Paul's Prison Letters

Understanding the Books of the Bible

by Christopher R. Smith

paperback

Length: 136 pages
Published: July 05, 2012
Print on Demand

ISBN: 978-0-8308-5810-1
Item Code: 5810
Case Quantity: 72

Print on Demand

Feel, live, and breathe the letters that Paul wrote from prison as you study them in the context of his life and work with this excellent guide by Christopher R. Smith.

This guide will lead you through Paul's final seven letters (Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, Philippians, 1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Timothy), explaining where, when, and why they were written. It will give you a deeper and more personal understanding of what God was doing among the early communities of Jesus' followers and how their experiences can impact you today. You'll witness the dramatic story unfold of how--despite his imprisonments--Paul continued to be active in spreading the gospel, guiding and directing the work of local churches, and explaining to the wider world who Jesus is and what he has done.

REVIEWS

"What a WONDERFUL resource for churches who are taking this journey. I will be talking about this book to my church as much as possible. My prayer is that I can get a small group going that will want to utilize this format."

Daniel Thompson, Senior Pastor, Heights Church, Columbia Heights, MN (www.newheightsinchrist.org)

Why Should We Read and Discuss the Letters Paul Wrote from Prison?
How These Study Guides Are Different
Colossians
1. Experiencing Colossians as a Whole
2. Who Paul Is and What He Teaches about Jesus
3. Following Jesus Means Living in a New Realm, Not Keeping Religious Rules
4. Living a New Life Together as Followers of Jesus
Ephesians
5. Experiencing Ephesians as a Whole
6. What God Has Done for Us through Jesus
7. Life in a New Realm and the New Humanity
8. The Unified Body's Diversity of Gifts; Putting Off the Old and Putting On the New
9. The New Life in Basic Relationships; Arming for Spiritual Conflict
Philemon
10. Experiencing Philemon as a Whole
Philippians
11. Experiencing Philippians as a Whole
12. Paul's Prayer for the Philippians; Their Concern about His Imprisonment and Trial
13. Jesus' Example, Illustrated by Timothy and Epaphroditus
14. Paul's Example of Living to Know Christ
15. Paul's Personal Thanks and Encouragement and His Practical Advice
1 Timothy
16. Experiencing 1 Timothy as a Whole
17. Timothy Is to Correct the Problems in Ephesus as Paul's Representative
18. Restoring Order and Decency and Establishing Good Leadership
19. Ensuring Community Support for Worthy Leaders
20. Living Both in This Age and the Coming One
Titus
21. Experiencing Titus as a Whole
2 Timothy
22. Experiencing 2 Timothy as a Whole
23. Timothy's Heritage, Giftedness, Faithfulness, Teaching, and Dedication
24. The Conflict and Sufferings of the Last Days

The Rev. Dr. Christopher R. Smith is an author and biblical scholar who lives in East Lansing, Michigan. He served local churches for nearly twenty years in Massachusetts, Ontario and Michigan and is now a volunteer campus staff member with Graduate InterVarsity at Michigan State University. He was a consulting editor to the International Bible Society (now Biblica) for The Books of the Bible, an edition of the Scriptures that presents the biblical books according to their natural literary outlines, without chapters and verses. He was one of the translators for The Voice Bible. Smith has a B.A. in literature from Harvard, a master's degree in theological studies from Gordon-Conwell, and a Ph.D. in historical theology and Bible from Boston College. He has taught visiting, adjunct and extension courses at Williams College, Regent College and the Ontario Bible College (now Tyndale University College). His articles have appeared in professional journals such as Novum Testamentum, New Testament Studies and the Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, in periodicals such as Bible Study Magazine, and on websites such as The High Calling of Our Daily Work.