1 Thessalonians: A pastor’s heart

A. Greeting, 1:1

B. Thanksgiving for their testimony, 1:2-10

• The nature of their thanksgiving, 1:2
• The cause of their thanksgiving, 1:3-10
  • Their works, 1:3-4
  • Their witness, 1:5-10

C. Pastoral example, 2:1-12

• The results of his ministry, 2:1
• The boldness of his ministry, 2:2
• The purity of his ministry, 2:3-6
• The tenderness of his ministry, 2:7-9
• The pattern of his ministry, 2:10-11
• The goal of his ministry, 2:12

D. Pastoral concern, 2:13-3:10

• His thanksgiving for their perseverance, 2:13-16
• His explanation of his absence, 2:17-18
• An expression of his longing, 2:19-20
• Evidence of his concern: sending Timothy, 3:1-5
• His comfort from Timothy’s report, 3:6-8
• An expression of his thanks, 3:9-10

E. Pastoral prayer, 3:11-13

• That God would bring him back to them
• That they would abound in love
• That their hearts would be established blameless in holiness

F. Pastoral exhortation, 4:1-5:22

• Introduction, 4:1-2
• Concerning sexual purity, 4:3-8
• Concerning brotherly love, 4:9-12
• Concerning those who have fallen asleep, 4:13-18
• Concerning times and seasons, 5:1-11
• Concerning miscellaneous matters, 5:12-22

G. Pastoral prayer, 5:23

• That you might be sanctified completely
• That your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless

H. Conclusion, 5:24-28