Matt Smethurst on Teaching 2 Thessalonians

In this episode of Help Me Teach the Bible, I have the second of a two-part conversation with Matt Smethurst on the books of 1–2 Thessalonians. Smethurst is the author of 1–2 Thessalonians: A 12–Week Study in the Knowing the Bible study guide series (Crossway). He’s also managing editor of The Gospel Coalition and an elder at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky

In the second epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul picks up some of the same themes from his first letter, including a discussion of the mysterious “man of lawlessness.”

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You can listen to part one here.

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Nancy Guthrie (MATS, Reformed Theological Seminary) teaches the Bible at her home church, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, in Franklin, Tennessee, as well as at conferences around the country and internationally, including through her Biblical Theology Workshop for Women. She is the author of numerous books and the host of the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast from The Gospel Coalition. She and her husband founded Respite Retreats for couples who have faced the death of a child, and they’re cohosts of the GriefShare video series.

Matt Smethurst serves as lead pastor of River City Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. He also cohosts and edits The Everyday Pastor podcast from The Gospel Coalition. Matt is the author of Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel (Crossway, 2025), Before You Share Your Faith: Five Ways to Be Evangelism Ready (10Publishing, 2022), Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church (Crossway, 2021), Before You Open Your Bible: Nine Heart Postures for Approaching God’s Word (10Publishing, 2019), and 1–2 Thessalonians: A 12-Week Study (Crossway, 2017). He and his wife, Maghan, have five children. You can follow him on X and Instagram.