Encountering the New Testament, 4th Edition

A Historical and Theological Survey

series: Encountering Biblical Studies

Materials available for professors by request only

Chapter

21. Thessalonians, Timothy, and Titus

Discussion Questions

  1. What was Paul’s purpose in writing to the new church at Thessalonica?
  2. Why are 1–2 Timothy and Titus called the Pastoral Epistles?
  3. Why do you think references to God are so frequent in 1–2 Thessalonians?
  4. What reasons might modern critics have for trying to disprove Pauline authorship of the Pastoral Epistles?

Assignment Ideas / Class Activities

  1. Have the class break up into groups. Give each group a section of 1–2 Thessalonians to scan and note the references to God. Have the groups report to the entire class.
  2. Have the students scan Titus to find the practical advice Titus was given by Paul. Write the students’ responses on the board.