Showing posts with label Epistle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Epistle. Show all posts

Sunday

Reading Through The Bible - Ephesians









Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.








Ephesians  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

10th book of the NT 
49th book of the Bible



It starts with a reminder about the redemption & forgiveness we have in Jesus and His grace in
  chapter 1 v 7








What is it?

The Book of Ephesians is one of the Epistles in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.



How Long is it?

It has 6 chapters.



When was it Written?

It is generally thought to have been written between 60 & 62 AD.



Who Wrote it?

Apostle Paul

Chapter 1 v 1 tells us the answer straight away 

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,"





Who was it Written to?

It was written to the church at Ephesus as we see in
ch. 1 v 1
 "To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus"






Why was it Written? 

Paul had visited Ephesus twice and this letter was written while he was in Prison to encourage the Christians he had met there and the others in the church.  


The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Paul writes to the church at Ephesus about how to walk in grace, peace, and love."


 


What is the main theme? 

It focuses on being called by Grace 






and how to walk in the Faith





The Overview Bible  tells us the following:

"Paul wrote Ephesians to accomplish two things:
  1. Describe the Christian’s calling. The first half of the letter focuses on the Ephesians’ calling. They were chosen by God, sealed with His Spirit, and saved by His grace. 
  2. Prescribe the Christian’s walk. The second half teaches how to “walk in a manner worthy” of the Christian’s calling (Eph 4:1). Paul outlines what the Christian walk looks like in various facets of life."

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"Paul encouraged the believers telling them they were the adopted sons of God ....  picked before the foundation of the world."
"Paul encouraged the believers to walk in a manner worthy of their calling."




What 2 special relationships does Paul teach about in Ephesians?


Parents & Children.

Husbands and wives.








What very well-known passage in included in this Book?

The Christian Armour in Chapter 6 v 10 - 18

This is where Paul tells the believers to know their enemy and how to stand against him.

This ends with the order to Pray continually in
 verse 18








How does it end?


It ends with the announcement that Paul has sent Tychicus to comfort them and tell them all the news of Paul.

and then a Blessing in ch. 6 v 23-24


23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  
24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

 

Quick outline of Ephesians

  1. Our calling in Christ (Eph 1–3)
    • Identity in Christ (Eph 1)
    • Grace in Christ (Eph 2:1–10)
    • Peace in Christ (Eph 2:11–22)
    • Paul’s calling (Eph 3:1–13)
    • Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians (Eph 3:14–21)
  2. Our walk in Christ (Eph 4–6)
    • Walk in unity (Eph 4:1–16)
    • Walk differently from the world (Eph 4:17–31)
    • Walk carefully (Eph 5:1–21)
    • Walk in love (Eph 5:22–6:9)
    • Stand firm in the armour of God (Eph 6:10–24)









OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE 













Reading Through The Bible - GALATIANS








Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.








GALATIANS  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLES

9th book of the NT 
48th book of the Bible



It starts with a blessing and reminder of salvation through Jesus in chapter 1 verses 3-5







I love the blessings pronounced in God's Word and we can see in the Epistles that they form lovely greetings.




What is it?

The Book of Galatians is one of the Epistles in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.



How Long is it?

It has 6 chapters.



When was it Written?

It is generally thought to have been written between 49 & 50 AD.




Who Wrote it?

The Apostle Paul

The first 2 verses tells us who it was from 
"Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)," 
and all the brethren who are with me,"



Who was it Written to?

Verse 2 tells us who it was written to 

and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia "






Why was it Written? 

It was written because Paul wanted to clarify certain things for the Galatian Christians. 
 


The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Paul hears that the Galatian churches have been led to think that salvation comes from the law of Moses, and writes a (rather heated) letter telling them where the false teachers have it wrong.."


Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"The Galatians were starting to say Gentiles must follow the Jewish laws in order to be saved. It was confusing the people and putting a burden on them that was unnecessary. Paul wanted to straighten that out."




What did Paul want to explain about himself?


He wanted to talk about himself as an Apostle along with the other Apostles.

About what Christ's crucifixion meant to him personally and where his faith was found as we see in chapter 2 v 20






What did Paul want the Galatians to know about Christianity?


He wanted them to know exactly where their faith had to be focused - not on law and instructions but in Christ as we partly see in  chapter 3 v 26







What is the Book of Galatians most well-known for? 


It contains the passage about the Fruit of the Spirit in chapter 5 verses 22 - 23


22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.









How does it end?


With an instruction to continue to do good deeds
 in chapter 6 v 9
 





and
bringing their attention back again to the cross
 in chapter 6 v 9









OUTLINE of GALATIANS


The Overview Bible  gives us the following


  1. The gospel under attack in Galatia (Ga 1:1–10)
  2. History of the Law vs. grace debate (Ga 1:11–2:21)
  3. Salvation via faith vs. salvation via works (Ga 3)
  4. Slavery vs. sons and heirs of God (Ga 4)
  5. The sinful flesh vs. the Holy Spirit (Ga 5)
  6. How to do good in Christian community (Ga 6)











OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE 











Reading Through The Bible - COLOSSIANS








Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.








COLOSSIANS  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

12th book of the NT 
51st book of the Bible



It starts with Paul wanting to direct the Colossians to learn more about God and to be fruitful in His ministry.






Something for us always to be considering about ourselves.





What is it?

The Book of Colossians is one of the Epistles in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.



How Long is it?

It has 4 chapters.



When was it Written?

It is generally thought to have been written between 60 & 62 AD



Who Wrote it?

Apostle Paul - it is the 7th of his letters

Chapter 1 v 1  tells us

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother"

 

So Paul wrote the letter but was including Timothy who they knew (or knew of) which would mean that Timothy would be in agreement with the contents or knowledgeable of them.





Who was it Written to?

It was written to the the people who made up the church at Colossae as we see in chapter 1 verse 2:

"To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."




Why was it Written? 

It was written to give advice about grounding themselves in Christ and to warn the people about false teachers and against the doctrine of Gnosticism.   

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Paul writes the church at Colossae a letter about who they are in Christ, and how to walk in Christ."


Teach Sunday School  tells us the following


"The Colossian church was trying to mix Greek Philosophy with Christian Theology.  The result was called Gnostic philosophy.  Among other things it taught that the physical world was evil and Jesus was a spirit and not a man."


One verse which helps to sum up advice on how the Colossians can walk worthy lives is found in
 chapter 3 v 2





Teach Sunday School  tells us the following


"In chapters 3 & 4 he teaches the people about love.  He feels that if they put on the love of Christ they will stop getting distracted by false doctrines."



As Paul saw it, love was the best virtue they could have as we see here in chapter 3 v 14









What specific encouragement is there here that is not covered in most of the letters?


Paul spoke about the role of husbands and wives in  ch. 3 v 18-19











How does it end?


With more advice which is very apt for us today as well

 





Outline of Colossians? 

  1. Who we are in Christ (Col 1–2)
    • Christ: our head (Col 1)
    • Christ: our God (Col 2)
  2. How to walk in Christ (Col 3–4)
    • Christ: our life (Col 3)
    • Christ: our Master (Col 4)








OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE