Beginnings & Endings
This 4-day Bible study peels back the layers of Paul’s epistles to help you read the beginnings and endings for the treasure that lies within. You will find much value in not skipping over the mentions of people’s names you don’t know, and you’ll wonder, “Why have I not noticed this before?”
Learn what to take away from the fact that Paul introduces his letters in specific ways. Uncover why the friends he mentioned are so important to the foundation of the early church. Reflect on how they lived, what they did, and why their mention carries through to our current-day values as a church. All through the first and last five verses of books such as Romans and 1 Corinthians, you will gain insight.
You can decide how to use this method of study to read all of the letters in the New Testament, and you can even apply it to the historical context of the Old Testament. You will start to ask questions as you read Scripture:
- Why is this person’s name mentioned?
- What was this person’s role in history?
- How were the historical and cultural views of that time period referred to in either the opening or the ending of this book?
- What experience does the author of the book have with his audience of readers?
- What relationships will the audience of readers already understand when they read this letter?
- Who carried the letter?
- Who wrote it?
- Why are these roles (the carrier and the writer) important?
- How are these foundations for the way that I view this book of the Bible?
- What do these details tell me about the purpose of this book?
- What are my takeaways now that I have explored these questions?
While this Bible study is simply a 4-day quick start, the goal is to reawaken your appetite for how to read Scripture for all its meaning — not just its meaning to you and in the current context of today’s culture and time.
