Bible Curricula - Paul’s Letters - 2nd Quarter (13 weeks/13 lessons)

Objective: To challenge the teacher(s) and students to have a working knowledge of Romans-Philemon

CHOOSE 1 CURRICULUM idea (out of 3) on how to teach Paul’s Letters in 13 weeks/13 lessons:

1st Curriculum:

Spend 13 weeks on summarizing and discussing each letter in chronological order and as each letter relates to Acts (author, date, theme, purpose, background, and characteristics of each letter):

1. Galatians (A.D. 49, after Paul’s 1st missionary journey)

2. 1 Thessalonians (A.D. 51, during Paul’s 2nd missionary journey)

3. 2 Thessalonians (later A.D. 51, during 2nd journey)

4. 1 Corinthians (A.D. 56, during Paul’s 3rd missionary journey)

5. 2 Corinthians (later A.D. 56, during 3rd journey)

6. Romans (A.D. 57, near end of 3rd journey)

7. Ephesians (A.D. 61, during Paul’s 1st Roman imprisonment)

8. Colossians (A.D. 61, during 1st Roman imprisonment)

9. Philemon (A.D. 61, during 1st Roman imprisonment)

10. Philippians (A.D. 62, near end of 1st Roman imprisonment)

11. 1 Timothy (A.D. 63, after 1st Roman imprisonment)

12. Titus (later A.D. 63, after 1st Roman imprisonment)

13. 2 Timothy (A.D. 67, during Paul’s 2nd Roman imprisonment before his death)

2nd Curriculum:

Spend 13 weeks on Paul’s letters in groups according to shared subject matter:

1. Romans Salvation Letter (the gospel’s power to save and make free)

2. Galatians Salvation Letter

3. 1 Corinthians Salvation Letter (solutions to church issues)

4. 2 Corinthians Salvation Letter

5. Ephesians Prison Letter (encouraging words from an imprisoned Paul)

6. Colossians Prison Letter

7. Philippians Prison Letter

8. Philemon Prison Letter

9. 1 Thessalonians End-time Letter (Christian behavior in light of Jesus’ second coming)

10. 2 Thessalonians End-time Letter

11. 1 Timothy Evangelist Letter (behavior and work of an evangelist)

12. 2 Timothy Evangelist Letter

13. Titus Evangelist Letter

3rd Curriculum:

Spend 13 weeks on VERSE-BY-VERSE study of Paul’s letters (approx. 156 verses per week)

[Everyone read/study these verses a week prior to the following schedule]:

1. Romans Chapters 1-6

2. Romans Chapter 7-11

3. Romans Chapters 12-16

4. 1 Corinthians Chapters 1-7

5. 1 Corinthians Chapters 8-13

6. 1 Corinthians Chapters 14-16

7. 2 Corinthians Chapters 1-8

8. 2 Corinthians Chapters 9-13 & Galatians Chapters 1-2

9. Galatians Chapters 3-6 & Ephesians Chapters 1-2

10. Ephesians Chapters 3-6 & Philippians Chapters 1-2

11. Philippians Chapters 3-4 & Colossians & Philemon

12. 1 Thessalonians & 2 Thessalonians

13. 1 Timothy & 2 Timothy & Titus

4th Curriculum:

Spend 13 weeks on 13 topics from Paul’s letters

1. Romans 3 Sin

2. 1 Corinthians 13 Love

3. 2 Corinthians 8-9 Giving

4. Galatians 5 Works of the Flesh & Fruit of the Spirit

5. Ephesians 5-6 Social Responsibilities

6. Philippians 2 Humility

7. Colossians 1-2 Fullness in Christ

8. 1 Thessalonians 4-5 Getting Ready for Jesus’ Second Coming

9. 2 Thessalonians 3 Church Discipline (also study 1 Corinthians 5)

10. 1 Timothy 2 Godly Behavior in Church Worship

11. 2 Timothy 2 Strong Christians

12. Titus 1 Duties of Elders and Evangelists (also study 1 Timothy 3)

13. Philemon Forgiveness and Restoration (also study 2 Corinthians 2)

MEMORY WORK

Memorizing VERSES of Paul’s Letters for the Quarter:

1. 1 Corinthians 14:34, “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.”

