Single lesson
1 Thessalonians 1: Greetings to the Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 1:1–10
This lesson helps children notice what Paul, Silvanus and Timothy thanked God for in the Thessalonian believers. The passage shows faith, love, hope, changed living and a clear message about Jesus.
Before you teach
In 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10, the writers greet the assembly, thank God for them, and describe what they remember and know about these believers. The passage moves from greeting, to thanksgiving and prayer, to the Thessalonians’ example, their turning to God, and their waiting for Jesus.
Students will be able to name at least three marks of the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 and explain one way this passage calls believers to respond to God.
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Browse our craft printables →Welcome: Listen for what Paul thanks God for
5 minBriefly introduce the lesson by saying the passage is a greeting that quickly becomes a thank-you to God. Tell the children to listen for words that describe the Thessalonians. Read verses 1–3 aloud slowly, and ask them to raise a hand when they hear faith, love or hope.
1 Thessalonians 1:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:3
Read and explain: Faith, love and hope in action
7 minRead verses 2–5 together. Explain that the writers always thank God for these believers and remember their work of faith, labour of love and perseverance of hope. Point out that the good news came not in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit and with much assurance.
1 Thessalonians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:5
Discuss: Receiving the word and becoming an example
6 minRead verses 6–8. The Thessalonians received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Spirit and became imitators of the writers and of the Lord. The passage connects this with becoming an example to believers in Macedonia and Achaia and the word of the Lord going out from them. Do not turn affliction and joy into separate later steps; they describe the reception itself.
1 Thessalonians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 1:8
Reflect and respond
8 minUse a question from this lesson for a shared discussion. There is no matching catalogue printable linked to this guide yet. The optional learning response below is free teaching material; browse our catalogue if you would like to add one of our craft printables.
Browse our craft printables →Closing: Say the main teaching together
4 minReview the whole passage with short prompts: Who is greeted, what are the writers thankful for, what did the Thessalonians do, and whom are they waiting for? Finish by having the children say one sentence each beginning with, “This passage teaches…” using words from the text.
1 Thessalonians 1:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:10
Questions to explore
What three qualities are remembered in verse 3, and what words go with each one?
Look carefully at the pairs in the verse: faith is linked with work, love with labour, and hope with perseverance.
1 Thessalonians 1:3
How does the passage connect receiving the word, affliction and joy with becoming an example?
Read verses 6–8: they received the word in affliction with joy, became imitators of the writers and the Lord, and so became an example; the word was declared from them. Keep the connected statements together.
1 Thessalonians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 1:8
According to verses 9–10, what did they turn from, whom did they turn to, and what were they doing while they waited?
Use the exact words of the text: they turned from idols to God, served the living and true God, and waited for his Son from heaven.
1 Thessalonians 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:10
Optional learning response Free teaching material
Make and respond: Turned to God and waiting for Jesus
Read verses 9–10. Explain simply that the Thessalonians turned to God from idols, served the living and true God, and waited for his Son from heaven. Invite each child to choose one truth from the passage for a reminder card, such as faith, love, hope, serving God or waiting for Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:10
Faith, Love, Hope Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- card or paper
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or markers
Try it together
- Ask each child to choose one phrase from the passage, such as “work of faith”, “labor of love”, “perseverance of hope”, “serve a living and true God”, or “wait for his Son from heaven”.
- Fold a small card in half and write the chosen phrase on the front.
- Inside the card, draw or write one realistic way to remember that phrase this week, using simple ideas such as helping, praying, or speaking kindly.
- Invite volunteers to read their card aloud and point to the verse where their phrase appears.
The cards help children remember the exact words Paul used to thank God for the Thessalonians and to describe their response to God.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, pre-write the key phrases from verses 3, 9 and 10 on a board so they can copy one accurately onto their card.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to include two linked ideas on the card, such as faith and action from verse 3, or turning to God and serving him from verse 9.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: “God our Father, thank you for faith, love and hope. Please help us receive your word, serve you, and wait for Jesus with joy. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
1 Thessalonians 1
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers,
3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.
4 We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen,
5 and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.
6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.
8 For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we need not say anything.
9 For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,
10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead: Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.