(Our Reforming Groups Bible studies are designed to be inductive, using the COMA form of study: Context, Observation, Meaning, Application). For more on this method, check out this article.)

By way of introduction: Does it matter what you love? Why?

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

1. We can find out about the context of this letter from Acts 17:1-15. What happens there that helps us understand why Paul (and Silvanus and Timothy) writes his letter to them?

2. How is Paul and his fellow-elders love for the Thessalonian Church expressed in this chapter?

3. In verse 6 Paul recalls how the Thessalonians became Christians and were discipled. Describe the key components of how that happened from this verse and using previous context.

4. We see something powerful happen (1 Thessalonians 1:5) in verses 9-10, and many scholars suggest this would have been an early church creed that ends up being quoted by Paul here. What is the powerful testimony of the Thessalonians church?

5. Why do people love idols (false gods) more than God? Does it matter?

6. God has said a lot about love in the Bible (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Leviticus 19:18), Jesus reiterates how beautiful such love could be in our world (Matthew 22:34-40) - why don’t we love like this, and love idols instead?

7. When we fail to love well, and look back at idols, how does Jesus change everything for us?

Pray for our church, that the Lord Jesus would comfort us in our suffering, and prepare our hearts for suffering.