2. Galatians 5:4, “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”

3. Ephesians 4:32, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

4. Colossians 2:16, “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths.”

Optional Shortened Memory Verses for younger students:

1. Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

2. Ephesians 6:1, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

3. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”

4. 1 Thessalonians 5:22, “Abstain from every form of evil.”

Memorizing the major themes of each of Paul’s letters for the Quarter:

(On our website, go to “Study Aids” then “Study Guides” then “Theming the New Testament”)

1. Romans The Gospel’s Power to Save All

2. 1 Corinthians The Church Must Practice What It Preaches

3. 2 Corinthians Paul Defends His Apostleship and The Gospel He Preaches

4. Galatians Freedom in Christ (not Legalism or Liberalism)

5. Ephesians God’s Eternal Purpose in Christ and in Christ’s Glorious Church

6. Philippians Rejoice in the Lord

7. Colossians All Fullness Is in Christ

8. 1 Thessalonians The Second Coming (Living Holy in View of It)

9. 2 Thessalonians The Second Coming (Misunderstandings Corrected)

10. 1 Timothy The Evangelist and the Organization and Conduct of the Church

11. 2 Timothy The Evangelist Is to Do His Work and Finish It

12. Titus The Evangelist and the Organization and Conduct of the Church

13. Philemon Reconciliation (Onesimus Is to be Restored to His Master)

Memorizing all books of the New Testament (and abbreviations) by the end of the Quarter:

1. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

2. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts

3. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians

5. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians

6. Mat, Mar, Luk, Joh, Act, Rom, 1 & 2 Co, Gal, Eph, Philippians, Colossians

8. Mat, Mar, Luk, Joh, Act, Rom, 1 & 2 Co, Gal, Eph, Phi, Col, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy

10. Mat, Mar, Luk, Joh, Act, Rom, 1 & 2 Co, Gal, Eph, Phi, Col, 1 & 2 Th, 1 & 2 Ti, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews

11. Mat, Mar, Luk, Joh, Act, Rom, 1 & 2 Co, Gal, Eph, Phi, Col, 1 & 2 Th, 1 & 2 Ti, Tit, Phm, Heb, James, 1 & 2 Peter

12. Mat, Mar, Luk, Joh, Act, Rom, 1 & 2 Co, Gal, Eph, Phi, Col, 1 & 2 Th, 1 & 2 Ti, Tit, Phm, Heb, Jam, 1 & 2 Pe, 1 & 2 & 3 John, Jude, Revelation

13. Mat, Mar, Luk, Joh, Act, Rom, 1 & 2 Co, Gal, Eph, Phi, Col, 1 & 2 Th, 1 & 2 Ti, Tit, Phm, Heb, Jam, 1 & 2 Pe, 1 & 2 & 3 Jo, Jud, Rev

Memorizing Paul's missionary journeys in Acts for the Quarter:

1. Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13-14, approx. A.D. 48-49)

2. Paul and Silas (Acts 15:36-18:22, approx. A.D. 50-52)

3. Paul (Acts 18:23-21:26, approx. A.D. 60-62)

Paul imprisoned two years in Caesarea (approx. A.D. 57-59) and in Rome (approx. A.D. 60-62)

QUESTIONS on Paul’s Letters for… (rearrange depending on which curriculum you choose)

Week 1: Romans (Chapters 1, 3, 5, 8, 14)

1. What is the power of God unto salvation?

2. All have sinned and fallen short of what?

3. Why did death spread to all men?

4. All things work together for good to those who do what?

5. Whatever is not of faith is what?

Week 2: 1 Corinthians (Chapters 1, 4, 5, 7, 9)

1. There should be no divisions in the church, instead, all Christians should speak what?

2. We should learn not to think beyond what?

3. Christians should not keep company with another Christian who is a what (list several)?

4. If a person departs/divorces his/her spouse for reasons other than fornication (Matthew 19:9), what is his/her only two options according to the law of Christ?

