April 2023 Reflections
We finished 1Thessalonians in April and will start 2Thessalonians in May. I will finally teach a passage I’ve avoided for a long time: Paul’s discussion of the end times in chapter 2. It will be interesting!
08 How to Deal with Difficult People at Church (1 Thessalonians 5:12-28)
Paul closes this letter with what appears to be an arbitrary list of exhortations. However, the list follows a theme, as Paul explains how a church community should treat each other.
Who are you listening to?
Today we often seek preachers who tell us stories, make us laugh, and tickle our ears with poetry and platitudes. We would rather listen to Jon Stewart than Jonathan Edwards. We ought to think critically about how far we have slipped down the slope of valuing style over substance.
07 How to Be Ready for the Day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11)
Paul explains what it means to be alert, awake and prepared for judgment day: have faith. Christians know how the world will end and we do not have to fear it. Jesus died for us so that we might live with him.
Do we work at sanctification? A lesson in discernment
Examining the connection between ideas is a useful tool for Bible study and discernment. As practice in discernment, find the wrong turn in the following argument.
06 How to Handle Work as a Christian (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12)
Paul deals with a second issues related to how live as a Christian: work. His advice is strive to follow God, rather than impact the world.
What is sanctification?
As a new believer, I was confused about sanctification. My rather simple understanding was sanctification means your “sin-meter” is going down.
Easter: Why the Resurrection Must Be Real
On Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It matters whether something is real or not. It also matters whether an idea is true or not. The historical fact is Jesus rose from the dead, and it makes a difference that he did.
March 2023 Reflections
I avoided teaching 1&2Thessalonians for a long time, because of the passages on the end times (e.g 1Thessalonians 4 and 2Thessalonians 2). But I wanted to teach them because of Paul’s advice for living your life now in 1Thessalonians 4-5. Those passages seem particularly applicable in today’s upside world. I hope you learn as much as I did.
05 How to Follow Jesus with Your Sexuality in a World Ruled by Desire (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)
In 1Thessalonians 4, Paul addresses specific questions and issues in the Thessalonian church. First, Paul addresses how Christians should handle their sexuality. Then he tackles work.
04 How to Care About Souls More Than Success (1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13)
While Paul laments his inability to visit the Thessalonians, he rejoices over their faithful response to the gospel. Paul claims his crowning joy is seeing people like them respond to the gospel.
03 How to Spot a Faithful Bible Teacher (1 Thessalonians 2:1-16)
Paul explains how he conducted himself at Thessalonica and why his message his trustworthy. Today we face the same choice: whether or not to believe Paul.
About the Author
Krisan Marotta is a Bible teacher and host of Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.