Identify any strategic methods used by Paul in this passage to build the community to which it is addressed
• What strategies does Paul uses to build a community – what is there in this passage that helps the community know how to live as a Christ community and keeps them on track
• Analyse how the context of 1 Thessalonians influences the meaning of this passage
• from what you have found out about the reading how does the context of the 1 Thessalonians influence the meaning of the text. What is happening in Thessaloniki at this time, what is it like to like as a Christ follower in Thessaloniki at this time?

• Elucidate contemporary insights from your theological understanding of the passage
• Now write about what it means for our church today – what insight/s can we draw from what we read of this first century experience