ELNORA’S BIBLE STUDY WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS, 1Thessalonians 5, Saturday, February 7, 2026

 

Context for Chapter 5

The end of chapter 4 discussed the nature of the rapture: a sudden, physical ''taking away'' of believers from the earth. Here, Paul continues to refer to this event's sudden and dramatic nature. A key analogy used in this passage is that of daytime versus darkness, and the concept of being awake and alert. As with many of Paul's letters, practical instructions make up the bulk of his closing statements. In particular, Paul adds a command that this letter be read aloud among all of the people of the Thessalonian church.

Source: https://www.bibleref.com/1-Thessalonians/5/1-Thessalonians-chapter-5.html

 

1.      He Will Come Like a Thief, Verses 1-11,  Volunteer Reader

1Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters,[a] we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.[b] 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

SECTION QUESTIONS: To be Added

 

2. Be At Peace, Verses 12-15,  Volunteer Reader

¹² Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. ¹³ Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. ¹⁴ Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

SECTION QUESTIONS: To be Added

3. Rejoice Always and Closing Blessing, Verses 16-28,  DESTINY

¹⁶ Always be joyful. ¹⁷ Never stop praying. ¹⁸ Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Do not scoff at prophecies, ²¹ but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. ²² Stay away from every kind of evil. ²³ Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. ²⁴ God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. ²⁵ Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us. ²⁶ Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss. ²⁷ I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters. ²⁸ May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

SECTION QUESTIONS: To be Added

 

Confessions for 1Thessalonians, Chapter 5

1Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters,[a] we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. (1Thessalonians 5:1-3)

Heavenly Father, thank You that we who have trusted Jesus as Savior are not appointed to wrath, but to be rescued from the time of Tribulation that will come on an unsuspecting world as a thief in the night. May I be ready and prepared for that glorious day when Christ comes to rescue His Church and takes us to be with Himself in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.

5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.  (1Thessalonians 5:5-6)

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and the comfort it gives to us. Thank You that despite the turmoil the world is in, You are still in control. I pray that I may remain awake and alert, looking for that blessed day when Christ will come in the clouds to receive us unto Himself. I pray that despite the terrible Tribulation period, when Your justified wrath will be poured out on a Christ rejecting sinful world, that many would come to faith in the Lord Jesus and be redeemed out of the terrible consequences of unbelief. The Spirit and the Bride say 'come'. Maranatha - even so, come Lord Jesus! AMEN.

10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1Thessalonians 5:10-11)

Heavenly Father, what a wonderful message is contained in this beautiful passage of Scripture. Thank You that You caused Paul to teach this glorious truth so clearly and simply to the dear believers in Thessalonica. Thank You that I am a member of Christ’s Body and am not appointed to wrath, because Jesus took all the punishment that I deserve upon Himself so that I might be forgiven of my sin and not fall under Your righteous judgement. I pray that as the day for Christ’s return approaches, when He will gather His saints, both living and dead to Himself, that I will ready. Thank You that this day will not come on me like a thief in the night, as it does for the unbeliever. Thank You for telling us the end from the beginning. Help me to share this message of comfort and hope with those that are saved and those that are lost in their sin, for Your greater glory. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

²² Stay away from every kind of evil. ²³ Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. ²⁴ God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. (1Thessalonians 5:22-24)

Heavenly Father, I pray that I may abstain from all appearance of evil, for the right reasons. May my conscience be quickened by Your righteousness, and may I feed on Your Word, by faith with thanksgiving. May I look away from myself to the beauty of Who You are and open up my heart to Your heart of love and grace, and may I devote my life to do Your will, to the glory of Your holy name. Heavenly Father, thank You that I am positionally sanctified in Christ and am being progressively sanctified, as I grow in grace in the power of the Spirit. I look forward to the day when the God of Peace will sanctify me entirely. May my spirit, soul, and body, be preserved complete and without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I ask this not for me only, but for all Your children. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/1-Thessalonians/5

 

End with the South African Missions Prayer