1 & 2 Thessalonians For You: For Reading, for Feeding, for Leading

by Ligon Duncan

Applied expository Bible-study guide to 1 and 2 Thessalonians. We’ve been saved by Jesus... so what’s next? How do we discern good teaching from bad, what does it look like to grow in holiness, and what should our expectations be for the future? Find answers to those questions in the warm, instructive letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church. Pastor and professor Ligon Duncan unpacks these two letters verse by verse, teaching us about Christ’s future return and showing us what it means to live in the light of that, whether we’re new Christians, seasoned ministers of the gospel, or somewhere in between. Along the way we see why Scripture is so important; learn to find reasons for thankfulness; clarify our beliefs about death, judgment, and eternity; and witness Paul’s deeply pastoral attitude toward his readers. This accessible, absorbing expository guide is less academic and more applied than a traditional commentary. This makes it a great resource for personal devotion, as well as useful for leading small-group studies or for sermon preparation.

224 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2023

Reviews

[Ellie (elliehojreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️‘s

One thing I love about this series is how accessible these books are. These are mini-commentaries. Ligon does a fantastic job of taking us deeper into the scriptures and presenting his interpretations in a clear and helpful way. 1 & 2 Thessalonians is often overlooked but contains so much depth, instruction, and truth. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to The Good Book Company for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this guide to 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Ligon Duncan draws out different ideas and applications to help people better understand these books of the Bible and how they apply to our lives. Duncan moves through these books from beginning to end, and he draws on other Scriptures to provide context for different topics and issues that come up. He also shares some anecdotes from his life and pastoral ministry to illustrate different concepts and share encouragement.

Duncan's concern and care for other believers comes through clearly in this book, and he shares many helpful thoughts about the theological and Christian living topics that Paul addressed in 1 and 2 Thessalonians. However, while those epistles take up only eight pages in my smallest Bible, this commentary is 208 full-sized pages long. It is far longer than necessary, to the point where many of Duncan's reflections feel like word-padding to make the book longer. His insights can be valuable and helpful, but he often takes deep dives into concepts that seem obvious, and he explores lots of ideas and application points that are really just side notes to an exegesis of the passage.

1 & 2 Thessalonians For You can be a helpful study resource for pastors and Bible study leaders, and it's appropriate for both individual reading and discussion groups. However, because of this book's length compared to the fairly short Bible books it's based on, I would recommend it much less than other volumes in the series. This book feels overly long and dragged out, and because the author spends so much time making fairly basic points, this book seems most appropriate for a new believer who is learning more about their faith.

Note: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Zorina Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book comes out July 1, 2023! It is part of a bigger series, God's Word For You. This book is not a commentary of 1 & 2 Thessalonians, but rather an unpacking of each section verse by verse. I really loved this book! It is a great guide to read with your reading of the sections from the Bible to help better understand and think more about what Paul is saying in this letter.
This book and series are written for anyone from every age and stage in their faith. It would be great for the new believer or for the Pastor. There is a glossary at the back of the book as well for definitions of words that are different or unfamiliar outside of the church. These words are in gray throughout the book. Reflection questions follow at the end of each chapter and the chapters are divided into two parts.
This resource is so flexible. It can be read straight through or used as a devotional. It can also be used by pastor's or leaders as notes to aid in preaching or leading a Bible study. Such an amazing resource for anyone wanting to study 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Ligon Duncun explores how we can perservere through trials, please God, and grow together as believers. He also holds to a high view of God's sovereignty and does a great job of explaining election and what a great comfort that is for the believer. He unpacks so much in this section of God's Word and applies it to our lives appropriately in the context of the Bible. Highly recommend this great resource!

[Ben Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really helpful, thought-provoking guide through Paul's two letters to the Thessalonians which helps to take each passage both on its own merit, and in the context of the wider letters.

I personally appreciated that the author directs you to precisely the verse (or part of a verse) he's writing about at any particular time, and also prints verses in the book when necessary so I didn't feel like I was constantly flicking back and forth between books looking up references! For an easily distracted person like myself, that's no small thing!

The questions in the middle and at the end of each chapter are simple, challenging, and helpful for guiding your prayers in response to what you've just read!

If there was a fault in this guide, I think it might be in the fact that certain passages are dealt with quite briefly (perhaps to prevent the book becoming too long) that I would have appreciated a little more unpacking of. But on the other hand, it's very accessible, not too academic, and nicely applicable!

[Phil Butcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid & faithful devotional commentary. Not as strong as some of the others in this series - as it aimed more at the head only and not the heart. It could have done with fuller application & more illustrations.

[Erik Koster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never thought I'd say "there was too much here" when reading a study book about a Bible book. Yet here we are. This book was way too much for the book of Thessalonians. Didn't hate it, it was just a lot, and a lot of repeats.