This Is the New Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll continue reading the Pauline Epistles.
What Is 1 Thessalonians? The book of 1 Thessalonians is Paul’s letter of encouragement to the church in Thessalonica concerning their sustained faith in the midst of suffering. The letter served to correct misunderstandings about end-time events and to remind readers that continued sanctification is God’s will for them.
How 1 Thessalonians Fits Into the Story: First Thessalonians contributes to our understanding of the second coming of Christ. Paul wrote this letter to correct the church’s misunderstandings of this teaching and, in the process, showed that Christ’s eventual return gives us true hope in all circumstances. He also speaks to the practices that make us more like Christ.
Reflection Questions:
1. How can the acts of rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving train and develop believers to become more like Christ? How does this mindset provide comfort in every season?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
Helps keep on focus on Jesus rather than our circumstances. There is always something to rejoice in, pray and be thankful for. If I can get my focus off of myself, I’ll be living more freely.
We are children of light! Children of the day! We can rejoice always because our Father is faithful, and we can pray knowing that He will act.
Today’s verse: rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything AND the one from Colossians: He is before all things and keeps all things together…those two verses were my lifeline when I walked through a very deep valley in my life/family/marriage 5 years ago. It is so good to be reminded of them again when things are better and not so deep. He is with me through the good and the bad, He is going before me right now and knows exactly what is to come. My job is to keep praying, keep giving Him thanks and rejoice in my relationship with Him. Praise the Lord!
Please continue to pray for my relationship with my wayward daughter. After meeting with her two times, communication has most likely been cut off again. She was angry by my reaction to her lifestyle. She so much wants me to validate the sinful choices she is making and I have lovingly told her that I cannot do that as her mom because I love her too much. She doesn’t understand and is angry, although she knows that she is rebelling against God and so therefore has refused to believe there is even a God. In order to justify her lifestyle she denies the existence of God. My heart was sad the last time we were together but I was also very much at peace because I felt like I said the things that I needed to say to her and I felt God’s presence. He is in control and I turn it all over to Him. He is greater that the World and I am so very thankful for that.
Laura I’m praying for you and your situation with your daughter. The sermon at my church was on persistent prayer and how God rewards it and hears you and will answer you. Keep the faith!
Laura I will be praying for you and your daughter. Like Makenzie we have been studying prayer at church and I have been studying it on my own (highly recommend a book called PUSH- pray until something happens). I have seen with my own eyes the power of prayer even in a hopeless looking situation.
I haven’t done the reading yet but, catching up on yesterday.
To all those who highlighted: “He is before ALL THINGS and in Him ALL THINGS hold together! ” — thank you. I’m sti struggling these days re: the balance of protecting my heart/identity vs. “loving like Jesus” in a tough relationship and I need to give God control of my tongue, my body language,my actions, my ‘wisdom’ — ALL of it that things would be accomplished as HE sees fit…as He ordains. (Hubby wants me to give up TOTALLY on the situation.)
KRISTINE LOUGHMAN, TINA, JENNIFER WING, JIMIN, VICTORIA E, MELANIE, ADRIENNE, SARAHJOY, EMILY TYSON, MADISON, GINA, BRIDGET VASCHAK, MICHELE PATIRE, TRACI GENDRON, KRISTEN, ERB, AUDREN, (Sorry if I missed anyone that I have in mind)…KAITLIN SCHROEDER…I am praying AND praising alongside each of you ❤️
MAURA, I’m belting out the Lauren Daigle with you :)
To all the teachers and students, I’m praying for a great year ahead!
Thank you for praying Foster Mama. By any chance have you sought any advice from a pastor or elder at your church about the situation you are in?
Such encouraging words for the days in which we live.
Christ was always going to God the Father, He was one with the father. In the same way, we should keep going to God in every situation, whether it is to praise God, give thanks or ask for something. Then we become more like Christ through the work of the Spirit in our hearts. Isn’t it also very comforting to know that we have a Father who is always ready to listen and help us out in anything we need, any time of the day?
1 Thess 5 might be as close to using bullet points as Paul gets. What is our destiny? Salvation. What is God’s will? Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, be thankful in all circumstances.
Thank you so much for those praying for myself and my good friend. I feel God has given me overwhelming peace and is working in my heart so I may show grace even in the hurting/confusion. Thanks be to God for His overflowing mercies!
Amen! Wonderful news Emily Tyson.