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I Thessalonians (Acts 16)
Chapters 1-3 Emphasis is on staying strong amidst persecution as a reminder of the “coming of the Lord.” Chapter 4:1-12 is instruction on fleeing immorality. Chapter 4:13-18, 5:1-11 talks about the “day / coming of the Lord,” being “caught up,” “thief in the night.” Chapter 5:12-28 final thoughts.

II Thessalonians
In Chapter one again Paul encourages them to stay strong amidst persecution. Chapter 2 talks further about the “day of the Lord” and that it will be preceded with a great falling away and the “man of sin / son of perdition” be revealed trying to show himself to be God and the “mystery of iniquity.” Chapter 3:1-5 pray for us that we may be able to share the Gospel. Chapter 3:6-18 warns them against having fellowship with the ungodly.

Issues to discuss
What does the Bible mean when it uses the following terms:
Thief in the Night
Day of the Lord
Coming of the Lord - Parousia
Last Days
End Times
Caught Up – “Rapture”
In the Clouds
Anti-Christ
Son of Perdition
Mystery of Iniquity
Time reference terms: “Soon, At-hand, Quickly, Shortly, This Generation”

Compare and contrast Olivet discourses: Mat.24, Mk.13 and Lk.21. and Revelation.

Session 6 - 3rd Missionary Journey written between 52-57
I Corinthians (Acts 18-20)
Corinth was one of the richest cities as well as one of the most immoral. Various heathen religions and the occult flourished there. One of the most prominent was the temple to Aphrodite the goddess of love and beauty. Within the pagan temples were prostitutes. There was a struggle when pagans converted to Christianity and still had a hard time separating themselves from culturally pagan customs, dress and practices, even how they conducted themselves in the pagan temples verses worship in the church, views on sexuality and immoral practices, how they resolved disputes, eating meat sacrificed to idols. As a result there were many divisions among the churches.

Paul speaks about; the "Theology of the Body" and that we are the “Temple of the Holy Sprit,” (ch.3, 6) and speaks of "sins against the body" 6:18.

The “Lord’s Supper,” (ch.10, 11) being the “Body of Christ,” and “spiritual gifts,” (ch.12, 14) “Love,” (ch.13) and the “resurrection of the dead” (ch.15).

Chapter 16 closes with instructions on how to gather collections given for the ministry. Paul speaks of what his future plans are.

II Corinthians
Written after the first letter, having more to do with defending his apostleship. Speaks about being faithful amidst persecution and suffering. Paul speaks about the resurrection and judgment, being a “new creation” and “ambassadors for Christ” (ch.5). Being “unequally yoked” with non-believers (ch.6). Christ was “made to be a sin offering” (5:21) and “humbled” (8:9) for us. “God loves a cheerful giver” (ch.9:7). “Weapons of our warfare” (ch.10). Talks about his suffering (ch.11:24) and his “vision” and “thorn in the flesh” (ch.12).

Romans (Acts 20)
Written to a primarily gentile audience concerning the basics of Christianity. He presents the idea that “salvation is to the Jews first and then to the gentile.” His premise is that the things of God are “self-evident” and that people “exchanged the truth of God for a lie,” thus making them immoral. He states that a “true Jew” is one who is one inwardly and has a “circumcised heart” not just outward appearance, but there is advantage to being a Jew in understanding the Gospel. But it is faith in action and not just knowing the Law that saves. Abraham was justified by faith before he was circumcised (ch.4). Chapter five talks about the origin of sin through the first Man Adam and salvation through the second man Jesus through God’s grace. So should we continue in sin? (ch. 6). No!! Chapter 6 speaks about what baptism represents.
Chapter 7 is talking to Jews who know the Law and compares its authority over them as a husband over a wife. Since Christ represents the husband, or the law, upon His death the wife is no longer under his authority, but because Christ is raised they are married to a new husband, namely Christ and now under a new covenant.
Chapter 8 we have received the “Spirit of Adoption” and are “heirs and joint-heirs together with Christ”. Our full adoption as sons is yet to come and all of creation awaits. We have received the "earnest of the Spirit" who confirms our full-adoption and intercedes on our behalf. “all things work together for the good,” “if God be for us,” “nothing can separate us from the love of God,” “we are more than conquers.”
In chapters 9-11 Paul talks much about the salvation of the Jews and their relationship to gentile believers as being “grafted in.” Chapter 12 “present your bodies as living sacrifices,” for service. Chapter 13 speaks of being subject to authorities over you. Chapter 14 speaks of the issues of those regarding different holy days and different food laws and how not to be too harsh in your judgment of them, but be careful not to contribute to placing "stumbling blocks" before new converts. Chapter 15 speaks of receiving gentile converts. Chapter 16 closes with greetings and salutations from Paul.

Galatians (Acts 16, 18) In Chapters 1, 2 Paul addresses those who have come teaching against Paul and his teachings concerning observing Jewish laws in order to be Christian. He states that righteousness and justification comes through Christ not through the works of the law and how he communicated this to Peter. Chapter 3 talks about the purpose of the Law was similar to that of a tutor. Chapter 4 symbolism of Abraham and Isaac vs Ishmael in contrast to grace and law.Chapter 5 Speaks of the “fruit of the Spirit.” Chapter 6 ends with encouragement to help those who are weak.

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