Ephesians 5 – Husbands, Wives, and Mutual Submission?
I am in the process of writing small group curriculum for Paul’s prison letters. The text in focus right now is Ephesians 5:21-6:24 and part of that is Paul’s “household code.” Paul mentions three sets of relationships in chapters 5 & 6 that each have two parts: husbands & wives, children & parents, slaves & […]
Gospel of John 20 – The Empty Tomb
1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the […]
What Role Do We Play in Our Own Salvation? – Colossians 1:22-23
I think Paul sums up the partnership we have with God very nicely in Colossians 1:22-23, “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move […]
Writing Curriculum on Paul’s Prison Letters – Suggested Materials
I am currently writing a small group series for our congregation on Paul’s prison letters (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon). Here are the resources I am currently using. Anything I am missing that you have found useful? IVP – Dictionary of Paul and His Letters Paul: Apostle of a Heart Set Free by F.F. Bruce […]
Attractional or Distractional – Part 1
We hear a lot about attractional models of worship, evangelism, and all the rest “doing church.” I wonder at what point attractional becomes distractional. Moving Away from Worship as Penance: I don’t want you to mishear me here. I am not trying to say the duller and more irrelevant our worship services are the more […]
Study Guide – Philemon 1:17-25
1:17 – In other words, if you don’t take him back…don’t consider me a partner any more? Wow Paul…that is some strong language. It shows you just how strongly Paul feels about Philemon making the right decision on this matter. Have you ever stood up for someone or stepped into a situation to try to […]
Study Guide – Philemon 1:8-16
Paul starts off with a pretty strong appeal. Who is Paul appealing for and why? Why do you think Paul wants this to be Onesimus’ own decision and not something done because Paul is twisting his arm? Paul wants Onesimus to do this out of love and not out of obligation…and yet Paul is certainly […]
Study Guide – Philemon 1:1-7
Philemon Study Guide (1:1-7) First we notice that Paul is in prison. Philemon is one of four letters Paul wrote from prison. The other three are Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. Colossians has some interesting overlap with Philemon. Both are introduced as coming from both Paul and Timothy. Both introduce Paul as a prisoner (Philemon 1:1, […]
Paul’s Letter to Philemon – Historical Background
1 – Slavery in the Greco-Roman World One of the most important things to understand about Philemon the is background of slavery in the ancient world. Once we have an informed understanding of slavery in the ancient world we will be able to make better sense out of what Paul is writing to Philemon regarding […]
Ecclesia Outside the Auditorium
The auditorium is so bitter sweet. It is sweet because there is nothing like having that many Christians together (which is what ecclesia means – “assembly”) worshiping God. It is bitter because some equate the worship hour with what church is. How do we get people to drop the old facility mindset and take on […]