1 Thessalonians (2013)

Help! Someone is attacking and slandering me unfairly. What should I do? Listen to this lesson to learn how the Apostle Paul says we should handle unjust social opposition and rejection. Find out several ways Paul boldly refuted the false charges against him and what his goal for his congregation was. See how he explained his motivation and past conduct without anger or bitterness in genuine humily and with love.

Are you facing pressure to go along with the beliefs of co-workers, friends, and even family members in the pagan culture of our world? Listen to this lesson to learn how Paul handled the opposition and persecution he faced in the 1st century Roman world. See that he taught that we need to focus with spiritual courage and boldness on the long game and not what’s happening at the moment. In his instructions to pastors and all believers, Paul emphasized that we need to seek God’s approval and not man’s in all that we do.

What is your motivation to grow spiritually and tell others about the Lord Jesus Christ? Listen to this lesson to hear how the Apostle Paul described his motivation as he faced a chaotic, hostile world. See that our own country is experiencing increasingly evil trends and more and more people want to take Christianity out of society. Observe that the Scriptures tell us about the strength provided when we trust God and see how the truths in the Bible are being challenged. Understand that we need to be serious about our commitment to grow spiritually so we are ready to face whatever comes.

Do you find it hard to tell others what you believe about God? Listen to this lesson to see the importance of boldness and courage when witnessing. See that you will face opposition and persecution. Find out the difference between battle courage and moral courage and the ingredients that make up spiritual courage. Hear about the necessity of listening to the person you are talking to and not arguing with them. Accept that if they do not believe what you are saying you may still be planting a seed that will grow. Continue to seek opportunities to share your faith as you rely on the Holy Spirit and treat those who may be hostile with kindness and caring.

Can you name a way that God evaluates believers? Listen to this lesson to learn that God is looking for faithfulness. All believers in the Church Age have a spiritual gift which is designed to function in the local church, in our homes, and in the workplace. Find out how the Apostle Paul saw his ministry and how he first took the gospel to the Jews in the synagogues. See that he met hostility many times which led to riots and danger and suffering. Understand the role of persuasion in presenting the gospel. As we live our lives in the devil’s world, see that it demands spiritual courage as we learn the Word and walk by the Spirit.

What is your view of the future? An apocalyptic event as portrayed in movies and books? Listen to this lesson to learn about a coming seven-year period more violent and intense than anything the world has ever seen. Find out that believers will not have to go through this but will be “snatched up” or raptured to Heaven. Hear the evidence for the Rapture occurring before the Tribulation starts. Find out about different views about the timing of the Rapture and the problems associated with them. Hear about the imminency of the Rapture. As a believer, look forward every day to the Rapture in order to be spiritually prepared when Christ returns for the Church.

When was the worst time in human history? Listen to this lesson to learn that it hasn’t happened yet. Called by many names such as the Tribulation, Daniel’s 70th week, and the Hour of testing, it refers to seven years that will be horrible beyond our worst imagination. Will believers have to go through this? See how the writer of this passage selected words that mean that those who have trusted in Christ as their Savior will be taken out or raptured before that time begins. This appearing of the Lord in the clouds could happen at any moment. As believers we should be in a constant spirit of anticipation for that glorious event.

Should we imitate Christians we admire? Listen to this lesson to see what it means to be a follower of someone. See how the Apostle Paul was an example to believers but he pointed out that Jesus Christ was to be our model. Find out the meaning of the wrath of God and the different time frames it refers to. See when it refers to the Rapture. If at times you feel distant from God as if He had left you, ask yourself if you are the one who has moved away from Him.

Over and over like a dog gnawing on a bone, our minds chew on problems and the evils we see all around us. Sometimes it makes us angry and at other times we envy those who seem to sail through life as they ignore God. Listen to this lesson to see how David’s Psalm shows us God’s solution to this condition. Find out how important it is to turn your focus off your troubles on to God and His promises. See what the results of committing your way unto the Lord are and find out what it means for God to give you the desires of your heart.

What do you mean saying I shouldn’t get upset? Don’t you see all the awful things that are happening in our country? Listen to this lesson to learn that Psalm 37 tells us not to get worked up over evil and injustice. Find out that we’re to accept that God has everything under control and that, although things may look bad now, God’s plan will triumph and justice will be done in God’s time. The wicked will end up getting their punishment and those who delight in God will receive the desires of their heart. Appreciate that this psalm is written in a deliberate manner with each verse beginning with a letter of the alphabet and its very cadence calms us and helps us stay focused on the assurances of God.

Help! My problems are too much for me. If this is how you feel at times, listen to this lesson to find out Biblical ways to cry out to the Lord for the help you need. Learn the importance of not focusing on the problem but to turn your attention to God’s promises. Understand the tremendous power of fear in in your life and how to move from fear to confidence in God. Remember you always have a choice when you are facing troubles, either you can surrender to fear or you can cast your care on the Lord, who promises to sustain you.

Stop! Don’t hit that panic button when life seems to be spinning out of control. Listen to this message to gain a clear understanding of fear, its origins, and the results of succumbing to fear. See how fatalistic and pagan cultures are dominated by fear that destroy motivation. Understand how an existential mindset results in dread and hopelessness. Accept that the only answer to fear is dependence upon God and trusting in His promises so you can move beyond fear with confidence and courage.

When’s the last time you caved into fear or anxiety? The Bible tells us over and over not to fear. If you’re wondering how this is possible, listen to this lesson to find the only surefire solutions to fear. See that the first thing we must do to live fearlessly is to accept Christ as our Savior. Then, as a Christian, we have to focus on the character of God. Learn about the many promises that tell us God will always take care of us no matter what is happening. Learn to relax and face life by moving toward spiritual maturity and have the assurance that we have nothing to fear in this life or the next.

Does God ever forget about us and our little problems because He’s so busy with the big concerns of the world? Listen to this lesson to learn that God knows each of us by name and never ignores us. Learn some methods and materials that will help in our personal Bible study and learn about anthropomorphisms which are used to describe God. Understand the Creator/creature distinction and how we cannot fully understand everything about God but we can rely on His promises. Accept that God always does the right thing and we can trust Him at all times.

Since Christ died for all sins on the Cross, does it mean we can sin without any consequences? Listen to this lesson to learn that one of the reasons Christians suffer is because God is disciplining us for the sins we commit after our salvation. Review five reasons Christians suffer and learn about five more. See that belief in the Bible no longer unifies western civilization causing suffering as society breaks down. Find out that angels are observing us to see how we handle our suffering. Take the opportunity to comfort others who are suffering with the same comfort God gives us during our times of suffering.

Accept Christ as your Savior and you'll never have any problems or times of suffering again. Not so fast! Listen to this lesson to learn why all Christians will suffer at times. See how bad things happen because we have sin natures and live in a fallen world. Learn that sometimes God disciplines us in the same way earthly parents discipline their children. Gain an understanding of this by learning how God brought four-fold suffering on David for his sin with Bathsheba. Accept that God is always there to help us when we are suffering and that it is for our ultimate good.

Sit on the floor. Cross your legs. Clear your mind of all thoughts and hum "OHM". Is this what the Bible means when it says to meditate? Listen to this lesson to learn that Biblical meditation is based on thinking and the content of that thinking is the character of God. See that as we understand who and what God is we find that we can always trust Him with every aspect of our life. Gain a clear understanding of what waiting on the Lord means.

"Help! O, God, help!" When things in your life are spinning out of control, is this what you pray? Listen to this lesson to learn that there's a better way to prepare for disasters. This better way is called the faith-rest drill. Understand what this means and how to apply the 3 stages. See the importance of learning Biblical promises to mix with faith. Anticipate the results as we meet the pressures and promises of life without falling apart.

