Today we start a study through the New Testament book titled 1st Thessalonians. What is 1st Thessalonians? Turn to Acts 17, because there’s a back story we need to hear if we want to answer the question “What is 1st Thessalonians?” In Acts 17, the Christian church is only about 20 years old. What JesusContinue reading “A new house church network begins, and right away there is trouble – 1 Thessalonians 1:1–3, Part 1”
Tag Archives: house church
How to study scripture like the first Christians – Studying scripture together, Part 5
As we think about studying scripture together, I want to point out an interesting episode in the early church that occurs during one of Paul’s mission trips. In Acts 17:10-12, we learn that, “As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the JewishContinue reading “How to study scripture like the first Christians – Studying scripture together, Part 5”
How judging killed a discipleship effort in the local church – Holding others accountable, Part 2
Over the years in my church family, people have raised the concern about Jesus’ teaching, “Do not judge” on more than one occasion. “Who are we to judge one another,” people say. It sounds very spiritual. But I think they are interpreting Jesus incorrectly. The first occasion people raised the concern about judging was probably 20Continue reading “How judging killed a discipleship effort in the local church – Holding others accountable, Part 2”
The earliest Christians were not perfect. But they do help us think about… Meeting together, Part 4
It is normal for pastors and church leaders to be idealistic about church, as we want our churches to be all that God wants us to be. In pursuit of the ideal, we often look to the early church as perfect. They were not perfect. But they definitely give us an excellent example, especially about how to meetContinue reading “The earliest Christians were not perfect. But they do help us think about… Meeting together, Part 4 “
Engaging Scripture 