Lesson

1/13/09
Today's lesson was from the book "Paul and the Romans: The Life and Letters of Paul" written by Denise Stringer.
Julie led us in a look at Paul's life. Chapter 1 - The Apostolic Ministry of Paul

I. Background of Paul's letters
A. He was an apostle to a non Jewish Christian world from 33 -60 A.D.
B. He was in Corinth when he wrote the letters.
C. He wanted to establish a relationship with Christians in Rome, encourage unity and clear up misunderstandings about his teachings, and he hoped to recruit Roman Christians who would sponsor him to Spain to continue to spread the word.

Galatians 1:11-24
Acts 9:1-25
1 Corinthians 15:1-28

2. Paul's religious history - How Paul viewed his calling and ministry.
Romans 15:14-21, 20-33
2 Corinthians 11:23-33
A. Paul took his own story and his experiences to persuade others to become Christians.
B. At this time, Rome was a peaceful country undergoing expansion. There were less than 100 Christians, and many other religions. Christians still feared persecution.

3. Paul's life as a Pharisee vs. Paul's call to Christian Ministry
Romans 1:1-15
A. Pharisee:
1. Paul was part of a powerful group that followed the law. He did everything expected of him according to his studies of the scriptures / Jewish law.
2. This led to pride, prejudice, exclusion and division. He adapted a "holier than thou" / purity attitude. He was a persecutor.
3. Jewish faith was exclusive.
B. Christian Ministry:
1. Now Paul had no "rule book". He had to go on faith for what is expected.
2. Now Paul was persecuted instead of being the persecutor.
3. Christian Faith is expansive.

4. Paul's strategy for his mission - spreading the word to churches.
Romans 16:1-16, 21-24

5. The Congregations in Rome
A. mostly families that met in each others houses, mainly Gentile Christians, immigrants, small minority in large urban culture.
B. Roman culture was pluralistic, affluent cosmopolitan, liberal. There were many types of worship including mystics, magic, emperor worship, and the Revival of philosophy, Plato, Aristotle, Stoicism. There was a spiritual searching at the time.

Beth U.