paul’s shotgun paranesis - This passage is a quick round of imperatives all constructed with final verb formulations and interrupted only by the declarative sentence, "for this is the will of God for you" (v.18).

Always rejoice
Constantly pray
In all circumstances give thanks
For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you
The Spirit, do not quench.
Prophecy do not despise
Everything, test.
The good, hold fast
From every form of evil, abstain. [1]

rejoice / pray / give thanks - Paul’s first three imperatives stand out syntactically from what follows-notice the sameness of descriptions: always, constantly, in all circumstances. These three are also worth a closer look because of their history in this letter; rejoice, pray, give thanks would remind the recipients of other ways in which Paul had modeled these three qualities. Paul had spoken of receiving the word amidst persecutions with joy (1:6); Paul and his church planters have modeled this very thing. Constantly pray is also modeled earlier in the letter. Paul speaks of making prayers constantly (1:2), and his thanksgiving report that begins the letter and throughout clearly hold such an attitude as valuable. [2]

Of all of these shotgun imperatives, which is most relevant and needed in your community of faith? Small group? Family system? Your personal life?

Be joyful, pray and give thanks always-What makes these actions difficult to do?

What sanctifying grace and encouragement do you receive from God to fulfill these commands?

block #1 - Recall any leave-taking that you grew up with-leaving for school, work, college, the military; describe the ritual that occurred as the time of departure drew near. Name some of these rituals that would also be the practice of your listeners. Note the final minute instructions we exchange-write me, call me when you get there, don’t forget to get enough sleep, go to church, stay out of trouble!

block #2 - Shift to the lesson-an ending not unlike our own rituals. Even the Greek scholars note that the construction suggests last minute admonitions. Paul has spent time worshiping and teaching with them, modeling the Christian life among them. He now exits and later hears a report of this congregation’s progress; 1st Thessalonians is Paul’s response. Final instructions end this letter.

block #3 - suggest ways in which we too might benefit from Paul’s final instructions to our communities of faith-how would a congregation that values and builds on joy, prayer, and thanksgiving look like, worship like, do mission like?

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[1] New Interpreter’s Bible XI (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2000), page 730.
[2] Ibid, page 732.