Posts

"Embracing the Darkness" October 4 Readings: 2 Thessalonians 1-3

By
Image
  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 :   2 Thessalonians 1-3 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     2 Thessalonians was written not long after the first letter and it continues the same themes. This book deals extensively with issues related to the end of time and the coming of Christ. Chapter 2 focuses primarily on the great deception that accompanies the coming of the antichrist at the time of the end. It is notable that Paul does not teach on the end times to foster morbid curiosity or arouse some kind of imbalanced interest in details. His teachings on the end times al...
Post a Comment
Read more

"He Will Do It" October 3 Readings: 1 Thessalonians 5

By
Image
  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 5  In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     This passage concludes the book of 1 Thessalonians with several powerful teachings. It begins with a section about the "day of the Lord" - a general reference to the end times. Because we do not know when the Lord is coming, we are admonished always to be ready. The final section contains a rapid-fire series of commands from Paul to the church, containing many brief but powerful teachings. Verses 16-19 are especially memorable. The closing benediction in verses 23-24 rem...
Post a Comment
Read more

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

By
Image
  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 ...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Walking the Tightrope" October 1 Readings: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13

By
Image
  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...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Caring for Souls" September 30 Readings: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8

By
Image
  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...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Our Offensive Gospel" September 29 Readings: Acts 17:16-18:22

By
Image
  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...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Barnabas to Paul to Timothy" September 28 Readings: Acts 16:1-17:15

By
Image
  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 ...
Post a Comment
Read more