Those who began the “5x5x5 New Testament Bible Reading Plan” by Navigators in January will begin reading the book of 1 Thessalonians on about October 15.
A little background for the church in Thessalonica can be found in Acts 16:1-17:15.
Paul wrote this letter to the Thessalonians to praise the new converts for standing strong against the persecution they faced so quickly after they became believers. He encouraged them in their trials. This letter also addresses the future return of Christ.
Those who began the “5x5x5 New Testament Bible Reading Plan” by Navigators in January will begin reading the book of John on about October 17.
The book of John written by the Apostle John, was the last of the Gospels to be written. John wrote to encourage new Christians and those curious about the Christian faith. He focused on both Christ’s humanity and his deity describing Christ as the Creator and the Word that became flesh.
John uses many symbols to describe Christ including bread, water, light, life, word, shepherd, door, and the way. Many consider John to be the theologian when compared with the other three Gospels which focus more on the events surrounding Jesus’ life and ministry. Over 90 percent of the Gospel of John is unique to this Gospel, not included in the other three.
Those who began the “5x5x5 New Testament Bible Reading Plan” by Navigators in January will begin reading the book of 1 Peter on about October 10.
The apostle Peter wrote First Peter to encourage the Christians who were suffering from persecution for their beliefs and new way of life and worship. Peter’s letter includes directions on how to conduct their lives in the situations in which these Christians may find themselves. He encourages them with Christ’s example of love for us.
Those who began the “5x5x5 New Testament Bible Reading Plan” by Navigators in January will begin reading the book of 1 John on about September 29. The next books are 2 John and 3 John. All are very short books.
In John’s first letter he focuses on ways Christ followers can be assured they belong to him. It includes examples of what obedience to Christ looks like and examples of false believers. I especially like 1 John 5:13 which says “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
2 John addresses the importance of supporting traveling evangelists and teaches Christians how to discern true evangelists from false teachers.
3 John is a personal letter to a dear friend Gaius. It too emphasizes the importance of discerning good teachers from false teachers.
