The best guess of scholars is that 1 and 2 Thessalonians are the oldest of the Biblical epistles written by Paul. Did Paul write letters before these? It's highly likely, both in his role as a Jewish leader and his later role as an apostle. But of those gathered in the New Testament, the letters to the church at Thessalonica were likely written earlier than the others; the approximate dates of these letters are 52 or 53 AD — or around 20 years after the death and resurrection of Christ.
Paul's main purpose in writing to the church at Thessalonica seems to be encouragement. At the time Paul wrote these two letters, the church in this region would have been in a formation period — perhaps only a few months old. The believers there were likely dealing with many issues people of faith deal with today, including:
Paul spoke to these struggles to encourage the Thessalonians as they dealt with the growth pains of a new church and persecution from authorities and others. Paul constantly reminds his readers throughout these two letters to love each other and to have faith in God.
Here are some potential lessons for seniors from 1 and 2 Thessalonians.
In the opening to 1 Thessalonians, Paul remembers the work, labor and endurance of the church in this region as a way to encourage them to continue with these good things. But he reminds them that these are things that are done through and for God, not for self. They're tied to faith in Jesus and not simply for earthly purposes.
It's easy to get caught up counting the earthly outcomes of our efforts, such as what a retirement nest egg amounts to, whether we checked off every task on our list today or even whether we met a reading or walking goal. While goals are good for the believer, God always comes first.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:2, Paul says, "Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more." The thing he wants them to do in increasing amounts is live in order to please God. Paul actually uses the phrase "more and more" several times in these letters when talking about living a righteous life or building strong faith.
Believers today can still engage in this "more and more" practice, even older adults who have a long-standing relationship with Jesus. It's important to wake up daily looking for ways to practice a faith walk and not get discouraged if you don't follow through with every such intent perfectly. Practice may not make perfect in this world, but it moves you ever in the direction of Christ.
Paul reminds his readers in 1 Thessalonians 5:5, "You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness."
Obviously, this is a metaphor, as everyone lives in this world equally in physical day and night. With these words, Paul is reminding the Thessalonians — and the modern reader — to live as if they belong to the good and the light. That means remaining awake to spiritual truths so they can discern untruths. It also means living in hope in God rather than wallowing in anxiety and worrying about the things we have no control over.
Paul notes in 2 Thessalonians that the love the believers have for each other is increasing and that this is good. Loving others can be hard to do in this world, but it's part of what Jesus calls his followers to do. After all, when asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus said it's to love God. But the second-greatest commandment, he added, is to love your neighbor as yourself.
Whether you're living with family, independently in your own home or in an assisted living or independent living community, you can bet that God puts numerous opportunities in your life for you to love others. Older adults who are feeling tired, stressed or otherwise unable to fully love others can reflect on Paul's letters to the Thessalonians for encouragement in doing so "more and more."
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