Paul tells how he and his friends were mistreated for preaching the gospel but they continued to preach anyway. Paul explained how honest and godly he and his friends were as examples for the Christians in Thessalonica to follow. Paul and his friends wanted the new Christians to walk worthy of God who had called them to be saved. Paul then praises them for following the churches of God from Judea which are in Christ Jesus. Judea was where the church was first established and all other new assemblies were in fellowship with the churches in Judea because all believers are part of one body. They did not start independent churches, but they were obedient to keep this unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Paul had tried to visit them a second time but Satan hindered him from coming to them. The Christians in Thessalonica received the gospel and were then persecuted by their own countrymen. Their faithfulness to God brought joy to Paul and his friends.
1. When Paul taught these Christians, he was as gentle as a __________. 1 Thessalonians 2:___
2. We should walk worthy of God, because He has called us to His __________ and __________. 1 Thessalonians 2:___
3. The Christians here did not start their own independent church. They were followers of and in fellowship with the churches which God had first started in __________. 1 Thessalonians 2:___
4. Who hindered Paul from coming to visit the Thessalonians a second time? __________ 1 Thessalonians 2:___
5. What four expressions does Paul use to describe the blessing and encouragement these Thessalonian believers were to him, both then and at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ? __________ 1 Thessalonians 2:___