Scripture Courses
1 and 2 Thessalonians

“1 and 2 Thessalonians,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)

Christ descending in a red robe

He Comes Again to Rule and Reign, by Mary R. Sauer

1 and 2 Thessalonians

In his letters to the Thessalonians, Paul affirmed how he preached the gospel to them in sincerity and love. He responded to concerns about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, teaching that an apostasy would precede that great day. He taught the Thessalonian Saints to work, provide for their own needs, and not be weary in well-doing.

Additional Resources

Scripture Helps: New Testament, “1 and 2 Thessalonians”

Note: The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the four standard lesson elements that follow.

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Encouraging Personal Study

Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:

  • How can you minister to others like the Savior did? As you study 1 Thessalonians 2:7–12; 3:9–13, look for how Paul ministered to the Thessalonian Saints in a Christlike way.

  • What questions or thoughts come to your mind when you think about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? As you study 1 Thessalonians 4–5, look for what Paul taught we can do to prepare for the Savior’s Second Coming. You could also consider watching “Prepare Today for the Second Coming” (1:07).

    1:7

  • What would you say to someone who asked why a Restoration of the Savior’s gospel was necessary? Consider how you could use Paul’s prophecies in 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 to respond. You could also watch “The Apostasy and Restoration” (1:51).

    1:51

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Questions and Sharing

Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

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Skill Training

1 Thessalonians 5:1–6 might be a helpful place to use the skill “Understanding Symbolism in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills. 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 might be a helpful place to use the skills “Searching in the Scriptures and in Gospel Library” and “Tagging Scriptures and Other Gospel Teachings” in Scripture Study Skills.

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Learning Activity Options

Multiple learning options are provided for you and your students. Prayerfully choose which option or options will be most meaningful for your class.

1 Thessalonians 1–3

How can I follow the Savior’s example of ministering to others?

Consider beginning by sharing the following statement by Elder Gerrit W. Gong:

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

As followers of Jesus Christ, we seek to minister to others as He would because lives are waiting to change. (“Ministering,” Liahona, May 2023, 16)

Invite the students to think about their current efforts to minister to others. They could also consider questions or concerns they have about ministering. Encourage them as they study to pay attention to what the Spirit can teach them about ministering to others like the Savior would.

To help students understand the context of Paul’s teachings in 1 Thessalonians, consider sharing the following summary:

During Paul’s second missionary journey, Jewish leaders forced Paul and his companions out of Thessalonica after many in the city had become converted (see Acts 17:1–9). Paul later sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to see how the new converts were doing (see 1 Thessalonians 3:1–2). Paul was grateful to learn that the Saints had remained faithful (see 1 Thessalonians 3:6–7). He wrote them a letter to share his love and counsel. (For more information, see “To whom were 1 and 2 Thessalonians written and why?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.)

Invite students to study 1 Thessalonians 2:7–14; 3:6–13. Encourage them to identify and mark phrases that demonstrate Christlike ministering. To help students share what they found, you could ask questions like the following:

  • What were some examples of Christlike ministering you found in these verses?

  • What do you learn from these verses about the impact that Christlike ministering can have on others? (If needed, you could refer students back to 1 Thessalonians 2:13–14. Students may identify a truth like the following: As we minister to others in love, we can help them become better followers of Jesus Christ.)

Point out that in addition to assignments we have to minister in our wards or branches, we have many more ministering opportunities in our everyday lives.

  • What are some specific ways we can minister to others as the Savior would? (As part of your discussion, consider inviting a student to read the following statement by Sister Jean B. Bingham):

Sister Jean B. Bingham

Simple acts of service can have profound effects on others—as well as on ourselves. What did the Savior do? Through His supernal gifts of the Atonement and Resurrection … “none other has had so profound an influence [on] all who have lived and who will yet live upon the earth” [“The Living Christ,” Gospel Library]. But He also smiled at, talked with, walked with, listened to, made time for, encouraged, taught, fed, and forgave. He served family and friends, neighbors and strangers alike, and He invited acquaintances and loved ones to enjoy the rich blessings of His gospel. Those “simple” acts of service and love provide a template for our ministering today. (“Ministering as the Savior Does,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 104)

  • What are some times the Savior lovingly ministered to others? (Consider giving students time to search the scriptures to find examples. You could display a few scripture references for students who need help, such as Mark 2:14–17; John 8:1–11; 3 Nephi 17:1–9. Students could discuss with a small group what they found.)

Invite students to think about times when others have lovingly ministered to them. You could ask a few students to share their experiences and how those experiences helped them become a better follower of Jesus Christ.

