LETTERS OF PAUL: Ephesians to Thessalonians BT124

Transcription

1 LETTERS OF PAUL: Ephesians to Thessalonians BT124 Nipawin Bible College Course Syllabus ~ Winter 2018 Instructor: Adam Yadlowsky 3 Credits _ Description An expository study of a portion of Paul s letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians and Philemon. Strong attention will be given to the personal implications of Paul s teachings. Course Question What would my life look like if I immersed myself entirely in the truth of Paul s teaching and submitted my heart entirely to Jesus selfless love? Learning Outcomes The student will: Develop an understanding and appreciation of the man, the ministry, and the sacrificial Christlike attitude of the Apostle Paul. Have a working knowledge of the background, purpose, theme and general content of each epistle. Become familiar with key doctrinal themes, specifically the blessings of the believer, the purpose and function of the unified Church, the Christian s walk in Christ, and the hope from eschatological truths in Christ. Be equipped to investigate and communicate Biblical truths extracted from the proper context of Paul s writing in connection to the culture of Paul s, and his audience s, day. Be committed to the calling, ministry, and application of the Word of God beyond inconvenience, discomfort and sacrifice. Outline A. Interpreting the Letters of Paul B. The Life and Ministry of the Apostle Paul C. Book Studies: Philippians, Ephesians, 1&2 Thessalonians [Philemon will receive only a brief survey] Textbooks Davis, Katie. Kisses From Katie, New York, NY: Howard Books, Reserved in Library David, Capes. Rodney, Reeves. and E. Randolph, Richards. Rediscovering Paul: An Introduction to His World, Letters and Theology, Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, Thomas, R. Schreiner. Paul: Apostle of God s Glory in Christ, Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic,

2 Assignments Reading (45%) 1. BIBLE READING Read through the book of Acts once, reading it from a historical perspective. Read each of the six epistles listed for this course twice. While reading through Acts, stop at the historical points where each of the six epistles listed above were written. Read each in their proper historical place. Research and record what your source was for the times and scriptural points you chose to place each epistle in Acts in your reading log (found on last page of syllabus). Due: February 16 th 2018 For your second reading, take the opportunity to make it more of a devotional. Read through the books and highlight every place that Paul gives instruction or a command to the Christian or the Church that applies to the Christian today. Hand in your Bible Due: April 13 th Text Book Reading A. Text Book Read in its entirety the textbook for this course, Kisses From Katie. Highlight and comment on what you are learning and the things that seem to stick out to you. Note the quality of reading will be marked by depth of ones personal interaction with the reading. As you read, keep in mind what you have read and what you know about Paul. Questions to keep in mind while you read: In what way is Katie a modern day Paul? Could I be a modern day Paul? Due Date: March 14 th 2018 B. Library Reserved Reading Read 4 chapters from the library reserved texts, Rediscovering Paul: An Introduction to His World, Letters and Theology or Paul: Apostle of God s Glory in Christ. Hand in the reading log listing the chapters read and provide a 3- page commentary on your strongest thoughts in agreement, disagreement and/or lessons learnt as you read. Ideally look at this assignment as if you are taking the opportunity to discus with the author the things you felt most strongly stood out to you in a positive or negative way. (Even though you are expressing your own views still avoid first person references.) 3. BIBLE & CULTURE STUDY (30%) Do Both Part A and B Due Date: April 2nd 2018 Part A. Bible Study Video Blog Research the cultural background of the New Testament times for one of the topics listed below, prepare a 15 minute Bible Study. Include a handout for your study. The handout may be given before they watch the video presentation. You will also be required to submit your Bible study final script (what you read off of as you do your bible study) and your research notes as well as a bibliography. Your research notes should be about 7 to 8 pages in length. Often we read the bible and assume that we understand what it says but we don't research the cultural understanding of the terns and phrases used in the author's day. For this Bible study first study the cultural perspective and understanding of the topic in Paul's day and culture. Then connect that understanding to the biblical

3 truth that Paul is communicating in his writing. Focus on the clarity that a proper cultural and historical understanding provides and aids to a proper understanding of biblical truth. The student is responsible to record the bible study on video and hand it in either by sending it by or CD. Ask four people to view and comment in writing on your bible study. Collect their comments and hand them in. The commentary of the bible study viewers will also be considered in the mark awarded. Ø Role of Women in connection to, and with application for Women in Ministry Today Ø Paganism & Idolatry in connection to, and with application for Christians Living Today Ø Judaism in connection to, and with application for Understanding the Scriptures Accurately Today and Not Missing What God is Doing Ø Marriage & Family in connection to, and with application for The Family of God & the Christian Home Today Ø Government & Law, in connection to, and with application for God s Governance, authority and Law Today Ø Gnosticism in connection to, and with application for The Post Modern Movement and Existentialism Today Ø Roman Citizenship in connection to, and with application for The Christians View of Heaven and This life Ø Slavery in connection to, and with application for Salvation Ø Roman Adoption in connection to, and with application for The Christians Relationship with God Ø Jesus Christ Is Lord in connection to, and with application for Living the Christian Life Due: April 16 th 2018 Part B. Memorization (10%) Take at least 15 of the Bible verses that speak to your topic chosen for your Bible study and that you have used in your Bible Study and memorize them. You will have to recite your verses to the instructor at some date after assignment is due. This date will be listed and communicated in class. 4. FINAL EXAM (15%) April 18 th Due: April 12 th, 2018