5. The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should make a living in what way?

Week 3: 2 Corinthians (Chapters 2, 4, 5, 7, 9)

1. Who is the fragrance of Christ to those who are saved and lost?

2. The Christian’s outward man is perishing, but his inward man is doing what day by day?

3. Whether present in our physical body or absent from it, we must make it our aim to do what?

4. What produces repentance to salvation?

5. With the church’s contribution, we should share it liberally with the saints and who else?

Week 4: Galatians (Chapters 2, 3, 5, 6, 6)

1. What did James, Cephas (Peter) and John give to Paul and Barnabas?

2. When does one put on Christ?

3. What happens to Christians who attempt to be justified by law?

4. When a Christian is overtaken in any sin, what are spiritual Christians supposed to do?

5. Christians should never grow weary/tired by doing what?

Week 5: Ephesians (Chapters 1, 1, 2, 3, 4)

1. With what has God blessed those who are in Christ?

2. The body of Christ is the same thing as what?

3. We are saved by God’s grace through our what?

4. Christ dwells in our hearts through what?

5.We should not let the sun go down on our what?

Week 6: Philippians (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 3, 4)

1. To live is Christ and to die is what?

2. What are Christians to work out with fear and trembling?

3. What are Christians to forget?

4. Christians lowly bodies will one day be conformed to what?

5. What will God supply the faithful Christian?

Week 7: Colossians (2, 2, 2, 3, 3)

1. In Christ dwells all the fullness of whom?

2. What did Christ do to Moses’ handwriting of requirements that was against us/contrary to us?

3. Since Jewish law is no longer binding on us, Christians are not to be judged/condemned concerning dietary laws pertaining to food, drink or Jewish festivals, new moons or what else?

4. The wrath (intense anger) of God is coming upon whom?

5. What are we to let dwell in us richly in all wisdom?

Week 8: 1 Thessalonians (2, 3, 5, 5, 5)

1. What does God test?

2. Why did Paul send Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians?

3. Who are we to recognize and esteem very highly in love for their work’s sake?

4. What are we to do without ceasing?

5. Paul’s inspired, authoritative letters were meant to be read to whom?

Week 9: 2 Thessalonians (1, 1, 2, 2, 3)

1. With whom will the Lord Jesus be revealed from heaven?

2. Upon whom will Jesus take vengeance when He comes again (list 2 answers)?

3. Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, showing himself that he is God?

4. Why will some perish?

5. From whom should the church withdraw?

Week 10: 1 Timothy (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6)

1. Before Paul obtained mercy, what was he formerly?

2. Who is the one mediator between God and men?

3. Why does Paul write to Timothy?

4. What did the Holy Spirit expressly say would happen in the latter times?

5. With what should we be content?

Week 11: 2 Timothy (Chapters 1, 2, 2, 3, 4)

1. Who was Timothy’s grandmother?

2. To whom should we commit (entrust) the things we have heard from God’s word?

3. Because it causes strife, what are we to avoid?

4. What will happen to all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus?

5. The Lord is preserving faithful Christians for what?

Week 12: Titus (Chapters 1, 1, 2, 2, 3)

1. In due time God manifested His word through what?

2. Whose mouth must be stopped?

3. What are Christian servants to adorn in all things?

4. An evangelist is to speak, exhort and rebuke in what way?

5. Christians are to reject a divisive man after how many admonitions?

Week 13: Philemon

1. Who did Philemon have meeting with in his house?

2. By whom have the hearts of the saints been refreshed?

3. Who was once unprofitable to Philemon, but now is profitable?

4. Paul encourages Philemon to receive his “son” no longer as a slave, but as a what?

5. What did Philemon owe Paul?

How to Study Paul’s Letters Written to the Churches(Worksheet 1)

Romans – 2 Thessalonians

The following gives background to each of Paul’s letters. Give all chapters and verses in Acts where Luke records Paul visiting the city or province to which the letter was written. Put notes in your Bible (suggestion: Use exhaustive concordance like Strong’s or website like biblegateway.com to search city and province). [Make copies of worksheet for each student/teacher.]

Romans

(city of Rome; capital of the Roman Empire)