topic of rejoicing?
In 5:16 Paul commands the Thessalonians to “rejoice always.” What would you say is significant
to note regarding this command?
What does Paul mean when he commands his readers to “rejoice always?” In other words, how
should we define the word rejoice?
What basis might the Thessalonians have for rejoicing? Are there any clues from within the
letter that help us to unpack some of the things for which the Thessalonians should rejoice?
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6. What does it mean to “pray without ceasing?” Do you find it difficult to do this? Explain. What
are some of the reasons that believers find it hard to do this? How can a believer gain victory in
this area of his life?
7. Paul commands the Thessalonians to “in everything give thanks.” Why is the topic of
thankfulness so important in the Christian walk?
DAY THREE
8. Do you ever struggle with the will of God? Do you ever struggle in knowing what God’s will is?
Please share a time when you struggled with the will of God? What did He teach you through
this?
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Suppose a new believer came to you wanting to know God’s will. What principles of scripture
would you present in order to help such a person to know God’s will? How does this passage
help one towards an understanding of God’s will?
DAY FOUR
9. Please explain what Paul means in verse 19.
What does it mean to quench the Spirit?
What are some of the indicators that a believer is quenching the Spirit?
To what degree do you think it is possible for a believer to quench the Spirit? Is there a place
where you draw a line and determine that such a person is not a believer? Explain.
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What effect does quenching the Spirit have on the believer?
What effect does NOT quenching the Spirit have on the believer?
10. What are “prophetic utterances?” Why do you think Paul instructs his readers to “not despise
prophetic utterances?” Does this command apply today? Explain.
11. How is verse 21 to be understood in light of the larger context?
12. Please provide your understanding of verse 22. What are some ways in which this might apply in
the western church today?
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DAYS FIVE THROUGH SIX
13. Read through any commentaries that you have access to in order to deepen your understanding
of this week’s passage.
14. Feel free to listen to any of the sermons (there are quite a few) on the following link in order to
enhance your understanding of this week’s passage:
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/scripture
15. In what ways did this passage minister to you personally? How would you say your life needs
to change as a result of studying through this passage?
16. Please share some of what you have learned with a friend and/or family member.
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