4 Bible Study Tips a) Use the Pauline Epistles we study in class as the starting point for your paper, and then expand your study to include Paul s other Epistles and what they teach on the topic/theme. (Note related passages as you read through the Epistles.) b) In your paper you need to develop the topic/theme chosen and should include a clear thesis statement and outline. Keep the big picture in mind, but include enough specifics to support your conclusions. It might be helpful to think of this as a sermon or Bible Study. You want clear facts and good research, moving toward a few key conclusions and applications. Process: Read through Ephesians to Thessalonians. List all verses relating to your chosen topic. Group verses according to teaching related to the theme. Develop a rough outline and thesis statement Read commentaries relating to the key verses in your theme. Expand/revise outline. Refine thesis statement. Begin compiling/writing your paper. Reevaluate outline as you progress Common Weaknesses Using devotional books. This should be primarily a Biblical study. Being too broad in scope of the topic. E.g. Jesus teachings, Old Testament, other books, etc. Weak outlines: overlapping points, too general, not logical in progression. Format: footnote format and spacing, Bibliography (spacing, indentation, adding numbers); page numbering, subsequent footnote format.

5 Selected Bibliography Banks, Robert J. Paul s Idea of Community. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, Barclay, William. Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Toronto: G.R. Welch Co., BAR Bruce, F. F. Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Grand Rapids. Michigan: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.; Coffey, Ian. Philippians: Free To Be God s People. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House; Fitzmyer, Joseph A. Paul and His Theology: A Brief Sketch. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall; Garland, David E. The NIV Application Commentary: Colossians and Philemon. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Gromacki, Robert G. Stand Perfect in Wisdom: An Exposition of Colossians and Philemon. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, GRO, Stand United in Joy: An Exposition of Philippians. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, GRO Hendriksen, William. Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, HEN Hiebert, D. Edmond. The Thessalonian Epistles. Chicago: Moody Press, HIE Holmes. Michael W. The NIV Application Commentary: 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, House, H. Wayne. Chronological and Background Charts of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, HOU Jones, Peter. Capturing the Pagan Mind: Paul s Blueprint for Thinking and Living in the New Global Culture. Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman & Holman Publishers; Longenecker, Richard N. The Ministry and Message of Paul. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, LON Malina, Bruce J. and Jerome H. Neyrey. Portraits of Paul: An Archaeology of Ancient Personality. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, (Mr. Fehr) Morris, Leon. The Epistles of Paul to the Thessalonians. Revised Ed. Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter-Varsity Press, 1984 Motyer, Stephen. Ephesians: Free To Be One. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House; (Mr. Fehr) Polhill, John B. The New American Commentary: Acts. Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman Press; Sanders, J. Oswald. Paul the Leader. Great Britain: Kingsway Publications, SAN Schreiner, Thomas A. Interpreting the Pauline Epistles. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House; Schreiner, Thomas A. Paul Apostle of God s Glory In Christ; A Pauline Theology, Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, Silva, Moises. Philippians. Chicago: Moody Press, SIL Snodgrass, Klyne. The NIV Application Commentary: Ephesians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Stott, John R. W. The Message of Ephesians. Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter-Varsity Press, STO Thielman, Frank. The NIV Application Commentary: Philippians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.

6 Thomas, W. H. Griffith. Studies in Colossians and Philemon. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, THO Wenham, David. Paul and Jesus: The True Story. Grand Rapids: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.; (Mr. Fehr) Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Complete (Colossians). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, WIE. Be Joyful (Philippians). Wheaton: Victor Books, WIE. Be Ready (1&2 Thessalonians). Wheaton: Victor Books, WIE. Be Rich (Ephesians). Wheaton: Victor Books, WIE Williams, David J. New International Biblical Commentary: 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers; Wright, N.T. Paul: In Fresh Perspective, Minneapolis, Fortress Press, Periodical Christian History. Paul and His Times Issue 47(Vol. XIV, No. 3)

7 Letters of Paul: Ephesians to Thessalonians Reading Report Name: Reading is due by 8:30 am on the date indicated. In order to spread out the readings of each book, do no more than 2 readings on the same day. Also give yourself a grade on your reading. What percentage were you focused on your reading and engaging with what was written? Reading Due Date Date Read Percentage % Acts Feb. 16th Passage Points % Philippians Reading 1 Ephesians Reading 1 Colossians Reading 1 Thessalonians Reading 1 Philemon Reading 1 Feb 16th _ % Source (bibliography) for time you choose to read the listed epistles: Kisses From Katie March. 1 st % Library Reserved Reading April 2 nd Book: Chapters % Book: Chapters % Philippians Reading 2 Ephesians Reading 2 Thessalonians Reading 2 Colossians Reading 2 Philemon Reading 2 April 13 th %