1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

The apostle Paul gave thanks for his friends in Thessalonica

Even though, as far as we know, none of them could play the harmonica.

They accepted the gospel with joy and stayed keen

Even though some of the people around them were quite mean. 

p29 KEEP ON GOING (On the Way 14+ Junction Books)

Thessalonica

This term at motiv8 we are going to be studying 1 Thessalonians. 

As well as (obviously) reading 1 Thessalonians and Acts 17, here are a few resources I have found helpful in orientating me as to where Thessalonica was (and is!!) and what was going on there:


Click on this map and you will clearly see where Thessalonica is:

This is helpful too, showing why it must have made such a good port:

Here is a map showing the Via Egnatia (the M1 of the day?):

And here is a short video that gives a pretty good intro into the scene at Thessalonica:

This is what wiki has to say about it.

Dads & Dating

With this needed challenge to our 'modern'  assumptions of what is Christian and what is 'wise' or 'best' ....  comes the wise warning that if we take the biblical pattern seriously, but in a wooden and block headed way, we will end up with 3 or 6 idiots involved in dating rather than just two. 

And that condition is worse than the first! 

Dating: Problem # 1

I am not sure if Harris' order is significant. Anyway, this is the one he highlights first. 

Dating tends to skip the friendship stage of a relationship

CS Lewis describes friendship as two people walking side by side towards a common goal. Harris suggests that dating, due to its focus on physical attraction, on the fact that you are now (in some sense) 'an item' or 'a couple',  can so easily lead to superficiality and to a stifling of the growth of the friendship. There is not that freeing aspect of being able to be yourself and do things together because you enjoy them because you are focusing too much on looks, the 'feelings' you have for each other etc.  (I Kissed Dating Goodbye, p38-39)

Dating: Problem # 2

Dating often mistakes a physical relationship for love. 
'many people believe that going out with someone means physical involvement' (you 'mark out' that you are 'dating' as opposed to being 'just friends' through things like kissing, cuddling, holding hands at least!) 
This physical involvement can make two people feel close and feel in love. But this doesn't equate to love. 
( I Kissed Dating Goodbye, p40)

After all: what does it mean to be 'in love'? 'Love' can, as a result, become a pretty weak idea, if you think about it .... downgraded to mean something like ... 'I feel sexually excited  and emotionally satisfied by you at this current moment in time'. If we were honest and said this rather than 'I love you' would our 'dating' last long do you think?

Dating: Problem # 3

'While Garreth and Jenny were dating, they didn't need anyone else. Since it meant spending time with Jenny, Garreth had no problem giving up Wednesday night Bible study with the guys. Jenny didn't think twice about how little she talked to her younger sister and mother now that she was dating Garreth. Nor did she realize that when she did talk to them, she was always saying something like ' Garreth this ...' and 'Garreth said such and such ...' Without intending to, both had foolishly and selfishly cut themselves off from other relationships. ( I Kissed Dating Goodbye)

Dating: Problem # 5

Dating can cause discontentment with God's good gift and good gifts in singleness: 

God gives us singleness - a season in our lives unmatched in its boundless opportunities for growth, learning, and service - and we view it as a chance to get bogged down in finding and keeping boyfriends and girlfriends. ( I Kissed Dating Goodbye p44)

Dating: Problem # 6

Joshua Harris has a chapter titled 'The Seven Habits of Highly Defective Dating'. This is number 6:

 'dating creates an artificial environment that doesn't require a person to accurately portray his or her positive and negative characteristics. On a date, a person can charm his or her way into a date's heart. He drives a nice car and pays for everything; she looks great. But who cares? Being fun on a date doesn't say anything about a person's character or ability to be a good husband or wife.' ( I Kissed Dating Goodbye p45)

too young to date?

put your energies where they count!

honour everyone!