Genesis to Revelation: 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible
()
About this ebook
Leader Guide includes:
A verse-by-verse, in-depth look at the Scriptures.
Background material, including word studies and history of the biblical setting.
Answers to questions asked in the Participant Book.
Application of the Scripture to daily life situations.
Discussion suggestions.
A variety of study options.
Practical tips for leaders to use.
More than 3.5 million copies of the series have been sold.
This revision of the Abingdon classic Genesis to Revelation Series is a comprehensive, verse-by-verse, book-by-book study of the Bible based on the NIV. These studies help readers strengthen their understanding and appreciation of the Bible by enabling them to engage the Scripture on three levels:
What does the Bible say? Questions to consider while reading the passage for each session.
What does the passage mean? Unpacks key verses in the selected passage.
How does the Scripture relate to my life? Provides three major ideas that have meaning for our lives today. The meaning of the selected passages are made clear by considering such aspects as ancient customs, locations of places, and the meanings of words.
The meaning of the selected passages are made clear by considering such aspects as ancient customs, locations of places, and the meanings of words. The simple format makes the study easy to use. Includes maps and glossary with key pronunciation helps.
Updates will include:
New cover designs.
New interior designs.
Leader Guide per matching Participant Book (rather than multiple volumes in one book).
Updated to 2011 revision of the New International Version Translation (NIV).
Updated references to New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible.
Include biblical chapters on the contents page beside session lesson titles for at-a-glance overview of biblical structure.
Include larger divisions within the contents page to reflect macro-structure of each biblical book. Ex: Genesis 1-11; Genesis 12-50; Exodus 1-15; Exodus 16-40; Isaiah 1-39; Isaiah 40-66.
The simple format makes the study easy to use. Each volume is 13 sessions.
Related to Genesis to Revelation
Related ebooks
Genesis to Revelation: 1 and 2 Samuel Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Joshua, Judges, Ruth Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Matthew Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Isaiah Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Genesis to Revelation: Job Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Ezekiel, Daniel Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Exodus, Leviticus Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Mark Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Luke Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Genesis Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: John Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Numbers, Deuteronomy Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation Minor Prophets Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Revelation Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Psalms Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Mark Participant Book: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: John Participant Book: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Genesis to Revelation: Exodus, Leviticus Participant Book: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Private Commentary on the Bible: Thessalonians Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Genesis to Revelation: Isaiah Participant Book: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Luke Participant Book: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenesis to Revelation: Psalms Participant Book: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Private Commentary on the Bible: Galatians Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5John Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Genesis to Revelation: 1 and 2 Samuel Participant Book: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5NIV, Holy Bible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet: Discovering New Ways of Living When the Old Ways Stop Working Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Genesis to Revelation
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Genesis to Revelation - Edward P. Blair
1
UNITY IN THE CHURCH
1 Corinthians 1-4; 16
EDITOR’S NOTE: This study of the letters to the Corinthians, Galatians, and Ephesians does not run straight through the letters from beginning to end. In order to bring greater clarity to the material, Dr. Blair has chosen to deal with material from the end of several of the letters out of sequence and earlier in the study.
DIMENSION ONE:
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Answer these questions by reading 1 Corinthians 16
1. Where is Paul at the time of writing this letter, and what are his future plans? (16:1-11)
Paul is at Ephesus. He plans to journey to Corinth via Macedonia, leaving after Pentecost, and to remain in Corinth for a considerable time (perhaps over the winter). After arriving in Corinth, he will send a Corinthian delegation to Jerusalem with money for the church there and possibly go himself.
2. What does Paul desire the Corinthians to be and do until his arrival? (16:1-18)
Paul tells them to take up an offering weekly for the Jerusalem Christians. They are to receive Timothy graciously, respect his authority, and send him back to Paul. They are to respect their own leaders, including the three-person delegation. They are to cultivate certain spiritual qualities: watchfulness, tenacity, courage, and love.
Answer these questions by reading 1 Corinthians 1:1–2:5
3. What does Paul say about himself and about the church at Corinth in the opening greeting? (1:1-2)
Paul says that he is an apostle of Christ Jesus through divine appointment. He is joined in the writing of this letter by a Christian brother, Sosthenes. Paul speaks of the church at Corinth as the church of God,
as those sanctified in Christ Jesus,
and called to be . . . holy.
He indicates that the Corinthian church is part of a widespread Christian community.
4. What are the Corinthians quarreling about, and what is Paul’s attitude toward their quarrel? (1:10-17)
Rival groups in the church are claiming superiority for different leaders—Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ—and in their dissension are destroying the unity of the church. Paul is horrified that Christians should divide around different leaders and thus split up Christ.
5. Who are the advocates of the wisdom of the world? (1:18-20)
The wise man, the scholar, and the philosopher of this age, according to Paul, are advocates of the wisdom of the world.
6. What is wrong with their attitudes and spirit? (1:18-23)
Those who are advocates of the wisdom of the world arrogantly regard the preaching of the cross as foolishness,
demand signs,
and seek wisdom.
They do not believe the Christian preaching about Christ.
7. What is the result of their preoccupation with human wisdom? (1:21)
Human wisdom does not bring them knowledge of God.
