How would you articulate the main theme (or themes) of this passage?

What does Paul put forward as evidence that God’s judgment is righteous?  (1:5, See also 1:3-4.)

What does it mean to live a life that is “worthy of the kingdom of God”?  (1:5)  What does it mean to live a life that is “worthy of [God’s] calling”?  (1:11)  How can we be striving to live lives like these, as Christians today?

What does Paul say is the reason (or at least one of the reasons) why Christians suffer in this life in this world?  (1:5)  How does this inform how we experience suffering, and potentially help us to persevere through it?

What does this text teach us about the second coming of Christ?  What will happen on that day?

What does this text teach us about Christ’s final judgment against sin and sinners?  (1:6-9)  On the day that Christ returns, what will happen to those people who have persisted in their rebellion and rejection of him?

What does this text teach about Christ’s ultimate mercy and salvation for his people?  (1:7, 1:10)  On the day that Christ returns, what will happen to those people who have trusted in him?

Compare 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.  What similarities do you see?  What differences do you see?

What is Paul’s prayer for the members of the church in Thessalonica?  (1:11-12)  Why is it significant?

According to 1:11, what is the driving force behind how we, as Christians, can live godly lives?

According to 1:12, what is the ultimate purpose why we, as Christians, should be striving to live godly lives?

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