Conclude by inviting students to prayerfully seek Heavenly Father’s help to know who He would have them minister to today and how. Invite them to record their spiritual impressions.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

1 Thessalonians 4–5

How can I prepare for the Savior’s Second Coming?

Display an image that depicts the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, such as the one at the beginning of the lesson. Then invite students to discuss the following question with a partner or small group:

  • What thoughts, questions, or concerns come to your mind when you think about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?

Explain that, like many in our day, the Thessalonian Saints had questions and concerns about the Savior’s Second Coming. Based on Paul’s teachings in these chapters, they may have asked questions like the ones listed in the following study activity. Consider displaying these questions and the accompanying scripture references.

Invite the students to choose one or more of the options to study. Alternatively, you could divide students into groups of three and assign each student one of the options to study. They could then summarize for their group what they learned.

What will happen to the living and the dead at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?

When will the Second Coming of Jesus Christ happen?

How can I prepare myself to meet the Savior when He comes again?

When students have finished studying, invite them to summarize what they learned, either with their assigned group or together as a class. You might also invite them to share truths they discovered from their studies. Using their own words, they could identify truths like the following:

Consider asking questions like the following to help students deepen their understanding of these truths:

  • How can remembering these truths bring comfort to those who have concerns or fears related to the Savior’s Second Coming?

  • How do you feel knowing that the Savior wants His righteous followers to join Him when He comes again?

  • What can we do to invite more of the Savior’s light into our lives so we can become “children of light”? (1 Thessalonians 5:5). (As part of your discussion, you could invite the students to share actions from 1 Thessalonians 5:14–22 that they think would be especially helpful. You could also share the following statement by Elder Craig C. Christensen:

Elder Craig C. Christensen

To become children of light means to reject the power of the adversary and to choose daily to follow the Light of Christ.

The phrase “children of light” describes a people in whom the light of the gospel shines brightly. It describes a people who seek the light and are drawn to that which is virtuous, clean, and pure. There is an expectation that children of light are alert and watchful—not sleeping, in a spiritual sense, when they should be awake (see 2 Nephi 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:5–8). Children of light do not sit passively in darkness; they have the courage to stand up and stand out. When the adversary comes looming, children of light know when to fight back, when to say no, and when to simply walk away. (“Becoming Children of Light,” Ensign, Aug. 2014, 67)

Conclude by inviting students to reflect on actions they have felt prompted to take that will help them be more prepared to meet the Savior again. Invite them to record their thoughts and impressions.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

2 Thessalonians 2

Why is it important to know that there was a Great Apostasy?

Consider beginning this learning activity by sharing the following scenario:

Imagine you receive a text message from your friend that says, “There are so many churches out there. What makes yours any different from all the others?”

Invite students to consider how prepared they would be to answer this question.

Point out that Paul’s teachings to the Thessalonian Saints help us understand why the Savior’s restored Church is necessary in the world today. Remind students that some of the Thessalonian Saints thought that the day of the Savior’s Second Coming was “at hand” (2 Thessalonians 2:2).

Invite students to search 2 Thessalonians 2:1–9, looking for what Paul prophesied would happen prior to the Savior’s Second Coming. (It may be helpful to point out the Joseph Smith Translation of 2 Thessalonians 2:2–3 [in footnote a of verse 2 and footnote a of verse 3] and of 2 Thessalonians 2:7–9 [Gospel Library]. For further help with these verses, refer students to “2 Thessalonians 2:1–4. What did Paul teach about the Apostasy?” and “2 Thessalonians 2:3–9. Who is the ‘son of perdition?’” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.)

  • What did Paul teach would happen before Jesus Christ’s Second Coming? (Students may identify a truth like the following: It was prophesied anciently that before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, an apostasy from His Church would occur. If needed, explain that the “falling away” described by Paul was the Great Apostasy, which occurred after the death of Jesus Christ’s Apostles.)

Explain that because Heavenly Father knows all things (see 2 Nephi 9:20), the Great Apostasy did not come as a surprise to Him. In His love and wisdom, He provided a way to overcome this Great Apostasy through the Restoration of Jesus Christ’s Church (see Acts 3:19–21; Ephesians 1:10).

Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Helping students fulfill their role in the learning process. Spiritual learning requires students to put forth effort and exercise agency. As students actively participate in class activities, they open their hearts to the influence of the Holy Ghost. Look for ways to invite all students to participate according to their needs and abilities.

Consider using one or more of the following teaching ideas to help students deepen their understanding of the Great Apostasy and the Restoration:

You might also consider discussing questions like the following:

  • How does understanding the Great Apostasy help you understand the need for the Restoration?

  • How is your life impacted by the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ being on the earth?

Conclude by sharing your testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”