This week we read all the books in the New Testament that begin with the letter "T." We begin with the two oldest writings in the New Testament: I and II Thessalonians. It is most notable that these letters are Paul's earliest writings, and they pre-date the four Gospels. As a reference point, Mark is the earliest Gospel, likely written in 60 AD. These letters are dated around 51 AD; a full decade before anything else in the New Testament; and just 20 years after the resurrection.

Notice the message; these letters do not offer an account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Rather, they proclaim the good news that Jesus died for our sins. They offer keen insight into the spread of the Gospel, the troubles the first evangelists faced, and what theological questions were brewing.

Consider looking up Acts 17 and reading it for context. Write in the margin: see Thessalonians. The next three books, I and II Timothy and Titus are categorized as Pastoral letters. These are written to leaders providing instruction, and functioning almost as a guidebook or manual.

These letters are not addressing churches, but rather individuals. They were written near the end of Paul's life. Note especially II Timothy which reads like a last will and testament. Paul seems to be tying up loose ends.

Of the pastoral letters, Eugene Peterson writes in The Message: "The best leadership in spiritual communities formed in the name of Jesus, the Messiah, is inconspicuous, not calling attention to itself, but not sacrificing anything in the way of conviction and firmness, either." Pay attention to how Paul encourages such leadership in these three letters.

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I give thanks this season for those who passed on the faith to me. In particular I lift up my fourth grade Sunday School teacher, Fran Forseman; a family friend, Nels Nelson; and the Chaplain at Gustavus Adolphus College, Richard Elvee. Of course, my mom and my grandparents were significant in my faith formation as well.

Take time this week to give thanks for those who went before you and who shined the light for you, revealing Jesus, the light of the world! They are the ones who, in important ways, paved the way for you to take on this Bible Read-Along! Praise be to God!