10 days
The letters as real letters
Philippians, Philemon and 1 Thessalonians in ten days: mail from Paul to people he knew and missed.
The letters in the Bible are real letters, with a sender, greetings and personal worries. They are best read in one go, the way the first readers heard them: read aloud in a living room. So one chapter a day, and the whole letter where possible. Read Acts 16 and 17 alongside: they tell how the churches in Philippi and Thessalonica began.
0 of 10 days read
- Day 1Read Philippians 1
A letter from prison
Paul is in prison, probably in Rome (some think of Ephesus or Caesarea). Still he thanks God for the people in Philippi, the first church he founded in Europe (Acts 16). Living or dying, it makes no difference to him: 'for to me to live is Christ'.
Paul is thankful for people. Who are you thankful for today?
- Day 2Read Philippians 2
The song of the humble Christ
In the middle stands a song (2:6–11), perhaps already sung by the first Christians: Christ made himself small, became human and died on a cross, and God has exalted him. Paul says: that is how you should treat one another.
Where could 'counting others more important than yourself' become concrete this week?
- Day 3Read Philippians 3
All loss, for Christ
Paul lists what he used to be proud of: his descent, his piety. Now he calls it loss, compared with knowing Christ. He has not arrived yet, he says, but he presses on towards the goal, like a runner.
Where do you get your worth from? And what would it mean to find it in Christ?
- Day 4Read Philippians 4
Rejoice always
Paul asks two women, Euodia and Syntyche, to make peace. He thanks them for a gift and writes that he has learned to be content, in need and in plenty. That is where 4:13 belongs: 'I can do all things through Christ', not a sports slogan but contentment.
Paul 'learned' to be content. What helps you to learn that?
- Day 5Read Philemon 1
A letter about one slave
Paul's shortest letter. Onesimus, a slave of Philemon, has ended up with Paul and become a Christian. Paul sends him back with a request: receive him no longer as a slave, but as a beloved brother (verse 16). How it ended we don't know for sure.
What changes between people when they see each other as brother or sister in Christ?
Away from the idols
Probably the oldest letter of Paul that we have, around AD 50, and so one of the oldest texts in the New Testament. The church in Thessalonica is young: people who 'turned to God from idols' and now wait for Jesus.
How would people notice that you are waiting for Jesus?
Like a mother, like a father
Paul had to leave the city in a hurry (Acts 17). He defends himself against slander and tells how he was among them: gentle as a mother caring for her children, encouraging as a father. He worked night and day so as not to be a burden to anyone.
From whom did you learn the faith? How did they do it?
Good news from Timothy
Paul could bear it no longer and sent Timothy to see how things were. He comes back with good news: they are standing firm. Paul is relieved and prays that their love will grow even more. A letter full of concern and joy, as between friends.
Who could you pray for this week, or ask after?
Those who have fallen asleep
Some believers have died, and the others wonder what will happen to them when Jesus returns. Paul comforts them: those who have fallen asleep in Jesus are not lost. Christians differ on exactly how to read the images of his return; the comfort is the same for all.
Paul says: 'comfort one another with these words'. Whom could you comfort?
- Day 10Read 1 Thessalonians 5
Pray without ceasing
The day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night, so stay awake. Then a row of short instructions: rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything. And a greeting: 'greet all the brothers with a holy kiss'. That is how a real letter ends.
Which of the short instructions at the end would you like to practise this week?