We often read the Bible to learn how to live; how to please God. But the Bible is not just an instruction book on how to live any more than The Lord of the Rings is an instruction book on how to defeat Souron. The Bible uses different literary tools to engage us, to inspire us and to entangle us in a life long journey of relationship with our creator. Understanding wisdom literature and how it's used in the Bible is part of that journey. And while there are parts that are didactic (teaching) it's more like learning to dance with a partner. The longer you're engage in the dance the more intune you'll be on the journey.
Part 4 covers chapter 5 in Marty Solomon’s book, Asking Better Questions of the Bible.

The more familiar you are with the organization of the process the better the outcome. The Hebrew Bible, called the TaNaKh, is the Bible Jesus used (at least the Torah and the Nevi'im, the Ketuvim came later). It contains the same books as our Old Testament only, they are arranged differently. The Hebrew bible is arranged to end with Chronicles, a book of hope and about the future promise of the Messiah (having not yet come). But we rearranged the OT to end with Malachi, a book containing a curse we assume is based on the Jewish people missing the Messiah. While our Old Testament is inspired it's reorganized, some believe for a purpose. But knowing how the ancient Jewish people viewed the TaNaKh (our Old Testament) helps us better understand God.
Part 3 covers chapter 4 in Marty Solomon’s book, Asking Better Questions of the Bible.

Part 2 covers chapter 3 in Marty Solomon’s book, Asking Better Questions of the Bible.
The Bible was written for us, but it wasn’t written to us. It isa Jewish work from start to finish. It was written to and from a Jewish world working with Jewish assumptions and employing Jewish cultural influences. When we understand the literary devices the authors used we’ll better understand the God the Bible is pointing us to.

Part 1 covers chapters 1 & 2 in Marty Solomon’s book, Asking Better Questions of the Bible.
We read the bible best when we understand that we are literary tourists. The bible was written for us (as in humanity) but it wasn't written to us, English speakers in America. We can't truly understand the bible if we fail to try and understand the conversation the bible is having between the author and the audience. As followers of Jesus, knowing the bible is not our goal, knowing God is. If you memorize the words but miss The Word you've missed the point.

Paul wraps up his first letter to this fledging church by reminding them to be strong because those persecuting them with will repaid when Jesus returns. But we don't have worry, we just have to wait and while we're waiting bring others into the light.

Sanctification, the journey to becoming more like Jesus, starts when we believe in Him and doesn't end until we encounter Him. A significant area of sanctification for Christian believers is sexual purity, abstaining from all forms of sexual immorality. Sexual immorality is described by the Bible as any sexual act outside the boundary God placed in the Garden of Eden - that only accommodates one man and one woman in a committed marriage relationship. To reject sanctification and excuse personal sin is to disrespect God, as His will is for us to be sanctified.

Terry will be filling in for Corey

Alan Funk will be filling in for Corey.

The new believers in Thessaloniki got a lot of things right, but they got a few things wrong. Paul and Timothy spent so little time there before being chased off they were unable to answer every question and teach much beyond King Jesus Gospel. Because of this Paul must correct some misunderstanding and offer some clarification to the things they thought they were doing right. In chapter 4 Paul uses 2 words to help them understand the return of Jesus that will shape our understanding as well.

In Chapter 2 Paul begins to unpack what it means to be a part of the family of God for the new followers in Thessaloniki. He understands that family can be challenging but also that family is supposed to be caring and ultimately they help us be our best. But that doesn't mean that family won’t sometimes be a struggle. But when you’re a part of God’s family it’s not about me or you it’s about US.