The Word:
Our Anchor of Hope Jerry Walters
Vicki-Lynn Holmes
About the Authors Jerry Walters is a long time Bible teacher and student of the Word. He has taught both in the USA and Internationally, in South Korea. By profession, Jerry is a Nurseryman, who sees in his daily work the tenants of the Bible come to life --- from being engrafted into the body of Christ to God threshing the grain to separate the wheat from the chaff. The purpose of his writings is to make the Bible understood and appreciated by readers of all ages who perhaps have never studied the Bible before and for those who want to go deeper into the Word of God. To this end, Jerry has written several journals, including the 2017 Scripture & Evangelism planner.
Dr. Vicki-Lynn Holmes is a dedicated Christian and lover of the Word of God who has dual doctorates in religion and mathematics. Filled with the Holy Spirit in her twenties and ordained as a minister as an adult, she carries a heavy anointing to preach the Word with boldness and clarity to those within and coming into the Body of Christ. An award-winning author, Vicki-Lynn has written several books, including Paul’s Prayers: How to pray effective prayers …and get your prayers answered; Suicide: the unpardonable sin?; and Ding Dang Diversity. . Both Jerry and Vicki-Lynn are passionate about the wonderful opportunity they have to fellowship with God through the Word, and are delighted to share His Word with you.
Our Anchor of Hope Apostle Paul’s Letters
Purpose: The purpose of the “Our Anchor of Hope” series is to “whet” College student’s appetite to begin reading the Bible in its entirety. We want each person to be able to understand and apply these great truths. Book One of the series introduces the Apostle Paul’s letters, both the letters to the churches and to his Christian disciples and friends. Book 2, the four gospels, and Book 3 The other New Testament Accounts and Letters. Way organized – Each Book in the series is designed to be completed within 10 weeks (Mondays – Fridays), with morning and evening offerings (your devotion to God). The weekends allow you to “catch up” if necessary and to rest. Each day is color-coded and divided up into three sections – the 3 W’s. The first is the Word of God, where you read the Word (any translation you choose) and a summary of the text. The second section is the Word contextualized, where we provide some history or background to make the reading more understandable. The third section is the Worthwhile take-away, where you are given questions to answer regarding the text that point to practical applications and key take-aways. After all, the word is not simply a historical account, it is a living document that leads you into a richer, deeper relationship with Christ. Our prayer for you It seems only appropriate that we pray one of Paul’s prayers over you! We pray that the eyes of your understanding will be opened, so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. We pray that your minds would be transformed by the reading of the Word. Amen.
Our Anchor of Hope
Apostle Paul’s Letters - FRAMEWORK
Paul’s writing are not organized in the chronological order of when they were written or when the churches were planted. Instead, the focus of these letters is thematic – on the spiritual maturity of the believer. In the book of Romans is found teachings which make up the bedrock of Christian faith, where Paul talks about the fundamentals of our faith. In each letter, step by step, book by book, letter by letter, Paul is bringing the new Christians into a higher level of maturity. Like a symphony, coming to a crescendo, the letters reach it’s height at 2Thessalonians, with Paul’s prophecy or revelation of the second coming of Jesus Christ himself, and the events that precede it. After 2Thessalonians, Paul speaks to leaders, such as Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, whom he considers spiritually mature in the faith. The book of Philemon actually speaks of two leaders, Philemon and Onesimus. These spiritual leaders personify Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Timothy was a mixed breed of Greek and Jew, Titus was a full Greek, and Onesimus, was a slave and Philemon was a master (free). Through these letters, Paul brings the new believer to a fuller sense of how to serve. He is molding the next generation of leaders .
Our Anchor of Hope
Apostle Paul’s Letters to the Churches & Disciples Table of Contents
Letters) Number of Books of the Bible Chapters Romans: 1 Corinthians: 2 Corinthians: Galatians: Ephesians: Philippians: Colossians: 1 Thessalonians: 2 Thessalonians: 1 Timothy: 2 Timothy: Titus: Philemon:
16 16 13
6 6 4 4 6 4 3 1
Week(s) Covered
Weeks 1 - 2 Weeks 2 - 4 Weeks 4 - 5 Weeks 5 - 6 Week 6 Weeks 6 - 7 Week 7 5 Weeks 7 - 8 3 Week 8 Weeks 8 - 9 Week 9 Weeks 9 - 10 Week 10
Note: The authorship of Hebrews has been widely debated in recent years; however, no evidence has conclusively dis-proved Paul’s authorship. Some say Paul; some say Barnabas, Paul’s mentor and friend; and other’s ‘author unknown.’ We do not dispute Paul’s authorship; nevertheless, we have included Hebrews in Book 3 – Other Accounts and Letters as the book of Hebrews itself is not a letter written to a specific church or disciple. Rather, it is a treatise written to Hebrew people.
