1 thessalonians

1 Thessalonians can be a confusing book to follow and reading it through in one sitting would be challenge to understand and pick up the different elements in the book. So I wanted to give an outline today of this book to help us understand it a little better.
I.       Prescript (1:1)
   1.   Authors and Addressees (1:1a)
   2.   Greeting (1:1b)
II.     Thanksgiving and Hope (1:2–3:13)
   1.   Introduction (1:2–10)
      (1)  The Thanksgiving (1:2–5)
      (2)  An Affirmation (1:6–10)
   2.   Apostolic Character while in Thessalonica Rehearsed (2:1–12)
      (1)  Denials (2:1–6)
      (2)  Affirmations (2:7–12)
   3.   Thanksgiving for Perseverance in the Gospel (2:13–16)
      (1)  Thanksgiving (2:13)
      (2)  Affirmation (2:14–16)
   4.   Apostolic Activities after Leaving Thessalonica Rehearsed (2:17–3:8)
      (1)  Expressions of Concern (2:17–3:5)
      (2)  Timothy’s Report Received (3:6–8)
   5.   Thanksgiving and Intercessory Prayer (3:9–13)
      (1)  Thanksgiving (3:9–10)
      (2)  Prayer (3:11–13)
III.    Ethical Exhortations (4:1–5:22)
   1.   Introductory Call to Obedience (4:1–2)
   2.   Exhortations Regarding Sanctification (4:3–8)
   3.   Exhortations Regarding Brotherly Love (4:9–12)
   4.   Exhortations Regarding the Dead (4:13–18)
   5.   Exhortations Regarding Times and Seasons (5:1–11)
      (1)  Introduction (5:1)
      (2)  The Manner of the Lord’s Return (5:2–3)
      (3)  The Christian Life Anticipating the Return (5:4–11)
   6.   Exhortations Regarding Life in the Fellowship (5:12–22)
      (1)  Leaders and Followers (5:12–13)
      (2)  The Weak and the Strong (5:14–15)
      (3)  Optimists and Pessimists (5:16–18)
      (4)  The Cynical and the Gullible (5:19–22)
IV.    Benediction and Conclusion (5:23–28)
   1.   Benediction (5:23–24)
   2.   Concluding Exhortations (5:25–27)
   3.   Epistolary Conclusion (5:28)