Discover how ancient letters shaped the New Testament and the early Church.
Paul’s letters are some of the most powerful and practical writings in the Bible. This course explores how these letters were written, why they mattered in their original context, and how they continue to speak to the Church today.
You will uncover the historical background behind the epistles, explore Paul’s dramatic life and mission, and learn how to read each letter as both divine Scripture and a response to real people facing real challenges.
Perfect for Bible readers, leaders, and learners who want to understand the heart and depth of Paul’s writing.
Session 1: What Was an Ancient Letter?
Discover how ancient letters worked in the Greco-Roman world and why this matters for reading Paul. Learn how Paul adapted the conventions of letter writing into powerful pastoral and theological tools.
Session 2: The Life of Paul
Trace Paul’s journey from a zealous Pharisee to an apostle of Christ. Explore his Jewish heritage, Roman citizenship, conversion, and the formative seasons that shaped his ministry.
Session 3: Galatians and Thessalonians
Examine Paul’s early missionary journeys and the pressing questions of the early church. Consider the issues of Gentile inclusion in Galatians and Paul’s encouragement to a persecuted community in Thessalonica.
Session 4: Corinthians, Romans, and the Prison Epistles
Engage with Paul’s later ministry and letters. From addressing division and immorality in Corinth, to the theological depth of Romans, and the pastoral warmth of his prison letters, see Paul as both theologian and pastor.
