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Paul’s Theology

1. READ

   Acts 16, 22-23; Romans 8

2. CONNECT

   10min
   Now that we’ve looked at how Paul’s background and his life experiences influenced him, we turn to Paul’s theology itself. In future sessions, we’ll explore individual theological topics as Paul developed them in his letters to specific churches. Here, we’ll consider two overarching frameworks that help us fit those specific topics into the big picture of Paul’s thought and teaching.

3. Reflection

   Share an event or experience that changed your life in a significant way (i.e., something that made a “before and after” difference) and explain how it changed your life.

4. WATCH

   20min

5. DISCUSS

   10min
   • What is something that stood out to you from the video?
   • Summarize the difference between justification and sanctification according to Paul.
   • The Judaizers in Paul’s day taught that believers needed to add the good work of circumcision to their faith. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that believers need to add the good works of the sacraments to their faith. What are some examples of good works people around you think they need to add to their faith in order to be saved?
   • According to Paul, the transition from this age to the age to come is not an immediate change from one age to the next. Instead, it involves a period of overlap when both ages occur simultaneously. How have you experienced the “already” of God’s kingdom? Where do you long for the fullness of God’s kingdom to come?

6. Straight from the Heart

   15min
   Christian Hope Paul’s faith in Christ and his eschatological perspective on reality provide a firm foundation of hope for the believer. As we read in the book of Acts, Paul’s Christian life was continually marked by suffering. The hardships and opposition were so great that he told the Corinthians, “We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself” (2 Cor. 1:8).

   1. Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
      • What blessings was Paul already experiencing in the midst of his sufferings?
      • What blessings was he looking forward to in the future?
   2. Read Romans 8.
      • What blessings was Paul already experiencing in the midst of his sufferings?
      • What blessings was he looking forward to in the future?

   In Thirdmill’s video, Paul and His Theology, Dr. Jimmy Agan tells us:

   In Romans 8 Paul tells us that our present sufferings are not worth being compared with the glory that will be revealed in us. We want to notice how Paul contrasts this future hope of glory with our present reality of suffering and affliction. The first thing we want to notice is that Paul doesn’t say, “Downplay the present sufferings; deny that they’re real; deny that they’re painful.” Paul’s logic is just the opposite. He says, “Take all that you know about affliction and suffering and sorrow in this broken world, magnify it, look at it in its fullness, and know that God’s glory is even greater than that.” So, Paul’s logic is from lesser to greater, that the greater glory will overwhelm and wipe away all the tears of the lesser sorrows.

7. APPLY

   Take some time to consider the following questions:

   • Think about a situation that feels hopeless. What is something from today’s session that can bring hope to that situation?
   • What can help you fix your eyes on what is unseen and eternal when you need encouragement?
   • How has this study encouraged you in your faith?
   • Where has it challenged you? What do you want to do as a result?