Using This Study Guide

The Basic Study

This study guide consists of 12 lessons covering two of Paul’s letters—First and Second Thessalonians. If you cannot do the entire lesson one week, please read the Bible passage covered by the lesson.

Process of Bible Study: Each lesson includes core questions covering the passage narrative. These core questions will take you through the process of inductive Bible study—observation, interpretation, and application. The process is more easily understood in the context of answering these questions:

·         What does the passage say? (Observation: what’s actually there)

·         What does it mean? (Interpretation: the author’s intended meaning)

·         How does this apply to me today? (Application: making it personal) Questions identified as Gaining Perspective” lead you to introspection and application of a specific truth to your life. You will be given opportunity to use creative means to express God’s faithfulness to you in your life’s journey.

Study Enhancements

To aid in proper interpretation and application of the study, five additional study aids are located where appropriate in the lesson:

·         Historical Insights

·         Scriptural Insights

·         From the Greek (definitions of Greek words)

·         Focus on the Meaning

·         Think About It (thoughtful reflection)

Gaining Perspective

“Perspective” — a measured or objective assessment of a situation, giving all aspects their comparative importance

Through your study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, you will gain a proper perspective of God, yourself, and the world in which you live. Proper perspective gives you stability, certainty, and confidence in your God who is faithful to you. You will grow in confidence because you will learn that your self-worth is not derived from any human being but from God. You will be able to stand firm and press onward regardless of obstacles in your life.

Each woman is unique. There is no one exactly like you or me in all the world. Each of us is influential in the sphere God has given to us in which to make an impact—our family, workplace, school, church, and neighborhood. For that reason each of us is responsible to God for how we use the gifts and opportunities He has given us. Each of us will stand before Him individually as a woman. When we gain a proper perspective of God, ourselves, and the world in which we live, we being to serve our God with greater enthusiasm and growing freedom. There is then no limit to what can happen as God works in us and through us to impact our world. How is your perspective?