How would you articulate the main theme of what Paul is trying to communicate in this passage?

What were some of the theological errors that the Thessalonians believers appeared to be falling into?  How does Paul attempt to correct them?

What is the difference between grieving with hope, and grieving without hope?  (4:13)  How can we be careful to avoid the latter (when we are doing the former)?

Does grief ever have a role to play in the healthy Christian life?  If so, why?  (And when?)  If not, why not?

What does it look like for a Christian to respond in a godly way when someone that they love dies?

How can we, as Christians, be preparing for our own future encounter with death?

What can we learn from this text about the second coming of Christ?

How does the doctrine of the second coming of Christ help us in our Christian lives today? 

According to Paul, why did he write this passage?  (4:13, 4:18)  How might this passage have served to inform the Christians in Thessalonica?  How might it have served to encourage them?

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