Letters Study #1
PAUL: A LIFE COACH? YES!
Having studied the person and life of the Apostle Paul for most of his personal and all of his professional life, British scholar F.F. Bruce shared “I cannot think of any other writer, ancient or modern, whose study is so richly rewarding as his.” Why?
“The attractive warmth of his personality, his intellectual stature, the exhilarating release effected by his gospel of redeeming grace, the dynamism with which he propagated that gospel throughout the world, devoting himself single mindedly to fulfilling the commission entrusted to him on the Damascus road (‘this one thing I do’) and laboring more abundantly than all his fellow-apostles (‘yet not I but the grace of God in me’).” —Bruce, The Apostle of the Heart Set Free.
As such, Paul was the Spirit of God’s “life coach” for scores of churches and thousands of believers in the first century. This summer (2020) provides a life-changing opportunity to grow in Christ through the coaching of Paul’s inspired letters.
This week’s teaching unpacked WHY SHOULD I LISTEN TO PAUL? Answer!
Because Paul understood grace, because of Jesus’ tutoring, because of Paul’s commitment to the Gospel, to walking worthy of our calling, because of his modeling of Jesus’ very life!
Get STARTED – Talk about the most influential coach or mentor you’ve had in your life.
- Who was it?
- What imprint on your life?
- Why was his/her imprint head-and-shoulders over others? God’s hand in this?
Explore the WORD Paul’s conversion encounter left Paul a thoroughly “reversed” individual. Take some time to read, out loud and together, through Acts 9. After reading, discuss the following questions from what you are observing
- Why do you think that Jesus had to encounter Saul this way? 9:1-9
- What were Ananias’ hesitations and why do you think the Lord insisted that he be involved in the early steps of Saul’s faith? 9:10-19
- Saul’s (or, Paul’s) early weeks with other Christians and in ministry were rather volatile. 9:19b-31 The Lord seems to move to take Paul “out of the picture.” What do you think the Lord’s purpose was here?
* note Paul’s explanation of these days to the Galatian Christians (read Galatians 1:11-2:1) Why do you think Paul is so eager to insist that his “gospel” did not come from others but from Jesus himself?
NOTE: This week’s LETTERS READING PLAN calls for the reading of Galatians throughout this week.
IF YOU HAVE TIME…Read through together Galatians 1-3. Paul is arguing that our gospel cannot be encumbered with other things. What are those “other things” that must not be included in offering God’s grace to others?
Prioritize APPLICATION Finish by talking about what you might like to learn from Paul’s letters this summer.
- Do you have a favorite letter in the New Testament written by Paul?
- Is there something about Paul’s experiences and life in which you’d like to grow?
- Shall we spend time praying for this Spirit’s growth-work in us this summer?
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