Prayer
Worship
Review
Paul's Letters to Churches
How to read epistles
What does it mean for them? What situations are the same for us? How then should I live as a citizen of the kingdom of God?
Are there certain principles of ministry that Jesus is modeling that would be appropriate for us to imitate in our ministries?
What does the passage teach about theology?
Ephesians 3:8-9
Romans
Rome was the center of the Empire
Written in early 57
Outline:
1. Greetings 1:1-7
2. The Gospel
- Man is separated from God by sin 1:18-3:20
- Jesus brought us reconciliation with God 3:21-5:21
- The holy spirit changes us from sinners to children of God 6-8
- God gets the glory for the plan of salvation 9-11
3. Response to the gospel (application/practices) 12-15
4. Specific greetings to Roman Christians 16
Famous theme passages:
1:8-17
15:14-19
Also the Romans Road
1 Corinthians
Corinth was a famous port. Paul lived there for a year and a half.
Written in spring of 55
Outline
1. Greetings and encouragement 1:1-9
2. Against immaturity in faith 1:10-6:20
- Rebellious against leadership 1:10-4:21
- Sexual sin, legal battles 5-6
3. More specific response to his earlier letter 7-10
- Marriage, divorce, etc.
- Eating meat dedicated to idols 8-10
4. Asks for order in worship
- Head coverings and authority 11:1-6
- Communion 11:17-34
- Spiritual gifts 12-14
- About the resurrection 15
- Greeting one another 16
Famous theme passages:
Life in the church
The fruits of repentence
Spiritual gifts
Love, the highest gift 13
Communion 11:23-26
2 Corinthians
Assert his authority while also taking a softer tone than his visit 2:1
Written early 56
Outline
1. Reconciling with the church 1-7
2. Offering for Jerusalem 8-9
3. Paul's authority as an apostle 10-13
Famous theme passages:
Vision of heaven but weakness 12:1-10
Galatians
Galatia is not a single place but a region. This letter is sometimes called a "mini Romans"
Written in later 56
1. Galatian misunderstanding of the Gospel 1:1-10
2. The Law vs. Grace 1:11-2:21
3. Salvation by faith vs. salvation by works 3
4. Slaves and children inheritors 4
5. Works of the flesh and fruits of the spirit 5
6. What a Christian community should look like 6
Famous theme passages:
5:16-25
Ephesians
Ephesus was a highly religious city. There came to be an important church and said to be the last place of John and Mary
Written late summer 58
1. Mission in Christ 1-3
- Identity 1
- Grace 2:1-10
- Peace 2:11-22
- Paul's mission 3:1-13
- Paul's prayer 3:14-21
2. Walking in Christ 4-6
- Walking in unity 4:1-16
- Walking different than the world 4:17-31
- Walking carefully 5:1-21
- Walking in love 5:22-6:9
- When you can't walk, stand 6:10-24
Famous theme passages:
Grace 2:8-9; 4:25-32
Peace 2:14; 4:3
Love 2:4; 1:15; 3:17; 5:2
Walk worthy of the calling 4:1
Armor of God 6:10-20
Philippians
Roman colony and old military base
Written spring 58
Outline
1. Rejoice! Christ is life 1
2. Rejoice! Christ is our model 2
3. Rejoice! Christ is glory 3
4. Rejoice! Christ is power 4
Famous theme passages:
2:6-11 << memorize this gospel presentation
4:4-13
Homework
Colossians
Thessalonica 1/2
Prayer and worship to finish.