New Testament

Jesus’ Ministry to Galilee 

Luke 1 – 15

The Gospel of Luke was written by Luke, a physician and traveling companion of the Apostle Paul.  In his two-volume work of Luke and Acts, Dr. Luke did a careful investigation to show Theophilus and his Gentle audience, that Jesus is the Savior of the Jews and the Gentiles.  He spoke with eye witnesses and had first-hand knowledge of Paul’s journeys.  In this study, God’s story of Redemption comes to a climax in Jesus.

The study will focus on Jesus’ early life and ministry which was primarily around Galilee.

• You will get to know Jesus as a person.
• What it was like to be His disciple.
• How Jesus interacted with the religious leaders and the outcasts of society.
• And, the significance of His parables.

 

It is Finished!

Luke 16 – Acts 7

This study’s focus is on Jesus’ life and ministry through the eyewitness accounts recorded in Luke.  In the first section, Dr. Luke shows that the signs and miracles of Jesus could only be done by God.  Everyone who saw these miracles asked the question, “Who is this man?”  The climax comes in chapter 9 when the disciple Peter answered, “You are the Christ, of God.”

By including Jesus’ time and culture, this study helps each student better understand:

• What Jesus did each day during his final week on earth.
• The significance of the Old Testament Festivals.
• The sacrifice Jesus made for us.

The final section begins Dr. Luke’s second volume of Acts.  After Jesus’ appearance following the resurrection, the young disciples, now called apostles, began to carry the good news to Jerusalem.  As people put their faith in Jesus as the Messiah, persecution began as the Jewish leaders tried to stop the spread of the Gospel.

 

The Persecuted Church

Acts 8 – 15, James and Galatians

This study continues Dr. Luke’s story based upon eye witnesses accounts, of how the Gospel spread from Jerusalem to other parts of the world and from the Jews to Gentiles (non-Jews.)

This study includes:

• The first martyrs
• The conversion of Saul (the Apostle Paul)
• The first missionary journey of the apostle Peter
• The first letter written by James to the believers scattered because of persecution
• Paul’s first missionary journey to Galatia
• Paul’s letter to the Galatians
• The Jerusalem Council – what is required to received God’s salvation?

 

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

 Acts 15:36 – 18, 1 & 2 Thessalonians and 1 Corinthians

In this study you will learn more about the Apostle Paul, his personality, teaching, writings and why God chose him as the best person to be Apostle to the Gentiles.

The study opens with a “sharp disagreement” between ministry partners Paul and Barnabus over young John Mark.  Since neither partner would budge, the result was in a split into two teams with Barnabus taking John Mark and Paul partnering with Silas.  On this second journey, Paul returned to Galatia with the letter from the Jerusalem Council saying Gentiles did not have to become Jews to received God’s Salvation through Christ.  Paul and Silas continued a tumultuous journey through Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and finally Corinth where Paul stayed for 18 months.  During the time in Corinth, Paul wrote letters of encouragement to the Thessalonians.  The journey continued to Ephesus where a near riot broke out over Paul and Silas preaching the Gospel.  While in Ephesus, Paul learned of trouble in Corinth and wrote his first letter to the Corinthians.

 

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

Acts 18 & 19, 2 Corinthians and Romans

Paul’s second journey had taken him to Corinth where he ministered for 18 months.  On his way back to his home church in Antioch, Paul traveled through Ephesus where Paul learned about trouble in the church at Corinth and wrote his first letter to the Corinthians. 

Paul was asked to stay longer in Ephesus to which he replied that he would return if the Lord willed.  Paul eventually did return to Ephesus on his third journey and spent three years ministering there.  Paul’s third journey continued through Macedonia where he wrote 2 Corinthians.  Paul then returned to Corinth for three months to stabilize the church.  With that done, Paul’s heart turned toward Rome and Spain.  Paul wrote a letter to the church in Rome to prepare them for his future visit. 

This study includes two of Paul’s letters.

• 2 Corinthians
  • The most personal of all Paul’s letters
  • You will learn more about Paul’s life and his feelings
•  Romans
  • Sometimes referred to as Paul’s Gospel
  • You will learn of God’s righteousness and the true meaning of being a follower of Jesus.

 

Paul’s Journey to Rome

Acts 20 – 28, Philemon and Colossians

Paul spent three years in Ephesus then another three months in Corinth.  As Passover approached, Paul wanted to return to Jerusalem.  As he visited each of his churches, he was warned of the danger ahead if he went to Jerusalem.

This study covers Paul’s return to Jerusalem and the hardships he faced along the way.  Once in the city, Paul was arrested on false charges.  He presented his case four times but despite being declared innocent by the Romans, he was not released.  As a Roman citizen he used his right to appeal to Caesar, so Paul was sent to Rome.  While he awaited trial, Paul wrote four letters, two of which are covered in this study.

This study includes:

• Philemon
  • Paul urged his friend to take back his runaway slave.
• Colossians
  • Paul encouraged these believers that despite what they were hearing from the Jews, Christ is enough, nothing else is needed to come to God. Paul gave them assurance of the hope they have in Christ.

 

Paul’s Letters from Rome

Ephesians, Philippians, 1 Timothy, Titus and 2 Timothy

While Paul was imprisoned in Rome for the first time, he wrote four letters.  (Philemon and Colossians were covered in the study, “Paul’s Journey to Rome.”)  Paul also wrote to his churches in Ephesus and Philippi.  Dr. Luke ended his book of “Acts” with Paul still in prison, but Paul was eventually released.  During his Roman imprisonment, Paul had left his disciple Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete to carry on the work.  After his release, Paul wrote letters to Timothy and Titus to explain church order.

It is unknow where Paul went after his release, but within two years he imprisoned a second time, along with Peter.  This time Paul knew there would be no release.  His final letter was to Timothy just before his execution.  In 66 or 67 AD, Paul and Peter were executed in Rome by Emperor Nero.

• Ephesians
  • While Paul was imprisoned, many Gentiles had come to faith. This letter was to help the teach the new believers how to grow up in their faith in Christ and what it meant to be the church.
• Philippians
  • A note to thank the church at Philippi for their support of him and his ministry.
  • This is book about the joy they have in Christ.
• 1 Timothy and Titus
  • Letters to explain church order
• 2 Timothy
  • A letter of encouragement to Timothy to carry on and to guard the truth of the Gospel

 

Revelation

Revelation is the most difficult book in the Bible to understand and the most abused book because it was written in a literary style not familiar today.  It begins as a letter to seven first century churches then includes prophecy and apocalyptic literature.

The goal of this study is to take some of the mystery out by understanding Revelation in culture and context.  Yes, Revelation is a difficult book, but it is included in Scripture for a reason.  Try to imagine a story without an ending.  The overall theme to keep in mind is, “It is Done” and “God wins!”

Apocalypic writing was not intended to be taken literally because it is symbolic, but it was meant to be taken seriously, God’s message was clear.

• God will judge evil
• All things will be made right
• For all who accept Jesus as their Messiah, the future is secure
• Heaven is more wonderful that we can ever dream or imagine

Revelation is a book about, hope and encouragement and comes with a promise of blessing for all who read it and take it to heart.

Jesus IS coming soon – so be ready!!!