Colossians
The Genre of this book is an epistle. The key theme of this book is to remind the church of false teaching and steer them back to the good news. The main characters and events are as follows. The church of Colossians was located on one of the main Roman roads in the midst of a busy cosmopolitan commercial setting. The young church in Colossians was exposed to many ideas, religions and philosophies. The church was beginning to allow some false prophets teachings, ideas and philosophies to infiltrate their church. Paul sends a letter to the church to steer this young Christian church back to the good news. The false teaching include; following certain laws made by the church, celebrating certain festivals and ritual pertaining to the body. Paul reminds the people of the church that eternal life can only be obtained through the person of Jesus Christ and not through any action of their own. Paul prays that God would grant his readers deeper understanding of the good news through spiritual growth. That with a deeper understanding of the good news the people of Colossians would be able to stand against evil and false teachings. He reminds the church that adding anything to God’s word subtracts from that instruction God alone gives in his word to lead a Christian life. He preaches against putting too much stock in ritual practices. He urges to look to the person of Christ to mold are thinking and behavior. To keep God the center of our spiritual journey.
Thessalonians
The Genre of this class is epistle. The key theme of this book is to give the church of Thessalonia encouragement and direction as new Christians that are facing persecution from their own countrymen. The main characters and events are as follows. The Paul and Silas had started a church in Thessalonia. The Jews in the area that did not accept the good news. They accused Paul and Silas of causing a civil disturbance. The accuser knew this would be an effective way to remove their adversary because the Romans where intolerant of any form of social unrest. Paul and Silas were forced to leave a church that was only a couple of months old and had not received all the teaching that they needed. The church also lacked mature leadership. Paul tried to return to this fledgling church many times over but through severe circumstances that were caused by Satan he was unable. Paul was very anxious about this new church so he sent Timothy back to strengthen the believers. Paul sent a letter of Thanksgiving to God that he had sustained them. He made the Thessalonians know that he cared deeply for them. He expressed his hope for their future. He also reinstated his teaching on sexual morality and working, when he found that some of the church members had ignored his prior teachings. Paul answered some of the questions the people had, regarding what would happen to the believers that died before Christ return. He informed them with great urgency that, they should be prepared for the Lord return at all times, because he will come at an unexpected moment. That they should be prepared by living lives that please God. He makes the young church aware that they should subject all new prophecies against the word of God. He reminds the church that they were chosen by God and the Holy Spirit would continue his work in them.
Second Thessalonians
The genre of this book is an epistle. The key theme of the book is confidence for the Christian in a world that has gone mad. That Christ will overcome all evil and triumph in the end. This letter is to strengthen the church, warn against false prophet’s teachings and correct errant members. The main characters and events are as follows. Paul prays for the church and is sure that God is working among them. Paul warns against the false teaching that the Lord has already come. In his letter he outlines events that will occur before the coming of Christ and the church will be gathered to meet him. Paul states before Christ comes there will be rebellion against God. There will come a man of lawlessness that will demand worship. This man will deceive many and he will be powered by Satan. This man will be destroyed by God. He urges the Thessalonians to stand firm in their calling from God. Paul also chastises the members of the church that refuse to work. He directly confronts the slackers. He tells the church to treat them as errant Christians rather than enemies. He encourages the church to help those in real need. He concludes this letter with prayer for the church.
First Timothy
The Genre of this book is an epistle. The key theme is the right understanding of salvation through Jesus Christ. That if one is saved a Godly life is the outcome. This is a book about putting God house in order. Apostle Paul delegates to Timothy the task correcting false teachings and errant behavior in the church of Ephesus. These false teachings are to the point that they are bringing the gospel and the house of God into disrepute. Paul wrote letters to Timothy to give him practical advice on church discipline and arrangements. The three areas that had been harmed by false teaching to included prayer, women teaching, and leadership. Paul gives Timothy advice on how to restore order. He then gives Timothy instruction on Godly conduct concerning old and young people widows, elders, and masters. The Paul turns to how to deal with the false prophets themselves on issues dealing with wealth and profit. That the message of God must be preserved skillfully taught for the next generation. That God house is in this world but not of it. That the world is still Gods good creation, but it’s in last day transient evil days. That God will overcome all evil and his kingdom will be restored.
