Tuesday, June 20
Share our own lives
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2
1 Thessalonians 2:7–8 Like a nursing mother caring for her own children, 8 with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
Observation
Paul used family metaphors—like a nursing mother caring for her own children (7) and like a father treats his own children (11-12)—to express his love for the Thessalonians and their shared life together.
He emphasizes his affection for them multiple times, including twice in verse 8—“with such affection for you” and “you had become so dear to us.”
Paul’s love for them led him to share not only the gospel, but also “our own lives.” Share our own lives…
Application
Last night, we visited with Laina’s siblings and spouses at our reunion. Jim, a friend of Regg and Cindy’s from 1982 when they lived on Maui, dropped by to visit. They talked about those early days in their church, Kumulani Chapel, which we all attended on Sunday. They specifically mentioned the close community they enjoyed, hanging out together in each other’s homes, doing life together, and their intention to be an Acts 2 church.
That is a common trait of young and growing churches. I remember the same thing at Faith Center when Laina and I were newly married—we still have lifelong friends from those days. We’ve seen the same thing at Life Center over the years as young people, in particular, do life together.
But it’s not limited to young people. Any or all of us can open our hearts and homes and lives to each other. We can share our own lives. And when we do, powerful things happen—Acts 2 church happens.
I came away from last night’s conversation and this morning’s reading with a renewed desire to share our lives together in Christian community.
Prayer: Lord I love you and I want to love better the people You’ve placed in my life. I pray that Your people will enjoy Acts 2 community not just when they are young, but all along the journey! Take time to linger…
More: 2 Kings 25, Psalm 72, 2 Thessalonians 3