1 Thessalonians
1:2–5
Thinky says you need to read these verses carefully!
We often think faith, hope, and love are feelings. But Paul says they are things we have to do.
- What kind of work does faith produce? Think about all the things that you do. That is your work! Now think about how all of those things show or should show your faith.
- Why does love lead to service? How do you show that you love people?
- What is your hope? How does your hope give you strength to continue believing in Jesus?
2:3–7
Paul tells the Thessalonians that he didn’t do the following things when he was with them.
- He didn’t teach lies.
- He didn’t take people’s money.
- He didn’t try to persuade people to follow him.
The only thing Paul wanted to do was to teach them about Jesus. He did it so that they would become Jesus’ followers. And his work was successful because the Thessalonians believed in Jesus.
2:7, 11–12
Paul loved the Thessalonians just as a mother and father love their children. Talky asked his friends some questions about parents.
What does a mother do? Read verse 7.
What does a father do? Read about it in verses 11–12.
Talk about the things fathers and mothers do to show that they love their children.
2:19–20
Paul told the Thessalonians about Jesus. Now they are Paul’s hope and joy.
When the Lord Jesus comes back, they will be like a crown on Paul’s head. He is happy that they believe in Jesus. And he is proud of them because they remained true in their faith.
Crafty says this. Think of things you can do to help people to believe in Jesus. Then do one of them!
4:13–14
Have you ever been sad because somebody died? We often miss those people for a long time.
Paul also writes about people who are missing loved ones. He reminds them that Christians who die are with Jesus in heaven forever.
Write a letter to someone you miss. Tell that person how you feel.
Then draw a face on your letter to show your feelings.
Look at Hearty’s color chart on page 19. Find the color that matches your feeling.
4:16–18
What is going to happen when Jesus comes back? The leader of the angels will announce the day. And you will hear a blast from God’s trumpet.
Then Jesus is going to come down from heaven. He will gather his children and take them with him to heaven. They will be with him forever.
Although we are sad at a funeral, we can encourage one another. We can help one another think of the day when Jesus returns. And we can talk about how joyful that will be. We can even tell one another that we will be in heaven with Jesus. And that will be forever!
5:17
Arty believes that Christians should never stop praying.
Write Never Stop Praying at the top of a piece of paper.
Draw a large heart on the page.
Write the names of the people you want to pray for inside the heart.
Decorate your heart. Keep it where you will see it every day. That way you will be reminded to pray for them.
1 and 2 Thessalonians
Paul writes about Jesus’ second coming. We know a few things about that day, but nobody knows when it will happen. That is going to be a big surprise.
For everybody who believes in Jesus, it’s going to be a wonderful day.
For those who don’t believe in him, it’s going to be a terrible, fearful day.