Word contextualized
Day 3 Evening Offering
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Paul is on his way to stand trial before Caesar. He was facing charges from his Jewish enemies in Jerusalem. The Jews were outraged that Paul had desecrated the temple courts by allegedly bringing in two uncircumcised Greeks. This would have been in violation of the law of the time (Acts 21:27-36).
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Under normal circumstances, this religious crime would not have been a matter for the Roman courts; however, the Jews had already tried to lynch Paul, and the court was about to deliver him back into the hands of the Jews. Thus, as a Roman citizen, Paul had the right to appeal to Caesar.
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In doing so, this gave Paul an opportunity to preach the gospel to the highest Roman officials. He may have also thought to get Caesar to recognize the new Christian religion. This would have provided Christianity with the limited rights and protections that would have allowed for a freer spread of the gospel.
Worthwhile take-away Our Christian lives are not siloed. We are not Christians at church, but not at work. Re-read verses 12. Think of one governmental leader that you do not agree with. How does scripture say you are to treat them? Faith produces good works (verse 8). Paul then tells what type of good deeds to do. Provide an example of a good deed in relation to verse 14. How does Paul tell us to deal with divisive people?
Letter to
Philemon Spiritual Maturity
Leadership
Timothy Thessalonians
Colossians Philip pians
Ephe sian s
Ga lat Co rin thi an
Ro m an
ian
s
s
s
foundation
Paul’s Letters
Titus
Philemon
Day 4
Word of God Philemon 1-25 – Morning Offering
From prison, Paul writes this short letter addressed to a believer named Philemon. The Apostle is interceding with Philemon on behalf another believer. A slave named Onesimus. Philemon is a wealthy slave owner to whom Onesimus belongs. But Onesimus has run away from his master. While fleeing from his master, Onesimus met the Apostle Paul and received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Not only has Onesimus become a Christian. He has become a great asset for the Apostle Paul while he is imprisoned. Paul even calls Onesimus his son. However, under the Roman system of laws, Philemon has a great deal of power. Onesimus is an escaped fugitive slave who has broken the law by running away and deserved to be punished or even executed. In Titus 2:9, 10, Paul instructs slaves to submit to their masters. The Apostle Paul reasons with Philemon to accept Onesimus as a fellow believer and give him his freedom. Even though the Apostle is sending Onesimus back to his master Philemon, Paul skillfully appeals for mercy from Philemon using humor and tact. Even though as an Apostle, Paul has the right to order Philemon to free Onesimus, Paul would rather that Onesimus would do so voluntarily. Then Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus can all work together as partners to advance the Kingdom of God. Paul also requests that Philemon provide him with a guest room. In response to much prayer, Paul expects to be released from prison soon.
Word of God
Word contextualized
Day 4 Morning Offering
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Paul wrote this letter to Philemon, a friend of his on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave who Paul had converted in prison. This letter speaks to the spiritual maturity of both Philemon and Onesimus, and testifies to the transformative power of the Gospel of Christ.
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Philemon is a cleverly written letter in that it has a lot of word-plays and is written with humor. One example is how Paul makes a pun of both Philemon’ and Onesimus’ name. Philemon means loving, and Paul asks Philemon to initiate an act of love; while Onesimus means beneficial or profitable, and Paul says that Onesimus is now profitable to Philemon.
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Onesimus was once Philemon’s slave, who had runaway many years earlier. At that time, Onesimus was not saved, but during his time in prison he met Paul and was converted to Christianity. Onesimus became a leader in the Church and very dear to Paul. Paul thinks of both Philemon and Onesimus as equals in the faith, the master and the servant.
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Under Roman law, Philemon had no obligation to treat Onesimus in any other way as a runaway slave; the penalties for this was stringent. Yet, as an Apostle, Paul could command Philemon to free Onesimus.
Worthwhile take-away What did Paul ask Philemon to do? Why is Onesimus now valuable to Philemon? The word grace has many shades of meaning. Why does Paul end this letter with, “May the grace (unconditional love) of the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One be with your spirit!” (verse25)