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Congregation Bible Study (30 mins.) bt ch. 17 pars. 1-7.
1, 2. Who is traveling from Philippi to Thessalonica, and what might they be thinking about along the way?
Paul, Silas, and Timothy are the ones traveling from Philippi to Thessalonica. Along the way, they may be thinking about their recent experiences, especially the mistreatment they suffered in Philippi. As they approach Thessalonica, they may be reflecting on how they will be received by the Jews there, wondering if they will be treated well or if they will face violence again, as they did in Philippi.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Paul, Silas and Timothy travelled more than 130 km. Along the way, they may have thought about what had happened to them in Philippi, where they had been mistreated. They probably also remembered the experience of the jailer who became a Christian with his family, which gave them courage.
At the same time, they may have been worried about how they would be treated by the Jews in Thessalonica, whether they would be welcomed or mistreated again. Paul and Silas had a very difficult time in Philippi. They were beaten and imprisoned, but they still continued to preach with enthusiasm. Perhaps they remembered how the jailer and his family became Christians, which gave them courage to go on.
Although they were surely happy about the jailer's conversion, they were probably also thinking about the danger they might face in Thessalonica. Perhaps they wondered whether the Jews there would be kind or treat them badly like Philippi. Still, they did not let fear stop them.
3. Why should we study Paul’s example?
Studying Paul's example is beneficial because it shows us how to overcome fear and opposition in preaching God's word. Despite suffering and being mistreated in Philippi, Paul found courage to continue his mission in Thessalonica. His experience teaches us to trust in Jehovah and to be courageous in our own situations, even when we face challenges.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
And by learning from his example, we can find the motivation and courage to share our beliefs, just as he did.
It is good to study Paul's example because, despite his fears and having been mistreated in Philippi, he continued to preach with courage. This teaches us that, even if we are afraid to preach, we can overcome those fears by trusting in God, just as Paul did. His example helps us to have more courage to speak about the Good News.
Paul admitted that he was afraid to preach in Thessalonica because of what had happened in Philippi. However, he trusted in God and that gave him the courage to continue forward, despite the opposition. This teaches us that if we trust in Jehovah, He will give us the strength and courage we need.
It is normal to feel afraid at times when preaching, but Paul's example reminds us that Jehovah will always help us overcome those fears. Studying Paul's life motivates us to imitate his courage and to trust fully in Jehovah.
“He reasoned with them from the Scriptures” (Acts 17:1-3)
4. Why is it likely that Paul spent more than three weeks in Thessalonica?
Paul probably spent more than three weeks in Thessalonica because, although the account mentions that he preached for three Sabbaths in the synagogue, it does not specify how many days it took him to get there before his first sermon. In addition, Paul and his companions had to work to earn a living while in the city, and they also received material help from the brothers in Philippi on two occasions.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Although the Bible says that Paul preached for three Sabbaths in the synagogue, he probably spent more than three weeks in Thessalonica. This is because he had to work to earn a living, and on two occasions he received help from the brothers in Philippi. All of this suggests that his stay in the city was longer.
Paul preached in the synagogue for three Sabbaths. But he also had to work to support himself. This shows that he probably spent more time there, not just those three weeks, because he mentions in his letters that the brothers in Philippi helped him while he was in Thessalonica.
In addition to preaching, Paul made sure that he was not a burden to anyone, working to provide for their needs. This is a good example of how we can balance our daily responsibilities with our work in preaching.
5. What did Paul do to try to convince his listeners?
In an attempt to convince his listeners, Paul gathered his courage and went to the synagogue, where he “reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” He used logic and biblical references to explain and prove that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and be resurrected, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah. His approach was centered on teaching the Scriptures, which allowed him to connect with his audience who knew and respected those texts.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Paul used the scriptures to reason and convince the people in the synagogue. He did not appeal to their emotions, but rather explained and proved to them, with passages from the Bible, that Jesus was the Christ, the promised Messiah. He used logic and the scriptures, which the people already knew, so that they could better understand his message.
Paul did not just tell them what he believed, but he used the scriptures to explain and prove that Jesus was the promised Christ. This allowed his listeners to see that his message was based on the word of God, not on human ideas.
By reasoning from the scriptures, Paul showed that it was not just a matter of blind faith. He used the Bible to help people logically understand why Christ needed to suffer and be resurrected. This teaches us how to use the Bible effectively when sharing our message.
6. How did Jesus use the Scriptures to reason with others, and what effect did this have on his disciples?
Jesus used Scripture to reason with others by basing his teachings on prophecies and sacred texts. For example, he explained to his disciples that according to prophecies, the Son of Man must suffer, die, and be resurrected.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
After his resurrection, he appeared to two of his followers and, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, explained to them what was said about him in all the Scriptures. This approach had a profound effect on his disciples, who were impressed and said, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he was speaking to us on the road, while he was explaining the Scriptures to us clearly?” This shows how the use of the Scriptures not only provided them with understanding, but also inspired them and strengthened their faith.
Jesus also used the scriptures to teach. For example, after his resurrection, he explained to the disciples how the prophecies spoke of him. Although they had not seen him resurrected, he wanted to give them more proof, using passages from the Bible. This method greatly impressed the disciples, who felt their hearts burning with excitement as they understood the scriptures better.
After his resurrection, Jesus not only appeared to his disciples, but he also explained to them from the Bible the prophecies about him, beginning with Moses and the prophets. This helped them to better understand everything that had happened and strengthened their faith.
Jesus' disciples were not only thrilled to see Jesus resurrected, but they also felt their hearts burning within them as Jesus explained the scriptures to them. This shows the power of the Bible to touch the heart and clarify God's purpose.
7. Why is it so important that we use the Bible in our ministry?
It is important that we use the Bible in our ministry because the Word of God acts with power and is the basis of our teachings. Just like Jesus and the apostles, by basing our message on the Scriptures, we demonstrate that we are not presenting our own ideas, but the teachings of God. This not only provides confidence and security in what we preach, but also allows those who listen to us to see the reliability and authority of the message.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
So using the Bible helps us reason, explain, and demonstrate what we teach, which can strengthen the faith of our listeners and give them a deeper understanding of spiritual truths.
The Bible has the power to touch people's hearts. When we use it in our ministry, we are showing that the message we carry is not ours, but God's. This not only helps people better understand the teachings, but it also gives us more confidence and courage to preach, knowing that our message is based on the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12 says that the word of God is powerful and common and is sharp. This means that the Bible can reach people's hearts in a way that our own words cannot. Therefore, when we pray, we must pray for them, if not for God.
Using the Bible in our ministry gives us confidence because we know that we are sharing Jehovah’s teachings, not our own ideas. Also, when people see that what we say is based on the Scriptures, they are more likely to listen and pay attention to our message.
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