Paul is most likely writing one of his earliest letters to this young church that was both growing and facing struggles. He starts off his letter with his commendation for the church in Thessalonica and mentions three foundational aspects of the church. He commends them for their reception of God's Word, their active discipleship, and their evangelistic impact. As we also embark on our journey as a relatively young church with our own struggles and challenges, it is important to ingrain these foundational aspects for ourselves in order to grow and thrive.