(Our Reforming Group Guides 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: What has been the most surprising thing that has happened to you?

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

1. Paul clearly does not want the Thessalonians to be uninformed about the day of the Lord, because he knows these truths bring comfort.  What last day truth has he already encouraged the Thessalonians with in 4:13-18?

2. What two analogies does Paul use to describe the day of the Lord and how do they contribute to our understanding?

3. Paul then uses several contrasts to point out two types of people (v 4-9). Fill in the table and discuss what picture Paul is painting in these contrasts.

4. Is Paul teaching the Thessalonians that they ought not sleep?! What does he mean by ‘keep awake and be sober’?

5. As you read v8, does this kind of language sound familiar to you? Where else in the Bible do we see it, and what does it mean?

6. How does our identity as ‘children of the light’ (v5) and those who ‘belong to the day’ (v 8) shape the way our life ought look?

7. We have escaped a destiny of wrath and instead face a destiny of salvation. How could we use these words to encourage one another?

Pray for one another of Reforming, and for friends of Reforming, that we would be ready for Christ’s return and “belong to the day” today.