October 16–22

1 and 2 Thessalonians

“Perfect That Which Is Lacking in Your Faith”

If we do not record the impressions we receive from the Spirit, we might forget them. What does the Spirit prompt you to record as you read 1 and 2 Thessalonians?

Record Your Impressions

In Thessalonica, Paul and Silas were accused of having “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). Their preaching angered certain leaders among the Jews, and these leaders stirred the people into an uproar (see Acts 17:1–10). As a result, Paul and Silas were advised to leave Thessalonica. Paul worried about the new Thessalonian converts and the persecution they were facing, but he was unable to return to visit them. “When I could no longer forbear,” he wrote, “I sent to know your faith.” In response, Paul’s assistant Timothy, who had been serving in Thessalonica, “brought us good tidings of your faith and charity” (1 Thessalonians 3:5–6). In fact, the Thessalonian Saints were known as examples “to all that believe” (1 Thessalonians 1:7), and news of their faith spread to cities abroad. Imagine Paul’s joy and relief to hear that his work among them “was not in vain” (1 Thessalonians 2:1). But Paul knew that faithfulness in the past is not sufficient for spiritual survival in the future, and he was wary of the influence of false teachers among the Saints (see 2 Thessalonians 2:2–3). His message to them, and to us, is to continue to “perfect that which is lacking in [our] faith” and to “increase more and more” in love (see 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 4:10).

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

1 Thessalonians 1–2

Disciples of Christ serve others with sincerity and love.

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul’s words reveal both the concern and the joy of someone who has given himself wholly to serving God’s children. Especially in the first two chapters of 1 Thessalonians, you will find words and phrases that describe the attitudes and actions of a disciple of the Lord. For example, what do you learn from 1 Thessalonians 1:5–8; 2:1–13 about serving the Lord?

Think about your own opportunities to serve God and His children. What do you find in these chapters that inspires you to improve your service? Consider asking yourself questions based on what you find, such as “Am I an example of the things I know?” (see 1 Thessalonians 1:7).

1 Thessalonians 3:7–13; 4:1–12

“Increase and abound in love.”

Paul rejoiced in the faithfulness of the Thessalonian Saints (see 1 Thessalonians 3:7–9). But he also wanted them to “abound more and more” in that faithfulness (1 Thessalonians 4:1). As you read 1 Thessalonians 3:7–13; 4:1–12, ponder ways you can “increase more and more” spiritually (1 Thessalonians 4:10). For example, notice that Paul used words like “holiness” and “sanctification.” What do you learn from Paul’s writings about the meanings of these words? How can the Savior help you become more holy and sanctified?

See also Guide to the Scriptures, “Holy,” “Sanctification,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18; 5:1–10; 2 Thessalonians 1:4–10

If I am faithful and watchful, I will be prepared for the Savior’s Second Coming.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:1–10, Paul used several metaphors to teach about the time when Jesus will return to the earth. As you study these metaphors, consider writing down the impressions that come to you about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ:

• “A thief in the night”:

• “Travail upon a woman with child”:

• Other metaphors you find:

What additional truths do you learn from 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18; 5:1–10; 2 Thessalonians 1:4–10? What are you prompted to do to watch and prepare for the Savior’s coming?

See also D. Todd Christofferson, “Preparing for the Lord’s Return,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 81–84.

2 Thessalonians 2

An apostasy, or falling away from truth, was prophesied to precede the Second Coming.

Amid increasing persecutions, many Thessalonian Saints believed the Savior’s Second Coming must be near. But Paul knew that before Jesus returned to earth there would be an apostasy—a rebellion or “falling away” from the truth (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4). You could deepen your understanding of the Great Apostasy—and your appreciation for the Restoration—by pondering some of the following:

• Scriptures that foretold the Apostasy: Isaiah 24:5; Amos 8:11–12; Matthew 24:4–14; 2 Timothy 4:3–4

• Scriptures that show the Apostasy was already beginning in Paul’s time: Acts 20:28–30; Galatians 1:6–7; 1 Timothy 1:5–7

• Observations about the Great Apostasy by Christian reformers:

  Martin Luther: “I have sought nothing beyond reforming the Church in conformity with the Holy Scriptures. … I simply say that Christianity has ceased to exist among those who should have preserved it” (in E. G. Schweibert, Luther and His Times: The Reformation from a New Perspective [1950], 590).

  Roger Williams: “The apostasy … hath so far corrupted all that there can be no recovery out of that apostasy till Christ send forth new apostles to plant churches anew” (in Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom [1877], 851).

See also 2 Nephi 28; Gospel Topics, “Apostasy,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening

1 Thessalonians 3:9–13.What impresses you about the feelings Paul had for his friends? How can we “increase and abound in love one toward another”? (verse 12).

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18.What phrases in these verses about the Resurrection give you comfort?

1 Thessalonians 5:14–25.As you review Paul’s counsel in 1 Thessalonians 5:14–25, invite each family member to find a phrase that the family could focus on. Find creative ways to display these phrases in your home as a reminder. For example, each person might find or draw pictures that illustrate or reinforce the phrase he or she chose.

2 Thessalonians 3:13.Do we ever feel “weary in well doing”—overwhelmed, perhaps, with the demands of discipleship? What helps us when we feel this way? (See Galatians 6:9; Doctrine and Covenants 64:33.) How can we support each other when this happens?

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus,” Children’s Songbook, 78–79.

Improving Personal Study

Seek revelation daily. “Revelation often comes ‘line upon line’ (2 Nephi 28:30), not all at once. … Don’t think of [gospel study] as something you make time for but as something you are always doing” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 12).

Resurrected Christ, by Robert T. Barrett