Tag: Paul

1 Thessalonians Day 6

2:1-2

1: For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain

The Gospel never goes out in vain. Although not everyone will believe it, it will always accomplish its mission.

2: But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the Gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

If you want to read more about their struggles in Thessalonica, it can be read in Acts 17:1-10. Basically Paul and Silas had come in to Thessalonica and Paul went in to the synagogues to reason with the people and explain the Gospel The Jews were not happy about people believing the words of Paul so they created a mob and tried to capture Paul and Silas. The fellow believers in Thessalonica sent Paul and Silas away at night in order to protect them.

We are not guaranteed an easy life, but we will have a Savior who will be with us through it all and who understands all of our trials and tribulations. Our hope is greater than our trials! The Gospel brings us joy and sets us free from the bondage of sin! If even one person comes to believe from our imperfect efforts, all the struggle is worth it! I am so thankful that God can use me, an imperfect sinner, to accomplish His plan of sharing the Gospel! To God be the glory!

1 Thessalonians Day 5

Chapter 1 Review

Questions

  1. Who is the Author?
  2. Who else is traveling with the author?
  3. Who is the letter to?
  4. What did we learn?
  5. How can we apply what we’ve learned?

Answers (Answers for 4 and 5 may vary)

  1. The author is Paul
  2. Timothy and Silvanus (Silas) are traveling with Paul
  3. The letter is to the Thessalonian church
  4. We learned about prayer, the witness of believers, and are reminded of what Jesus has done for us
  5. We can grow in our prayer life, realize how much our witness can affect others and seek to grow in our witness, and always be thankful for what Jesus has done and share the news with others

Some notes that I took while studying this chapter were:

  • people notice our testimonies
  • pray for our brothers and sisters
  • proof of our being chosen by God is in our daily lives
  • we are to be imitators, to turn from ourselves, and to await Jesus’ return

I look forward to going through the next chapter with you all!

1 Thessalonians Day 4

1:8-10

8: For not only has the Word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia,but your faith in God has gone for the everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

Their witness has been noticed by not only the people in their town, but by those in the surrounding areas as well.

9: For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

The other people knew what kind of people the Thessalonians were and noticed their change of heart. People notice when we change how we act.

10: and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

The Thessalonians are also waiting for the return of Jesus. Paul reminds us that Jesus is the Son of God who was raised from the dead. This should point our thoughts towards the cross and how Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose three days later as Savior and conqueror over sin! Jesus rescues us from the wrath of hell (which contrary to popular belief is not ruled by satan, instead it is eternal punishment for all who do not believe and the wrath of God is the burning fire.)

This is the end of chapter one! That feels fast, but chapter one was only ten verses so that makes sense. chapter two is twenty verses so we’ll stay there a little longer. Tomorrow will be a review day 1) because I feel like reviews are helpful, especially when the reading is done in small doses like this and 2) I’m already behind in translating the Greek (Greek is not my forte) so an extra day to catch up will be wonderful and helpful. Hopefully I’ll be able to start adding my Greek findings in with these posts, but I’m not that confident in my Greek at this point so we’ll see. Anyway, thanks for reading and I pray that God can use this study to help you know Him more!

And any questions/comments can be emailed to rerouted.blog@gmail.com

1 Thessalonians Day 3

1:6-7

6: And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the Word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit

It can help us if we find other more mature Christians who follow God and learn from them. They can often teach us things that we need to know and help us learn how to go through our trials. Ultimately we imitate Christ and imitating Him precedes how we imitate others. Paul was driven out from Thessolonica due to persecution so his mention of them receiving the Word in affliction makes sense. However, they had the joy of the Holy Spirit which aided both in imitation and during their afflictions.

7: so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia

We are always influencing the people around us. Just as the Thessalonians were influenced by Paul, Silas, and Timothy, they are now influencing other believers not only in Thessalonica, but also in the surrounding areas.

As Christians, we need to realize the influence that we have on those around us. If we are Christians, yet have a spiteful and vengeful attitude towards others, that is not showing the Gospel and will negatively reflect on Christ and fellow believers. I’m sure we all can think of at least one person who claims to be a Christian yet affects others negatively. Instead, we need to seek others who can be good examples to us and imitate them. Ultimately our goal is to imitate Jesus and He gives us people who can help us with that (as well as His Word and prayer.) We should seek to be good examples to others and point them to our glorious savior Jesus Christ! I know none of us are perfect, but if our focus remains on Christ, people will be able to see Him, even when we stumble.

1 Thessalonians Day 1

Intro and 1:1-2

As I mentioned yesterday, I am hoping to brush up on my Greek during this study. When I went through the first verse, I felt somewhat confident and then the second verse had me questioning myself. Anyway, this is going to be fun!

Author: Paul

Date Written: around 50 AD

Audience: The church at Thessalonica

Setting: Paul had to leave Thessalonica after planting a church sooner than he would’ve liked due to persecution.

1: Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

Excellent letter introduction. Paul gives his name as well as those who are with him, who he is writing to, and a greeting. Timothy was like an adopted son to Paul and Silvanus, better known as Silas, was on one of Pauls’ traveling companions on his missionary journeys.

2: We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers

Although Paul had to leave early, he had heartily prayed for the Thessalonians. He lets them know that he thanks God for them and is praying for them.

Reading verse two always reminds me of how I should be praying for others and letting them know that I am praying for them. It is not to sound conceited, but so that they may be encouraged knowing that there are people praying for them. I know that I am always encouraged when someone tells me that they are praying for me. As a matter of fact, someone today told me that they had been praying for me during my pregnancy (this was the first time we had met, but he worked the same place as my husband) and was happy to see that I, and my daughter, are doing well. It was neat to know that someone I had never even met before had been praying for me.

God calls us to pray for those around us. We are to pray for family, friends, neighbors, strangers, and leaders. We are told to pray without ceasing. There are different kinds of prayer that range from prayers of thanksgiving to prayers of mourning. A study on different prayers would be fun to do in the future as well as quite edifying. I’m not sure about you, but I can always grow more in the area of prayer.

As for where we see Christ in this, His name is mentioned. (I try to see an application as well as point to where we see Christ, although it may be a little more difficult since I am working through two verses at a time.) The Thessalonians are in God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ meaning that they are saved by and have given their lives to Him.

{At the current rate of two verses a day, we can expect this study to last 44-45 days. I may add more verses here and there or shorten it to one if there is a lot to go over, but we will see. As mentioned yesterday, my schedule is getting busier so that is why the pace has slowed down. Thank you and God bless!}

New Study

I’ve decided to jump to a book of the Bible that I had been studying last year for my next study. The book is 1 Thessalonians. The pace will be a little slower because I will be busier these upcoming months. The plan is to go through at least two verses a day. I also hope to brush up on a little bit of my Greek during this study.

The book of 1 Thessalonians was written by Paul to the church at Thessalonica. It answers some questions regarding sanctification and the second coming of Jesus. I plan to start the study tomorrow and continue until we get through all of 1 Thessalonians. I look forward to studying with you!