FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS - 1.WRITER: Paul (Little), former name of Saul. Probably among the earliest of his writings. Church founded during his Second Missionary Journey. (Acts 17:1-10) 2. KEY VERSE: (1 Thes 5:23) "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 3. MAIN THEME: The Return of Christ 4. OUTLINE:      A. Work of Faith (Ch 1)      B. Labor of Love (Ch 2-3)      C. Patience of Hope (Ch 4-5) 5. NOTES:      a. Paul, concerned about the welfare of the new Christians in Thessalonica, sent Timothy to them. His return was the occasion for the writing.      b. Purpose:           1. To confirm foundational truths.           2. To exhort to holiness.           3. To comfort them concerning disciples who died.           4. To admonish idle and lazy brothers. COMMENTS: Thessalonica was located in Macedonia, near the Thermaic Gulf. Mount Olympus could be seen in the background The city of Thessalonica was named after the sister of Alexander the Great. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 tells of the rapture of the church.