8. What attitude do the Christians have toward the preaching of a crucified Savior? (1:21, 29)
They believe in Jesus Christ and humbly accept God’s way of salvation.
9. What results have come to them from believing in such a Savior? (1:18, 21, 24, 30)
They have experienced God’s power, salvation, wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
10. Through what kind of words, concepts, and persons is the gospel properly proclaimed? (2:1-5)
The gospel is properly proclaimed in simple words. The gospel deals only with the crucified Jesus Christ and is announced by one who relies on the power (Spirit) of God, not on his or her own ability.
Answer these questions by reading 1 Corinthians 2:6–3:23
11. By what terms does Paul describe the condition of the Corinthians? (3:1-4)
Paul describes them as worldly . . . infants in Christ . . . mere humans.
12. What three metaphors are used to explain who the Corinthians are in relation to God, Paul, and Apollos? (3:9, 16)
Paul uses the metaphors God’s field,
God’s building,
and God’s temple
to show who the Corinthians are.
13. What ideas in 1 Corinthians 1–3 are summarized in 3:18-23?
The following ideas are summarized in these verses: the foolishness and futility of the wisdom of this world; the inappropriateness of arrogant attachment to human leaders; God’s desire to enrich believers through various persons, through the universe and its processes, and through Christ.
Answer these questions by reading 1 Corinthians 4
14. Why is it wrong to judge others? (4:1-5; see also Matthew 7:1-5)
Judging the motives and stewardship of God’s servants is the Lord’s (Christ’s) prerogative, not ours, and will be carried out when Christ comes again.
15. How do the attitudes of the Corinthians compare with the attitudes of the apostles? (4:8-13)
The Corinthians are boasting about the gifts they have received and are acting, in their self-indulgence, like kings. The apostles are humbly suffering for the sake of Christ and others—being fools for Christ.
DIMENSION TWO:
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE MEAN?
Background
Our First Corinthians is not the first letter Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, as 1 Corinthians 5:9 clearly shows. The letter mentioned there is lost. A letter between our First and Second Corinthians seems to be referred to in 2 Corinthians 2:1-4 and 7:8, 12. It too is lost. And our Second Corinthians may consist of two letters (see lesson 6, dimension 2).
Thus, Paul may have written five letters to that troubled church. Paul was determined that the Corinthian infants in Christ
(1 Corinthians 3:1) should become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ
(Ephesians 4:13).
Paul’s agony had a double source: his own situation in Ephesus, as well as the trouble in Corinth and possibly in other churches.
In 1 Corinthians 16:9, Paul speaks of his many adversaries at Ephesus, and in 15:32, of having fought wild beasts in Ephesus.
The beasts
probably were the silversmiths of Ephesus, whose business in silver shrines of Artemis was threatened by Paul’s mission (Acts 19:23–20:1). As a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-29), Paul would hardly have been subjected to an ordeal involving actual wild animals. The metaphor effectively indicates the ferocity of his opponents and probably serves to explain his utter despair and his brush with death there (2 Corinthians 1:8-10).
Possibly an imprisonment, nowhere specifically mentioned in our sources, occurred at Ephesus (note the been in prison more frequently
of 2 Corinthians 11:23). Some scholars believe that Paul’s prison epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon) were written at Ephesus, rather than at Rome. If so, the care of many churches lay on his heart when he was in Ephesus. His grief over the bickering and downright immoralities of the Corinthian Christians, on top of everything else, must have made his cup of suffering almost undrinkable.
In the attempt to help the Corinthians with their problems—knowledge of which had come to him through some from Chloe’s household
(1 Corinthians 1:11), a letter from the Corinthians (7:1), and reports brought by a three-person Corinthian delegation (16:17-18)—Paul sent Timothy (via Macedonia) to assist them. (We do not know if Timothy ever got to Corinth.) Also, Paul wrote our First Corinthians and probably sent it by the three-person delegation. As nearly as we can tell, he wrote this letter about AD 54.
Corinth
The divisions in the church at Corinth had deep roots in the political, economic, religious, and social life of the city.
In addition to its political importance—re-founded by Julius Caesar in 44 BC, and made the capital of the province of Achaia—Corinth was a bustling commercial center. Trans-shipping cargoes across the nearby isthmus, warehouse storage, banking, temple traffic (sale of artifacts and sacrificial meat, healing baths, religious prostitution), factories, shops, tourism, and business travel all contributed to the wealth of the city.
Corinth’s religious life centered on worship of the old Greek gods and recently introduced exotic foreign deities imported from the East, along with the practice of astrology and magic.
As a Roman colony not subject to taxation, Corinth’s citizens enjoyed a large degree of independence. Cultural activities flourished. Philosophers and teachers, both native and foreign, offered to their disciples learning and skills as keys to success in life. Professional people abounded. Slaves, though numerous, were often well educated and had legal rights. Upward mobility, regardless of national origin, was possible. Competition in business, religion, politics, and sports ran high; the latter whetted by the renowned biennial games held at nearby Isthmia. Corinth had a do your own thing
culture, where unity and conformity were largely disdained.
