1 & 2 Thessalonians

Title: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope in the Midst of Trails

Author: Tara-Leigh Cobble

Source: Bethany House Nonfiction

My Review:

1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope in the Midst of Trails is my first introduction to the Bible Recap series. The Bible study can be used alongside the Bible Recap book or as its own Bible Study. 

I like how the study is set up. It starts with an introduction to 1 Thessalonians, followed by a quick outline of what to expect for the week, and then you start the week. Each day, you read a couple of verses, and then you work your way through the 2-3 pages of work for that day. While it sounds like a lot, it's not. You can easily work through each day in under 10 minutes, 15 if you are a slower reader. Each week has seven days to work through. The first four days are devoted to the chapter you are studying. Day five is an attribute of God to focus on (from that week's study). Day six, you typically read a Psalm and compare it to the chapter of Thessalonians you have read, followed by a prayer. Day seven is a catch-up day, with an optional dig deeper challenge.

One of the key points I found in the first week was that the Thessalonians were waiting for the day that the Lord Jesus would return. I love the relevance of that statement. Isn't that what we are waiting on as well?

A few nuggets that spoke to me:

• Like Paul, our truest lasting legacy will be our spiritual descendants-the saints who came to know Christ because we endured and persevered in the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1-2). (p42)
• Remember, God is the God of comfort-not the God of comfortable. (p45)
• There are wonders revealed to us in suffering that are more precious than gold-wonders we get to keep forever, even when the season of suffering has passed. (p46)
• We grieve the temporary loss of those we love, but the coming of the Lord assures us that all believers-dead or alive-will be gathered with Jesus. (p81)

I did enjoy this study, and I would do more Bible studies that correlate with the Bible Recap book again.

Thank you to Bethany House for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

★★★★★/5

Synopsis (Goodreads):  

The team behind the bestselling The Bible Recap takes your study of God's Word to the next level. Continuing with the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, The Bible Recap Knowing God Series dives deep into the transformative truths found in the New Testament.

Perfect for small groups or individual study, this comprehensive, 10-week Bible study explains and connects the story of Scripture in the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Through daily readings, passage-by-passage teaching, thought-provoking questions, weekly challenges, Scripture memorization, and personal study segments, you will
· learn how to dig deep into God's Word
· discover the character of God revealed through the early church
· comprehend what pleases God, the second coming of Christ, and the hope of salvation
· apply these truths to your life

Unearthing the timeless wisdom woven into these letters, this study will help you more deeply understand God's holiness, let Christ rule in your life, and hold on to the hope of Christ's return.