Week #7: Week of February 21st

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Titus

-Titus is one of Paul's converts and was a considerable help to Paul in his ministry. He's mentioned numerous times in other letters of Paul.
-The setting for the letter is the island of Crete. Apparently Paul and Titus had introduced Christianity there during an earlier visit and Paul left Titus to organize the converts.
-Paul writes to give Titus instructions about faith/conduct and to warn against false teachers. The letter contains some great summaries of Christian doctrine in 2:11-14 and 3:4-7.

Philemon

-Paul wrote this letter at the same time as Colossians (during his Roman imprisonment).
-The letter is written to Philemon, a believer in Colosse who was a slaveowner. One of his slaves, Onesimus, had apparently stolen from him and run away. However, he had become a Christian through the ministry of Paul and wished to return to Onesimus. Paul writes on his behalf asking that he be accepted as a Christian brother.

Hebrews

-The writer of his letter doesn't identify himself and is unknown to us today.
-The letter was addressed to Jewish converts who were familiar with the OT and who were being tempted to revert back to Judaism or to "Judaize" the gospel (see Galatians). A good background in the OT is very helpful for understanding this letter.
-The theme of Hebrews is the absolute supremacy of Christ as the revealer and mediator of God's grace. It explains how many of the OT prophecies and promises are now fulfilled through the "new covenant" (or "new testament") of which Christ is the mediator. It also shows how Christ is superior to the ancient prophets, angels and Moses (the mediator of the former covenant).

John

-John refers to himself in the book as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”
-John was the only disciple who did not die a martyrs death.
-He wrote The Gospel of John at the end of life. It is the last of the four gospels to be written and more than likely he had read Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
-John’s Gospel is the most theological of the four and he uses imagery a lot like calling Jesus the light of world, the bread of life, the door, the vine, etc. There are also the seven “I AM” statements from Jesus.
-John takes 6 chapters to cover the scene between Jesus and His disciples the night before His crucifixion as they celebrated Passover, which we now celebrate as Communion.

Discussion Questions

Doing What is Good (Titus 3:1-11)

1. In what situation do you least exhibit your faith? Waiting in line? Driving? When someone insults you? Playing sports? Others?
2. Why do you suppose Paul again stresses "doing what is good?" What is about human nature that makes such reminders nescessary?
3. From verses 4-7, what can you learn about God's character? His work in us? How do these trusths promote humility? Gratitude? A life of service?

Philemon (1:1-25)

1. What qualities in Philemon does Paul commend? How does this open the door for Paul's plea to Philemon in v. 8?
2. Given the seriousness of the crime committed by Onesimus, what impact will his return have on Philemon's household? Does the fact that Onesimus has become a Christian lessen the seriousness of his crime? Why or why not?
3. What is radical about Paul's view of Onesimus (vv. 10-18)?
4. Why does Paul return Onesimus to Philemon anyway? Why not declare him free? What do you think are the chances that Philemon will do what Paul asks?
5. What's the purpose of this letter? Why is it included in Scripture?

The Role-Call of Faith (Hebrews 11:1-39)

1. Explore the definition of faith. What's the difference between faith and blind trust? How can faith possibly be described as "sure" and "certian?" How can be confident in our faith?
2. Looking through the list of those mentioned in chapter 11 which ones surprise you? Which do you most relate to? Which remind you most of what it means to have faith?
3. In Galatians and Romans, Abraham is held up as a great example of faith. Look at the three examples of his life here (vv. 8-19), how is faith demonstrated or explained in each?

The Word Became Flesh (John 1:1-18)

1. Why does this gospel begin "in the beginning" rather than at Jesus' birth?
2. What facts about "the Word" can you find in vv. 1-5, 10-18?
3. What is the significance of this passage? How does is affect our understanding of Jesus? Why is it important this Jesus is both "fully man" and "fully God"?