The high individualism at Corinth naturally led to preferring different Christian leaders. All these leaders had somewhat different understandings of the gospel and the requirements of discipleship. Paul recognized the differing perspectives of the leaders, but he viewed them as God’s way of enriching the Corinthians, not as threats to Christian unity.
What the different parties in the church stood for is not clear. The Paul group may have stood for salvation by faith alone (apart from merit through obedience to law) in Christ crucified and resurrected for our sins (1 Corinthians 2:2-5; Romans 4:25). The Apollos group may have delighted in that preacher’s intellectualism and rhetoric, and stressed human logic and eloquence as the essential requirements of Christian preaching. The Peter group may have been impressed with Peter’s superior status as an apostle of Jesus and insisted, with this great apostle, that Jewish Christians must observe the requirements of the Jewish law. The Christ group may have rejected the exaltation of human leaders and favored life under the direct control of Christ and the Spirit (see 2 Corinthians 10:7).
Whether or not the church had four distinct groups with differing theologies, the whole church was clearly overemphasizing human knowledge and the freedom in the realm of conduct that knowledge brings. Arrogant human wisdom lay at the bottom of their divisions and of most of the problems Paul treats in First Corinthians.
In handling the problem of divisions, Paul addresses two underlying misconceptions about the basic nature of Christianity and about the proper function of Christian ministers.
1 Corinthians 1:12-17. Cephas and Peter are identical in meaning (rock
), the former being Aramaic and the latter Greek. Christ is Greek for the Hebrew word Messiah. Christ rapidly became a part of the name of the new faith’s Lord, Jesus Christ.
These verses show that Paul believes Christianity is neither sectarian nor sacramentarian in character.
The Messiah and his people (Messiah’s body) were regarded by Paul as an inseparable unity. To split up Messiah, whose function was the unification of humanity in the new citizenry of the kingdom of God, would defeat the whole purpose of God in the work of salvation.
In sacramentarian religion, leaders (priests) are water pipes through which divine grace and power are communicated to their followers. The special rites administered by them allow the divine grace and power to flow through the priests to the worshipers. Thus, the priests stand between the deity and the worshipers as mediators.
For Paul the leaders are signposts pointing to a reality beyond themselves: a personal relationship between the deity and the worshipers—a relationship affected, not by rites and ceremonies directed by proper persons, but by faith (trust) in God and in God’s representative (Jesus) and by obedience to God’s will. The leader is thus a preacher, a proclaimer of the good news, not an intermediary.
We can now understand Paul’s subordination of baptism to the preaching of the gospel. That he valued baptism is evident from such passages as Romans 6:3-4 and Colossians 2:12. Probably all early Christians were baptized. But Paul seems to have held that unless baptism was preceded by preaching about God’s deed in Jesus Christ, especially in his cross and resurrection, and by the response of believing acceptance on the part of the hearer, baptism would have no meaning. Paul’s position is plain from the fact that he mostly left the work of baptizing to his assistants, as verses 14-16 here show.
1 Corinthians 1:18–2:5. You can treat this section effectively by contrasting on a whiteboard or a large sheet of paper what Paul says about the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. Line up the contrasts in parallel columns.
Add any more contrasts you and class members may discover.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16. Paul next tries to describe the wisdom of God in some detail. You can look at this section through the following outline:
1. The source of wisdom—God (2:7);
2. The nature of wisdom—a mystery that has been hidden
(2:7), yet understandable by the mature
(adults, not infants [3:1]), though not by the rulers of this age
(2:6) who crucified Jesus (Pilate, the Jewish authorities, the demonic principles and powers mentioned in Romans 8:38; Galatians 4:3, 8-9; Colossians 2:15);
3. The objective of wisdom—the eternal enrichment and blessedness of humankind (2:7, 9, 12);
4. The method of disclosing wisdom—the Holy Spirit, who reveals the hidden purposes of God (2:10-12);
5. The manner of communicating wisdom (to those who are spiritually receptive)—words taught by the Spirit,
in spiritual language (2:13-15).
In some of the mystery religions of Paul’s time, people who were initiated by baptism and other rites were called the mature.
They were then in the know
about the secret teachings and experiences of their new faith. Paul borrows the term and applies it to Christians who have come to understand God’s wisdom
(2:7).
The rulers of this age
who crucified the Lord of glory
(2:8) may be Pilate and the Jewish authorities; but, if so, Paul undoubtedly viewed them as instruments of the demonic powers whom Christ defeated through the cross (Colossians 2:15).
The New Testament often mentions the activity of the Holy Spirit in revealing to believers God’s truth (2:10; also Luke 2:26; John 14:26; 16:13; Ephesians 3:4-5).
In 2:13-16, Paul speaks of two kinds of people: the unspiritual and the spiritual. The first are people who live according to what they naturally are, apart from any outside help. The second accept God’s Spirit and live out of God’s strength and help. The former live a worldly
existence (1 Corinthians 3:1), whether they indulge their natural impulses (Galatians 5:16-24) or curb them in a moralistic pattern of life, as Paul did (Philippians 3:2-6). The unspiritual (natural) person is thus one without the Holy Spirit, and the spiritual person is one who possesses the Holy