Abide | 6 Months in the New Testament - Daily Readings From the Bible Sample

Prayer

You’ll take a few minutes to read through today’s passages in just a moment. Before you do, start with a simple prayer like this:

“God, I invite you into this moment and ask that you open my heart to Your Word. Help me to know you deeply through it, and let your truth transform my heart, mind, and soul today.”

Once you finish your reading, take a few moments to walk through P.R.A.Y.

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P - PAUSE to be still. Meditate on what you’ve just read, allowing it to sink in.

R - REFLECT on Scripture. What was God saying to you today through His Word? Speak aloud a verse to remember, and maybe even write it down.

A - ASK for God’s help. The challenge is to be with Jesus and become more like Him. How does today’s Word challenge you to do that?

Y - YIELD to His will in your life. God lovingly invites you into His beautiful plan for you, His church, and the world. Take up His invitation to live differently; understanding His plan is beyond anything we could ask or imagine.

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Some Context on Colossians

Who Wrote the Book of Colossians?

Christian tradition holds that the Apostle Paul wrote the book of Colossians.

Who was the Book of Colossians written for?

This letter is written to the church in a Roman town called Colosse. It is unclear if the apostle Paul had ever been to this church at the time the letter was written.

Context

The events described in Colossians take place in the city of Colossae. Colossians was likely composed while Paul was in custody in Rome between 60 and 64 C.E. Paul had received a report of the situation at Colosse by way of Epaphras (Col 1:7-8). This report was, for the most part, favorable (Col 2:5). But the subject matter in the epistle strongly suggests that the church was facing the danger of sliding back into paganism or succumbing to heresy regarding Christ’s divinity and the significance of circumcision.

Literary Styles

The book of Colossians is a letter written in prose discourse to the churches in Colossae.

Key Themes

1. Jesus as King over all creation
2. Liberation through Jesus
3. Freedom in the Messiah

Structure

Colossians can be divided into four parts. Chapters 1:1-23 begin with Jesus as head of the new humanity. 1:24-2:5 focuses on Paul’s suffering. 2:6-23 addresses cultural pressures in Colossae. Chapters 3-4 describe examples of Jesus’ self-giving love.

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Some Context on 1 Thessalonians

Who Wrote the Book of 1 Thessalonians?

Christian tradition holds that the Apostle Paul wrote the book of 1 Thessalonians. This is the first of two letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonians.

Who was the Book of 1 Thessalonians written for?

This letter is written to the church at Thessalonica, which Paul helped establish in Acts 17. 1 Thessalonians is considered one of Paul's earliest epistles, if not the first.

Context

The events described in 1 Thessalonians take place in the city of Thessaloniki (or Thessalonica). 1 Thessalonians was likely composed during Paul’s second missionary journey between 48 and 52 C.E. The abrupt departure from Thessalonica so soon after the beginning of the church naturally left Paul anxious about the condition of the believers there. When Timothy joined Paul at Athens (cf. Ac 17:14-16), his concern prompted Paul to send Timothy at once back to Thessalonica to encourage and ground the new disciples in the faith and to learn how they were enduring persecution (cf. 1Th 3:1-5). He returned with a good report of their faith, so Paul writes to encourage and instruct them in Holy living.

Literary Styles

The book of 1 Thessalonians is a letter written in prose discourse to the churches in Thessaloniki.

Key Themes

1. Holiness in all of life
2. Jesus as the true King of the world
3. The hope of Jesus’ return

Structure

1 Thessalonians can be divided into two parts. Chapters 1-3 begin by celebrating the Thessalonians' faith and perseverance. Chapters 4-5 follow with instructions about good living and details about the return of Jesus.