The Bible in a Year

New Testament

2 Thessalonians 1 - Philemon
Read this coming week:
Nov 29 Ezek 27‐28, Ps 119:169‐176, 2 Thess 1 Nov 30 Ezek 29‐31, Ps
120, 2 Thess 2‐3 Dec 1 Ezek 32‐33, Ps 121, 1 Tim 1‐3 Dec 2 Ezek 34‐35,
Ps 122, 1 Tim 4‐6 Dec 3 Ezek 36‐37, Ps 123, 2 Tim 1‐2 Dec 4 Ezek 38‐39,
Ps 124, 2 Tim 3‐4 Dec 5 Ezek 40‐41, Ps 125, Titus 1‐3 Dec 6 Ezek 42‐44,
Ps 126, Philem

Reading Questions
For next week you’re reading 2 Thessalonians to
Philemon. Answer the following:
• Some scholars don’t think that 2 Thessalonians
was written by Paul because it is different than his
other letters. Can you spot any differences?
• I and II Timothy as well as Titus are letters to new
pastors. What lessons can pastors today learn
from these books? How do these books give you
an insight into the problems, insecurities, and
challenges of being a pastor today?
 • Philemon is the last book of the “Pauline corpus”
the body of work written by Paul. How would you
explain Paul’s personality to someone?

The Bible in a Year

New Testament

2 Thessalonians 1 - Philemon
Read this coming week:
Nov 29 Ezek 27‐28, Ps 119:169‐176, 2 Thess 1 Nov 30 Ezek 29‐31, Ps
120, 2 Thess 2‐3 Dec 1 Ezek 32‐33, Ps 121, 1 Tim 1‐3 Dec 2 Ezek 34‐35,
Ps 122, 1 Tim 4‐6 Dec 3 Ezek 36‐37, Ps 123, 2 Tim 1‐2 Dec 4 Ezek 38‐39,
Ps 124, 2 Tim 3‐4 Dec 5 Ezek 40‐41, Ps 125, Titus 1‐3 Dec 6 Ezek 42‐44,
Ps 126, Philem

Reading Questions
For next week you’re reading 2 Thessalonians to
Philemon. Answer the following:
• Some scholars don’t think that 2 Thessalonians
was written by Paul because it is different than his
other letters. Can you spot any differences?
• I and II Timothy as well as Titus are letters to new
pastors. What lessons can pastors today learn
from these books? How do these books give you
 an insight into the problems, insecurities, and
challenges of being a pastor today?
• Philemon is the last book of the “Pauline corpus”
the body of work written by Paul. How would you
explain Paul’s personality to someone?

Pauline Theology
Lutherans and other protestants are often called
“followers of Paul” in regards to theology. Luther’s
“[re]discovery of the Gospel” was mostly due to Paul’s
emphasis on things like Gospel and grace. Here are
some of the major ideas expressed by Paul in his letters:

• Free grace – The idea that grace does not come

from works or worthiness, but from the sacrifice of
Jesus.
• Mystery/ecstatic experience – As much as some
protestants may love Paul, they often get a little
edgy around his discussions of mysteries and
ecstatic experiences like speaking in tongues.
Without Paul, the ideas about tongues and
prophecy that are circulating in Christianity today
would not be present.
• Self sacrifice – Paul’s theology is not one for those
who wish to hold on to their lives, but those who
willingly give up their lives for the sake of Christ.
• Good order – Paul is not willing to allow the
churches he started to be willy-nilly with their
church practices. He encourages good order in
worship and in the Christian life.

Paul’s theology, it should be noted, is not different from

the theology expressed by Jesus. Paul’s body of work
simply highlights certain aspects of the whole counsel of
God. To believe that Paul’s books are authoritative is to
believe that they are the very words of God inspired to
Paul by the work of the Holy Spirit. You cannot separate
Paul’s writings from the fact that they are God’s true
Word.
 Please don’t throw this away. If you’re not going to use it, leave it for
someone else to use.

Pauline Theology
Lutherans and other protestants are often called
“followers of Paul” in regards to theology. Luther’s
“[re]discovery of the Gospel” was mostly due to Paul’s
emphasis on things like Gospel and grace. Here are
some of the major ideas expressed by Paul in his letters:

• Free grace – The idea that grace does not come

from works or worthiness, but from the sacrifice of
Jesus.
• Mystery/ecstatic experience – As much as some
protestants may love Paul, they often get a little
edgy around his discussions of mysteries and
ecstatic experiences like speaking in tongues.
Without Paul, the ideas about tongues and
prophecy that are circulating in Christianity today
would not be present.
• Self sacrifice – Paul’s theology is not one for those
who wish to hold on to their lives, but those who
willingly give up their lives for the sake of Christ.
• Good order – Paul is not willing to allow the
churches he started to be willy-nilly with their
church practices. He encourages good order in
worship and in the Christian life.
Paul’s theology, it should be noted, is not different from
the theology expressed by Jesus. Paul’s body of work
simply highlights certain aspects of the whole counsel of
God. To believe that Paul’s books are authoritative is to
believe that they are the very words of God inspired to
Paul by the work of the Holy Spirit. You cannot separate
Paul’s writings from the fact that they are God’s true
Word.

Please don’t throw this away. If you’re not going to use it, leave it for
someone else to use.