Have you ever noticed that?

One of my joys is studying and teaching the Bible. I was preparing for teaching the Inductive Study Method this fall at Forerunner School of Ministry and decided to take the class through 1 Thessalonians. As I read through the book (one principle of the inductive study method is that you read through the book you are studying at least three times before you really start to go deep)...so as I was reading through, I noticed something interesting. Paul starts with an introduction and in those few verses, he lays out a blueprint of everything he is going to discuss in the remainder of the letter. Let me show you what I mean.

In 1:5 he talked about how the Gospel came to the Thessalonians. He even ends that verse with “…as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” Then in 2:1-12, He expands that and talks about how he lived before the Thessalonians and even uses parental imagery, referring to himself “as a nursing mother” (2:7), and “as a father” (2:11).

In 1:6 he talked about the conversion experience of the Thessalonians. Then beginning in 2:13 he talked about how they “received the word of God” (2:13). He then goes off onto a couple of bunny trails, but those bunny trails are really preparation for what he wants to say concerning their conversion – that it’s still good! He rejoices when Timothy reports “good news of your faith and love” (3:6). So not only were they converted, but they are still converted!

In 1:7-8 Paul was impressed that they had become “examples” because they had “turned from idols to serve the living God.” He's talking about translating the conversion experience into a lifestyle of serving God. Again, in 3:11-4:12, Paul expands that topic from the introduction to talk about their conduct. He even begins this section with a prayer that they “will increase and abound in love toward one another and to all…” (3:12) He expands that by encouraging them to live in personal “holiness” (4:7), which will expand into a lifestyle that will cause them, among other things, “to walk properly toward those who are outside.” (4:12)

Finally, in 1:12 Paul refers to the fact that they “wait for His Son from heaven…” And of course, in 4:13-11 He deals with two dimensions of the second coming that are causing them concern. They wonder about those that die before Jesus returns, and they wonder if perhaps they have maybe missed the second coming since there seems to be a delay. To both of those concerns, Paul tells the Thessalonians to “comfort one another” (4:18 and 5:11).

The concluding verses are a mix of encouragements and challenges that appear to be very spontaneous and very general such as, “abstain from every form of evil” (5:22).
In the blessing, Paul covers all the same ground one more time. He deals with himself (“pray for us” 5:25), he deals with their calling (5:24); their purity and conduct (sanctify you, etc. 5:23); and he deals with the second coming (5:23).

Have you ever noticed that? Please don't tell me, "Well, duh! Sure Tom, I saw that two days after I was saved. Where have you been?"