Welcome to a year in the Bible with daily grace. My name is Kristen and my name is Katie and we want to spend a few minutes a day with you walking through the New Testament one chapter at a time.

This year we will fix our gaze upon Christ so that we may know

him, not only with our minds but with our hearts. Together we will learn that

who Jesus is changes everything.

Hey friends welcome back to a year in the Bible of Daily Grace.

My name is Katie and it's my joy to walk with you through First Thessalonians in our year-long

study of the New Testament.

Today we are studying First Thessalonians 1.

As always, you can follow along with the behold studies

in the Daily Grace Coast Shop

or with the reading plan linked in the show notes.

Take a moment with me to put yourselves in the shoes of the Thessalonians today.

You live in Thessalonika, it's a port city bustling with economic activity.

Marketplace are booming with diverse products from all over the known world.

The religious scene is also diverse.

There's a God for everything, from the weather to fertility to war.

But one day, as you walk through the marketplace and pass the Jewish temple,

you hear a message that you've never heard before. A humble

looking man shares about a man named Jesus, someone who died to set you free. A man who was also raised from the dead with the power

and authority of God. In this message, you find the answers to questions you didn't even know you were asking. You feel a tug on your heart and suddenly you become aware of your sin.

You find yourself surrendering to Jesus. Your life is made anew new and you become a follower of Jesus.

This man teaching you about your new faith, who you come to know as Paul,

...