The Genre of this book is an epistle. The key theme of this book is to remind the church of false teaching and steer them back to the good news. The main characters and events are as follows. The church of Colossians was located on one of the main Roman roads in the midst of a busy cosmopolitan commercial setting. The young church in Colossians was exposed to many ideas, religions and philosophies. The church was beginning to allow some false prophets teachings, ideas and philosophies to infiltrate their church. Paul sends a letter to the church to steer this young Christian church back to the good news. The false teaching include; following certain laws made by the church, celebrating certain festivals and ritual pertaining to the body. Paul reminds the people of the church that eternal life can only be obtained through the person of Jesus Christ and not through any action of their own. Paul prays that God would grant his readers deeper understanding of the good news through spiritual growth. That with a deeper understanding of the good news the people of Colossians would be able to stand against evil and false teachings. He reminds the church that adding anything to God’s word subtracts from that instruction God alone gives in his word to lead a Christian life. He preaches against putting too much stock in ritual practices. He urges to look to the person of Christ to mold are thinking and behavior. To keep God the center of our spiritual journey.
Thessalonians
The Genre of this class is epistle. The key theme of this book is to give the church of Thessalonia encouragement and direction as new Christians that are facing persecution from their own countrymen. The main characters and events are as follows. The Paul and Silas had started a church in Thessalonia. The Jews in the area that did not accept the good news. They accused Paul and Silas of causing a civil disturbance. The accuser knew this would be an effective way to remove their adversary because the Romans where intolerant of any form of social unrest. Paul and Silas were forced to leave a church that was only a couple of months old and had not received all the teaching that they needed. The church also lacked mature leadership. Paul tried to return to this fledgling church many times over but through severe circumstances that were caused by Satan he was unable. Paul was very anxious about this new church so he sent Timothy back to strengthen the believers. Paul sent a letter of Thanksgiving to God that he had sustained them. He made the Thessalonians know that he cared deeply for them. He expressed his hope for their future. He also reinstated his teaching on sexual morality and working, when he found that some of the church members had ignored his prior teachings. Paul answered some of the questions the people had, regarding what would happen to the believers that died before Christ return. He informed them with great urgency that, they should be prepared for the Lord return at all times, because he will come at an unexpected moment. That they should be prepared by living lives that please God. He makes the young church aware that they should subject all new prophecies against the word of God. He reminds the church that they were chosen by God and the Holy Spirit would continue his work in them.
Second Thessalonians
The genre of this book is an epistle. The key theme of the book is confidence for the Christian in a world that has gone mad. That Christ will overcome all evil and triumph in the end. This letter is to strengthen the church, warn against false prophet’s teachings and correct errant members. The main characters and events are as follows. Paul prays for the church and is sure that God is working among them. Paul warns against the false teaching that the Lord has already come. In his letter he outlines events that will occur before the coming of Christ and the church will be gathered to meet him. Paul states before Christ comes there will be rebellion against God. There will come a man of lawlessness that will demand worship. This man will deceive many and he will be powered by Satan. This man will be destroyed by God. He urges the Thessalonians to stand firm in their calling from God. Paul also chastises the members of the church that refuse to work. He directly confronts the slackers. He tells the church to treat them as errant Christians rather than enemies. He encourages the church to help those in real need. He concludes this letter with prayer for the church.
First Timothy
The Genre of this book is an epistle. The key theme is the right understanding of salvation through Jesus Christ. That if one is saved a Godly life is the outcome. This is a book about putting God house in order. Apostle Paul delegates to Timothy the task correcting false teachings and errant behavior in the church of Ephesus. These false teachings are to the point that they are bringing the gospel and the house of God into disrepute. Paul wrote letters to Timothy to give him practical advice on church discipline and arrangements. The three areas that had been harmed by false teaching to included prayer, women teaching, and leadership. Paul gives Timothy advice on how to restore order. He then gives Timothy instruction on Godly conduct concerning old and young people widows, elders, and masters. The Paul turns to how to deal with the false prophets themselves on issues dealing with wealth and profit. That the message of God must be preserved skillfully taught for the next generation. That God house is in this world but not of it. That the world is still Gods good creation, but it’s in last day transient evil days. That God will overcome all evil and his kingdom will be restored.
