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Becoming a Christian is a wonderful thing, and at the centre is a wonderful new relationship with God, our heavenly Father. Just as in any relationship, communication between God and His people is vital. One way God speaks to us is through His Word, the Bible. As we read the Bible we are reading God's words. Reading and studying it helps us keeping going and growing in the Christian life. In this book Julia Marsden takes us through the Bible letter of 1 Thessalonians, to help listen to God's Word as we walk with Him. It is ideal for those just starting out in this relationship, or those much further down the line. Each day's devotions include some questions for further private study and reflection, and they are ideal for personal or group devotions.
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The Bible book we are going to read is a letter written about twenty years after Jesusā death and resurrection. It was written to a group of
new Christians. They lived in Greece in a city called Thessalonica. They had heard the message about Jesus, and had decided to follow Him. Perhaps you too are new to following Jesus.
Paul and his friend Silas (who is sometimes called Silvanus) had brought the message about Jesus to Thessalonica. Then Paul and Silas had had to leave. A short time later, this letter arrived in
Thessalonica.
ā¢Ā Have a look at the first verse. Who was writing this letter?
ā¢Ā Who were they writing to?
ā¢Ā What does this verse tell us about where these Christians lived?
So, Paul and his co-workers were writing to these new Christians. As we read on, we will see that they wanted to encourage these new believers to keep going in the Christian life. They also
wanted to reassure them in the face of the doubts and difficulties that had come their way.
ā¢Ā What is that little word āinā telling us?
Paul, Silas and Timothy are writing to āthe church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christā. That little word āinā tells us something very
important about what happens when you become a Christian.
It tells us that when you become a Christian, you become someone who lives in two places. This gathering of Christians (āchurchā just means gathering) were Thessalonians; they lived
in Thessalonica. But whether you live in Thessalonica or Tewkesbury or Tennessee, if you are a Christian you also live somewhere else. You also live āin God the Father and the Lord
Jesusā.
What does that mean? It means that you are now as close to God as it is possible to get. Wherever you are ā on the bus, in the kitchen, at work, wherever ā you are close to God and
secure in Him, whatever else happens to you. You are united to God in a way that nothing can destroy.
Thatās a great thought to take with you into your day and to thank God for.
ā¢Ā What did Paul and his co-workers want for this church?
Because of what Jesus had done for them on the cross, Godās grace had come to these Thessalonians. They, like every Christian, had received Godās free forgiveness for all their sins,
all their rebellion against God. So now they were at peace with Him. We too share this wonderful experience. God is no longer distant from us. He is right there with us, all the time, and will be
every day. Forever.
Paul and his friends wanted these new believers in Thessalonica to keep going as Christians. He wanted them to keep enjoying grace from God and peace with God, and peace with each other too.
This letter would encourage them to do just that. Pray that this letter would help you, too, to keep living in the grace and peace of God.
PRAY
ā¢Ā Thank God that you now live āin God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christā.
ā¢Ā Thank God that you have experienced Godās grace through trusting Jesus.
ā¢Ā Pray that this letter would help you to keep knowing Godās grace and peace.
A WORD ABOUT CHURCH
This letter was written to a church. The word āchurchā in the Bible never refers to a physical building. It always means a gathering of Christians. Godās plan is that
everyone who follows Jesus should be part of a local gathering of believers.
When God adopts us into His family, He brings us into a whole range of new relationships. We come to know God as our heavenly Father. We also find that every other believer is in this
family with us. They are our spiritual brothers and sisters. We need their love, support and encouragement, and they need ours. Following Jesus is not something God wants us to do on our
own.
It may be that you havenāt joined a local church fellowship yet. How should you choose which one to join?
Becoming a Christian means that you now trust Jesus as your Saviour and want to follow Him as your Lord. So you will need to know what He wants you to do. The way we do that is by
listening very carefully to His Word, the Bible. So, find a church which is teaching the Bible. When you visit, see what happens in the sermon or talk. Does the preacher or teacher carefully
explain what is in the Bible? Is the congregation encouraged to open a Bible during the sermon or talk and look at it carefully? If they are, that is a very good sign!
You also want to find a church which welcomes and supports you, and where you can serve others. Is there a Bible study group you can join? That will be a very helpful way of learning
and getting to know a small group of Christians really well.
Lastly, find a church where you would be happy to bring someone who is not yet a Christian. We want those we know to find out about Jesus too. Is the good news about Jesus as Saviour
and Lord clearly explained at the church? Is it a place which is easy to come to? If you find what goes on at the church embarrassing, strange or off-putting, probably your friend would
too.
Choose your church with care. Make meeting with your church family a priority. Donāt miss out on being there to hear Godās Word explained, and to encourage each other. You
need them, and they need you. God doesnāt want you to be on your own.
DAY 2
READ Acts 17:1ā15
Just before we read on in our letter, letās see what we can find out about these new Christians in Thessalonica. After all, this is a personal letter which was written to them in the first place. Knowing about them and their situation will help us understand the letter better.
Other parts of the Bible often help us understand the particular part we are reading. Another book in the Bible called Acts tells us how some of the first churches began. So reading Acts can often help us understand the letters which were written to these churches later on. That is certainly true of the church in Thessalonica. Today we read the account from the book of Acts of how the message about Jesus first came to Thessalonica.
ā¢ What happened during Paulās visit to Thessalonica?
Paul and his friends arrived in the city. They went to the Jewish synagogue and started speaking about Jesus Christ. They went there on three different weeks to do this. Some people wanted to become Christians. Others were furious. As a result, Paulās opponents caused a riot in the city. Some of these new Christians had a terrible time. Paul and Silas had to leave town under cover of night. The Christians encouraged them to go, seemingly for Paul and Silasā own safety.
ā¢ What did Paul do when he was in the synagogue in Thessalonica? (Look carefully at the words used to describe what Paul did.)
He āreasonedā¦ from the Scripturesā, āexplainingā, āprovingā, āproclaimingā, and āpersuadedā.
Words, words, words.
If you had been watching Paul, you would have seen him doing a lot of talking ā lots of words coming out of his mouth.
ā¢ What was the heart of his message?
Paul was telling them about Jesusā death and resurrection. He was explaining and proving that Jesusā resurrection showed that Jesus was Godās chosen King (that is what āChristā means) (v.3).
ā¢ What was the result of all this reasoning and explaining?
The message about Jesus always divides people. We can see that here in Thessalonica. There were two responses to what Paul said about Jesus:
1. Some were persuaded by his words and joined Paul (v.4). That is how people become Christians. You hear someone speaking words ā words about Jesus. You hear someone explain that Jesus is Saviour and Jesus is Lord. In one sense it seems very ordinary, just words.
But what is going on when people speak about Jesus is far from ordinary. We will see that as we read Paulās letter. Words about Jesus have the power to transform lives. Words about Jesus can bring people rescue from Godās judgement. But we need to respond to these words in the right way. In Thessalonica, some people did just that. Some people accepted Paulās message, and they became Christians too.
2. But others rejected the message and made trouble. There was violence against Christians ā accusations, danger, opposition, persecution. Following Jesus will always provoke opposition and hostility from some. Perhaps you have already found that yourself.
Words about Jesus are very powerful.
ā¢ Who told you about Jesus and all He has done for you? Thank God that this message has come to you. Ask God to help you to be a sharer of it too, whatever the cost.
ā¢ Who could you speak to? Pray for an opportunity to speak to that person about Jesus.
