5. Paul's Epistles
What is the main theme of Philippians?
Joy in Christ!
According to Galatians 3:26–29, when do we become the sons of God and the children of promise?
We become the sons of God when we are baptized into Christ and have put on Christ. We belong to Him, and through Him, we become the heirs according to the promise.
Which part does Jesus Christ represent in this body? (Eph 1:22) And what is the significance of this?
Jesus Christ is the head of the body. Just as the head of the body makes decisions and controls the rest of the body, Jesus Christ is the one who leads us where we should go.
When did affliction first enter the world?
It first entered when man sinned, fell short of the glory of God, and lost our father-son relationship with God. As a result, mankind became spiritually dead, and affliction entered the world.
“[So] then, let’s not sleep as others do, but let’s be ___ and ____.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6)
alert;sober
Name the four books that Paul wrote while imprisoned, under house arrest.
Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon
What is an important characteristic of the true gospel?
The true gospel was not created by man but came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Why is it important for the body to be made up of many members? (1 Cor 12:14)
No single member can function alone. Just as it is impossible for one body part to take care of the needs of the whole body, it is impossible for one person to do God’s work alone. The work of God’s ministry requires God’s children to work together in harmony.
What is the purpose of our affliction?
They are for the purpose of partaking in God’s glory and joy when He is revealed, for the testing of our faith to produce perfect results, and for the purpose of receiving the crown of life.
“But we have this treasure in _____ containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of the _____ will be of ____ and not from ourselves.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)
earthen; power; God
In Ephesians 3:1-6, what is the "mystery" that is being revealed?
Paul is referring to how the Gentiles are now able to receive salvation as well. While previously this was not understood, with the coming of Jesus Christ, we now understand that Jews and Gentiles alike have both been offered an equal chance for salvation (3:5–6).
Paul states that those who are under the Law are cursed (Gal 3:10). Why are those under the Law cursed? (Jas 2:10)
The Law is a curse because if you break one of the laws, you break all of them (Jas 2:10). So, if you want to be justified by the Law, you will be cursed by the Law, as we can't be perfect on our own.
How is the mystery of Christ related to the church? How does this connect the church to God’s salvation plan? (Eph 3:10)
It is only through the church that the mystery of Christ, or “the multifaceted wisdom of God,” is made known to all. God’s salvation plan for all mankind is found in the church, and the way to salvation is a message that the church must preach to all the people in the world.
Describe a characteristic of those who are of the night/darkness.
They will be caught unaware because they are in darkness. They are spiritually asleep or drunk, so they do not keep watch nor exercise self-control. They follow the lusts of the flesh and live in spiritual ignorance because of the hardness of their hearts.
“[Just] as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be ____ and _____ before Him [in] ____[.].” (______ 1:4)
holy; blameless; love; Ephesians
In Philemon, Paul wrote that Onesimus was now “useful” to his master. What did he mean by this?
Paul described Onesimus, who served the gospel by ministering to Paul, as his “son” and his “own heart.” Onesimus was formerly a useless slave but now was a beloved brother in Christ.
In addition to directly stating that the gospel comes from Jesus Christ, Paul used his personal testimony to defend the origin of the true gospel. His testimony can be divided into three events. Name one event to convince the members that the gospel is from Christ and not from man.
His persecution of Christians (Gal 1:13–16): Paul originally persecuted Christians but was called by God and set apart to preach to the Gentiles. This drastic change from persecuting Christians to being a preacher of the gospel of Christ can only come by a revelation from God.
His stay in Arabia (Gal 1:16–17): Paul did not speak with the other apostles but went to Arabia after he was called. This meant that the gospel he received was directly revealed to him by God.
His first visit to Jerusalem and Syria (Gal 1:18–24): Paul only met with Peter briefly and did not meet any of the other apostles. However, he was still able to preach the gospel to the Gentiles in Syria and Cilicia. By stating this, Paul was proving that the gospel had not been taught to him by man but rather given to him by God. In addition, the churches that heard of his preaching glorified God, which meant that his message was the same as the gospel preached by the churches.
In Paul's prayers for the believers, what is one thing that he prayed? (Eph 3:16-19). Be specific.
The believers are strengthened with power through His Spirit (3:16).
● That Christ may dwell in the believers’ hearts through faith (3:17).
● That the believers be rooted and grounded in love, able to comprehend the fullness of Christ’s
love (3:17–19).
● That the believers experience the fullness of God (3:19).
Write down what values the Bible attributes to the affliction that we experience. List 3 distinct values according to the Scriptures.
Psalm 119:71 – To learn God’s statutes
● Philippians 3:10 – To experience fellowship
in Christ’s suffering
● Psalm 25:16 – To remain dependent on God
● 2 Corinthians 12:9b – To allow God’s power
to dwell in us
● Psalm 50:15 – To see God’s rescue
● 2 Corinthians 12:7 – To learn humility
● 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 – To experience God’s
comfort
● Romans 8:29 – To conform us to His Son
● 2 Timothy 2:12a – To reign with Christ
● 2 Corinthians 1:4 – To be able to comfort
others in trouble
● James 1:12 – To receive the crown of life
“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly _____ and now being _______ up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with _________.” (Colossians 2:6–7)
rooted; built; gratitude
To redirect the Colossians’ faith back to Christ, Paul stressed that it is through baptism in the blood of Jesus Christ, shed for our sins, that we receive salvation. He did not want the believers in Colossae to hold on to the traditions or decrees of man.
What kind of false teachings were spreading in the Colossian church? Share two.
Adherence to circumcision, regulations regarding food, drink, and festivals, and rigorous self-denial in the name of obtaining salvation. They were incorrect because they followed the principles of the world, not of God.
DOUBLE JEOPARDY!
Since Jesus Christ died on the cross for us, Paul told the Galatians that they were no longer under the law but were now the children of God. To illustrate this change in status, Paul referred to the story of Abraham. He described Abraham’s two sons, one born of the female slave Hagar and the other of Abraham’s wife Sarah.
Make a chart and list four distinct differences between the two sons.
Born of Hagar Born of Sarah
1. Son of the slave woman Son of the free woman (v. 22)
2. Born according to the flesh Born through promise (v. 23)
3. Old covenant New covenant (v. 24)
4. Present Jerusalem Jerusalem above (vv. 25–26)
5. Desolate Has a husband (v. 27)
6. Born according to the flesh Born according to the Spirit (v. 29)
7. Will be driven out Is an heir (v. 30)
List three spiritual blessings that Paul describes for those who are in Christ. (Eph 1:4-14)
Eph 1:4–5 – We have been chosen and adopted as children of Christ.
b. Eph 1:7–8 – We have been redeemed through the blood of Christ, and our sins have been forgiven by His grace.
c. Eph 1:9 – We have received the mystery of God’s will.
d. Eph 1:10 – We have been brought together.
e. Eph 1:11–12 – We have received an inheritance in heaven.
f. Eph 1:13–14 – We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit.
Name three characteristics of the “day of the Lord” based on 1 Th 5:1-11.
(1) It will come stealthily, like a thief in the night. (2) It will come at a time when peace and security seem to prevail. (3) Those in darkness shall not escape the terrible judgment of God.
“[Nevertheless], knowing that a person is not justified by ______ of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have ______ in Christ Jesus, so that we may be _______ by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law; since by works of the Law no _______ will be justified.” (Galatians 2:16)
works; believed; justified; flesh