1. Refer to verses 1-3. Based on Paul’s responses, what accusations can be inferred against him?

2. In verse 4 what motivation does Paul have for preaching?

3. In verses 5-6 what three things common to false teachers and televangelists does Paul say he doesn’t do? Can you think of some current examples?

4. What metaphors does Paul use in verses 7-12 to describe his ministry style? What does he mean? What does it look like? How can we imitate him?

5. In verses 13-16 Paul says that the Christian church in Thessalonica is suffering at the hands of their countrymen like the Judean church suffers from theirs. How is it similar? What is the reason? Do we also suffer from our culture?

6. This passage was used prior to WWII as a justification to hate Jewish people. Why? How is it inappropriate to use the text this way?