Introduction and Scripture for March 7
Introduction to today’s Scripture
We are going to ancient Greece today, specifically to a large, bustling seaside city called Thessalonica. It was a newly-built city in 315 B.C., King Cassander commissioned it and named it after his wife! When Rome conquered the island in the first century, Thessalonica became the capital city of the northern province of Macedonia; it had a population of around 200,000 and once the Romans built a large harbor there it became as important trade hub that connected Europe and Asia.
This beautiful city was one of the stops on the Apostle Paul’s itinerary for his second missionary trip. Timothy and Silas were with him. If you are someone who enjoys traveling, Thessalonica is one of the few New Testament cities still around today. It is a relaxed city, rich with historic sites, modern museums and frequent festivals.
We are going to ancient Greece today, specifically to a large, bustling seaside city called Thessalonica. It was a newly-built city in 315 B.C., King Cassander commissioned it and named it after his wife! When Rome conquered the island in the first century, Thessalonica became the capital city of the northern province of Macedonia; it had a population of around 200,000 and once the Romans built a large harbor there it became as important trade hub that connected Europe and Asia.
This beautiful city was one of the stops on the Apostle Paul’s itinerary for his second missionary trip. Timothy and Silas were with him. If you are someone who enjoys traveling, Thessalonica is one of the few New Testament cities still around today. It is a relaxed city, rich with historic sites, modern museums and frequent festivals.
SCRIPTURE LESSON: From I Thessalonians 1
From Paul, Silas, and Timothy, to the church in Thessalonica.
2 We always give thanks to God for you, holding all of you in our prayers, constantly.
3 We remember your work of faith, labor of love, and steadfast hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 The gospel message we shared with you, you joyfully received; you were filled with conviction and the Holy Spirit…
6 You then became imitators of Jesus and us, even though that brought you great persecution. You became an example to all the believers in the northern province of Macedonia and in the southern province of Achaia.
8 You have boldly broadcast the Gospel not only on your island but elsewhere; and your own faith in God has become well known, so much so that when we arrive in a new city we have no need to speak about it.
9 For the people of those regions report to us how you turned to God from multiple idols, and began to live for and serve the One living and true God.
From Paul, Silas, and Timothy, to the church in Thessalonica.
2 We always give thanks to God for you, holding all of you in our prayers, constantly.
3 We remember your work of faith, labor of love, and steadfast hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 The gospel message we shared with you, you joyfully received; you were filled with conviction and the Holy Spirit…
6 You then became imitators of Jesus and us, even though that brought you great persecution. You became an example to all the believers in the northern province of Macedonia and in the southern province of Achaia.
8 You have boldly broadcast the Gospel not only on your island but elsewhere; and your own faith in God has become well known, so much so that when we arrive in a new city we have no need to speak about it.
9 For the people of those regions report to us how you turned to God from multiple idols, and began to live for and serve the One living and true God.