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"Finding God's Will" October 2 Readings: 1 Thessalonians 4

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   1 Thessalonians 4 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Paul turns from personal remarks to teaching important truths to the Thessalonians, though still with a personal perspective. He admonishes the Thessalonians to obey God's will in abstaining from sexual immorality, to live quiet, godly, and productive lives, and to have the proper attitude about the coming of the Lord. It seems likely that some "second coming fever" had hit the church and some were dropping out of life to await the Lord's coming. That is why Paul told them to ...
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"Walking the Tightrope" October 1 Readings: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Paul continues his personal testimony of concern for the Thessalonians. He reminds them of his diligent labor for them and lauds their response to what he preached - that they received it not as simply Paul's words, but as the word of God. He explains how he sent Timothy to see them and has now received an encouraging word from him on his return that has lifted his spirits. He ends this section with a benediction, a prayer of blessing for their continued spiritual prosp...
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"Caring for Souls" September 30 Readings: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Remembering the books that Paul wrote on his missionary journeys is easier than you think. On his first journey, Paul wrote ONE letter. Galatians.  On his second journey, Paul wrote TWO letters. First and Second Thessalonians.  On his third journey, Paul wrote THREE letters. Romans. First and Second Corinthians.  On his fourth journey (the prison trip), Paul wrote FOUR letters. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon.  After his release, during h...
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"Our Offensive Gospel" September 29 Readings: Acts 17:16-18:22

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 17:16-18:22 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     One of the papers I did in my fourth year of Greek in seminary was on 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. In that passage, Paul says that he entered Corinth determined to know nothing but Christ and Christ crucified. It has been assumed by many that this was the result of Paul's "failure" in Athens, in which he attempted to debate with the philosophers in Athens. As the theory goes, he realized his mistake in trying the intellectual approach and entered Corinth determined to preach the gospel...
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"Barnabas to Paul to Timothy" September 28 Readings: Acts 16:1-17:15

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 16:1-17:15 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     After splitting from Barnabas, Paul took Silas and went back out on his second missionary journey. Paul headed by to Galatia, where at Lystra he met a young man who would become his key assistant, Timothy. He tried to go first to Asia (Asia Minor - Ephesus and surrounding areas), then to Bithynia, but was redirected by the Spirit both times. Then in a dream, he was called to go to Macedonia. There he planted churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. He moved down the coast ...
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"Real People" September 27 Readings: Acts 15

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 15 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Irresistible force, meet immovable object! When Saul of Tarsus met Jesus, the passion with which he persecuted the church became the force with which he proclaimed Christ, and nothing was going to stop him, not even his Jewish critics. Paul's first journey was a great success as many Gentiles came to Christ, but he also encountered growing opposition from the circumcision party. He wrote the book of Galatians to forcefully confront their false teachings and to remind the Jewish leaders ...
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"The Spirit vs. the Flesh" September 26 Readings: Galatians 5-6

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Galatians 5-6 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Galatians 5 is one of those mountaintops of the Bible and one of the formative texts for my ministry. It begins with a strong rebuke to the Galatians who had begun so well, being saved by grace, but had now turned toward the law of God to try to live in the flesh. Verse 12 is probably the strongest thing Paul says in any of his letters, wishing those who pushed circumcision and the Jewish law would just go all the way - emasculating themselves. It shows how strongly Paul feels abo...
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