Overview
In this 10-session study, you will examine key passages in the life and writings of Paul, exploring what Paul came to know about Jesus—his peace, grace, power, love, and sacrifice.
Introduction
Getting the Most Out of The Jesus Paul Knew
This section introduces the topic, explains the structure followed in each study, and offers tips for those approaching the study on their own as well as those participating in a group.
Session One
Source of Grace
The setting of Paul’s letters to Timothy are intensely personal. Paul wants to teach his young protégé what it means to be a pastor and evangelist. We can study and discover the Jesus Paul knew so we might be better prepared to worship and serve Jesus in our everyday lives.
1 Timothy 1:1–2, 12–17
Session Two
Visionary Leader
In this dramatic scene, a relatively unknown evangelist in the process of turning the world upside down testified before a Roman puppet king. Paul makes his purpose clear and ties everything to Jesus.
Acts 26
Session Three
Comfort in Dark Times
The setting of Philippians is Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. He had helped to start a church in Philippi. These new Christians became his strong friends and stood by him. They were his means of comfort in dark times.
Philippians 1:12–26
Session Four
The Peacemaker
In his second letter to the church at Corinth, Paul reveals more of what he learned about Jesus. He is intensely personal, even when teaching them some basic theology based on Christ’s peacemaking mission to the world.
2 Corinthians 5:1–21
Session Five
Demanding Everything
Paul gave up all his rights when he met Jesus. His commitment cost him many painful encounters, including time in prison in Rome and being separated from his beloved friends in Philippi, who played a major role in his learning to know Jesus.
Philippians 3:1–14
Session Six
Lover and Protector
Romans 8 is where Paul changes direction in his letter to the Romans. Now his theology demands application to life. How better to begin than to show how Jesus leads us safely through the storms of life.
Romans 8:31–39
Session Seven
Choosing the Cross
Paul’s personal reflection in this letter to the church at Corinth makes it clear that the cross was a choice, no matter how much this idea clashed with current pagan and Jewish ideas. His letter showed he stood for the Cross of Jesus in the swirl of a fierce cultural and religious battle.
1 Corinthians 1:18–31; 2:1–5
Session Eight
Giver of Strength and Contentment
In this letter from prison, Paul assured the Christians in Philippi that the gospel was advancing in Rome in spite of adverse circumstances. He assured them that he was content, relying upon the power of the risen Christ living in him and expressing appreciation for the practical assistance sent to him by his sisters and brothers at Philippi.
Philippians 4:10–20
Session Nine
Jesus or Nothing
In this letter to the churches in Galatia, Paul strongly confronts distortions to the gospel. All that Jesus stood for was at stake; for Paul, there was no middle ground.
Galatians 1:1–9, 2:20–21
Session Ten
Inspirer of Praise
Paul’s knowledge of Jesus plumbed the depths of Christian theology. This passage speaks to how we, too, can grow in the grace, love, strength, and knowledge of Jesus.
Ephesians 1:3–14
Total number of pages: 69
James W. Reapsome was a pastor and served as editor of Evangelical Missions Quarterly and the World Pulse newsletter. He was the coeditor of Innovation in Mission and the author or coauthor of LifeGuide studies such as Exodus, Hebrews, Grief, Marriage, and Songs from Scripture.
