Paul loved the churches he helped guide on his missionary journeys. He didn’t just go to their gatherings, preach a good word and give instruction, then leave. When he left, he left behind a piece of his own heart.  That’s what prompted his letters written to them. He wasn’t writing to ask for money or to send recommendations to other churches for a special engagement. Paul’s sole priority was to nurture that group of people into a deeper walk with Jesus Christ.

For the next few weeks, we will look at the first letter Paul wrote to one of those churches and look at how they compare to our own GATHERING.

1 Thessalonians 1: 1-2—Paul, Silvanus  (Latin name for Silas), and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace. 2We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers.  

Do you remember being in grade and learning the proper way to write a letter? Remember the parts?  Date-Address-Salutation-Body-Complementary Close-Signature. Paul was following the standard Greco-Roman letter format of signature—greeting—body.   However, Paul was writing to people he considered friends, so he “tweeked” the greeting just a bit.

Then Paul throws in the typical Jewish greeting of “peace.”