It is simply human nature that the people in a church family will not always agree with one another. Hear what Paul has to say about that in 1 Thessalonians 5, verses 14–15, “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient withContinue reading “Christians have been discipled by outrage culture – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 4”
Tag Archives: relationships
Christians are to “live…with each other” – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 2
Have you ever heard of the Ephrata Cloister? The Cloister was a group of Christians who practiced communal living from 1732–1934. They viewed themselves as a kind of monastic (celibate) community, with noncelibate “householders.” Because I live about 20 minutes from the Cloister, I have toured it, and I find it an eerie experience, cult-like.Continue reading “Christians are to “live…with each other” – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 2″
Brotherly love is patient – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 4
Editor’s Note: I once again welcome Molly Stouffer as guest blogger. Molly is from Hagerstown, MD, studying Pastoral Ministries at Lancaster Bible College. When you’re watching TV and a commercial comes on, do you change the channel or wait for the show to come back on? When you’re watching a YouTube video and there isContinue reading “Brotherly love is patient – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 4”
When it comes sexual expression, men, we need to do better – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 4
In contemporary society, we are well aware of the ways in which people harm or take advantage of others sexually. Certainly in the context Paul wrote, and throughout most of human history, that harm, that taking advantage of, has moved in one direction. From males to females. In the vast majority of situations where thereContinue reading “When it comes sexual expression, men, we need to do better – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 4”
How to have the feeling of really living – 1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Part 4
This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 35 years who now works in international fair trade. Remember how Paul first met the people in Thessalonica? In Acts chapter 17, we read the story. Paul went to Thessalonica after he got out of prison in Philippi. HeContinue reading “How to have the feeling of really living – 1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Part 4”
The professional conference that led me to quit my job – 1 Thessalonians 2:1—3:5, Part 5
I attended a conference that changed my life. It wasn’t because the conference was so good and inspiring. That conference changed my life because it made me realize that I was in the wrong profession. It was spring 2002, and I was working in the fundraising department of a local seminary, not really sure whereContinue reading “The professional conference that led me to quit my job – 1 Thessalonians 2:1—3:5, Part 5”
The importance of submission to God…and people? – 1st Thessalonians 2—3:5, Part 1
Submission is not a welcome concept. I think of an MMA fighter who is dominated by their opponent, and they tap out, they submit. We humans generally do not like to submit. It makes us feel weak, inadequate, unworthy, flawed. We would much rather others submit to us. In this week’s study through 1st ThessaloniansContinue reading “The importance of submission to God…and people? – 1st Thessalonians 2—3:5, Part 1”
How to choose God – 1 Thessalonians 1:4–10, Part 4
How do we choose God? Do we just reach out hands to the sky? In contemporary Christianity, raising our hands to God is a common worship practice. Is that what God wants us to do to show him that we choose him? Or is their something else? Paul saw evidence of God choosing the Thessalonians,Continue reading “How to choose God – 1 Thessalonians 1:4–10, Part 4”
What do people say about you behind your back? – 1 Thessalonians 1:4–10, Preview
What do people say about you behind your back? You might answer, “I don’t know, because whatever they are saying, they are keeping it hidden from me. That is the definition of ‘behind your back’.” Okay, I’ll grant you that. But I won’t let you off the hook that easy. I suspect that most ofContinue reading “What do people say about you behind your back? – 1 Thessalonians 1:4–10, Preview”
Asking questions: a helpful model for confronting others – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 2
I hate confrontation. When I have to say something the least bit confrontational to a person, I get shaky and nervous and often say far less than I ought to. Do you know the feeling? I suspect that the majority of people do not enjoy confrontation, even those who are confident enough to confront. IContinue reading “Asking questions: a helpful model for confronting others – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 