| How long does it take to plant a church? In some circumstances it has taken years. In other places there have been immediate results. In Thessalonica Paul did it in three weeks! Paul visited Thessalonica for the first time on his second missionary journey and stayed only 3 weeks. Because a riot started, he had to leave under cover of darkness. But already quite a large number found Christ, including Jews, Greeks, both men and women and the church was formed. Some time later Paul heard the church was being persecuted by Jews as well as facing other oppositions. Several letters also seem to have been written to the church, which were forgeries, and not from Paul himself. Paul sensed their need of encouragement and the need to correct several wrong views concerning Christ's second coming and the resurrection. These two letters (written from Corinth) are probably the earliest epistles we have from Paul's huge correspondence. Why should we study these letters today? Because our needs are the same as theirs. We all need encouragement. We all need a right view of Christ's return and associated events. We need to be warned of false teachers. These letters are as relevant for us as they were for that first century church. As you read these two letters, try to bring them into your world, your church, and your own life. Try to apply whatever truth comes home to you as you read. Remember what James said: "Do not merely listen to (read) the Word. Do what it says." (James 1:22 NIV) | 
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