Introducing the Summary Exercise
On a day in which a winter storm kept us from gathering in person, I decided to use this opportunity to read the entirety of the letter of 2 Thessalonians (part of current Bible reading plan and relevant to our eternal judgment series), and to share a method for summarizing what you read.
In the video above, I walk through the summary process. Below you can find the completed summary.
A Summary of 2 Thessalonians
Grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to the church of Thessalonica that is in Him. (1:1-2)
Our gratitude to God for you increases along with everything else that is growing in your lives: your faith is growing and your love is growing. And we know that your suffering is growing. And so our testimony to others is growing about your perseverance in suffering for God’s kingdom. (1:3-5)
The righteous Judge is coming to settle matters of faith and faithful living. He will reveal eternal judgments, and we pray His glorious coming reveals great glory in you. (1:6-12)
Please don’t be confused by His coming or that it has already occurred. I repeat: there is a great evil that must take place first: the coming of the false one (who will convince many that he is king and judge—that he is even God). The True One will judge him, and Truth will deliver you into future glory. In the present, let Truth be your comfort, hope, and strength (2).
Pray for our mission: that the growing glory we see in you will be seen in others. Don’t get distracted, and don’t get tired of growing. We know that some believers will abandon the path of growth. They are not your enemies, but you can’t walk with them. Don’t trade your glory for their shame.
In the presence of the Lord there is peace and grace! (3)