After we believe Christ died for our sins on the cross, what then? How do we go on to live life as a Christian? Listen to this lesson to learn that God's Word is filled with promises that we may apply by faith to all the circumstances of life. Learn the different systems of knowledge and find that faith is a part of all of them. Memorize these promises that address many different problems we face so that when a need arises in our life, we can claim them and rely on God.

Is there more than one kind of faith? Is one supernatural and the other just ordinary, garden-variety faith? Listen to this lesson to learn the meaning of faith. See that faith is built on evidence. Understand that the object of faith is what's important and that there are different objects for salvation and living the Christian life. Find out the meaning of free grace. See that faith isn't something we do but the act of appropriating what God has done for us.

When you open a Bible are you almost overwhelmed by its complexity and vast knowledge? Listen to this lesson to learn ways to organize the contents into understandable principles. Follow a flow chart that takes a believer through the spiritual skills, beginning in spiritual childhood, moving to adolescence and on into spiritual maturity. Learn about the three phases of the Christian life and accept that testing and adversity will be a part of our experience. Rest in God's promise that we will never be tested beyond our ability to endure it and that passing these tests will result in eternal rewards.

Are you still stuck in diapers in the spiritual nursery? Or are you zooming through spiritual childhood and reaching adulthood in your Christian life? Listen to this lesson to learn that the new believers in Thessalonica were grabbing hold of the Word of God and making great strides in their spiritual lives within an amazingly short time. Measure yourself on your mastery of three valuable virtues that Paul uses to show the stages of spiritual growth. Revisit the spiritual skills that should become second nature in your life when you reach maturity.

Please note that at the beginning of the video it is incorrectly labeled 1 Thessalonians Lesson #2. This is actually Lesson #6. "Oh God, help!" Does this sound like most of your prayers because you wait until you're desperate to pray? Listen to this lesson to learn from the Apostle Paul's prayers. See the importance of turning off all the things that distract us and setting aside time to pray on a regular basis. Discover why praise and gratitude should be the foundation for all our prayers and how learning the Word of God teaches us the spiritual blessings we should praise God for. Instead of asking God only for things for ourselves, learn how to pray for others. Appreciate why we should pray to God the Father as we realize that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are both interceding for us at God's throne.

"With all I have to do every day, how in the world can I set aside time to pray?" If that moan sounds familiar to you, listen to this lesson to learn the importance Paul placed on prayer and how he continually found time in his hectic life to offer prayer both day and night. Hear several prayers of his and apply them to your own prayer life. Learn about Nehemiah's prayer and how the Lord Jesus Christ considered prayer such an important part of his life that he sometimes prayed all night.

When an old-fashion teakettle whistles, we need to turn down the heat. The same is true when we find pressures building up in our lives and we feel ready to blow. Listen to this lesson to learn how to handle the adversities of life from a Biblical framework. See the importance of practicing the basic habits that lead to spiritual growth. Move on to advanced spiritual practices and discover the importance of grace orientation so that even in the most tense situations in life we can have peace and calmness as we express our gratitude to God.

Time for a gratitude check! Are you near the top of the gratitude gauge or sunk near the zero? If you're too stuck on thinking about yourself to notice what God and others are doing for you, it's hard to be thankful. Listen to this lesson to see how having an entitlement mentality destroys us and our culture. See how the Apostle Paul never failed to express thanksgiving in his epistles. Discover the true meaning of grace and how it impacts our gratitude.

There's no way to sugar-coat it. Studying the Bible isn't always smooth-sailing. Listen to this lesson to grasp a series of steps to help master 1 Thessalonians. Discover both the internal and external evidence about the author, the Apostle Paul. Learn about the way of life in Thessalonica that made the contents of the book relevant. See how the theology in the letter brings comfort to believers of all ages who are under oppression and suffering.

Ready to take a tour? First you need to know where you're going and what there is to see. Listen to this lesson to get ready to take a fly-over of 1 Thessalonians and learn the background for the letter in Acts 17. Find out how the Apostle Paul points out the reality of oppression and suffering for church age believers and the importance of focusing on the Lord's return for comfort.