Read the Bible for Life by George Guthrie - Chapter 11 - Cameron Jungels 4-7-2013

Read the Bible for Life by George Guthrie

“Reading the NT Letters”: Chapter 11

Ø Appeal of NT Epistles

o Personal nature

o More familiar with genre

o Practical daily issues

o Greatest treasury of instruction of post-resurrection doctrine and how to live the Christian life

Ø Letter Writing in 1st Century

o Difficult to Produce and Deliver

ü Materials

ü Scribes

ü Delivery

o Reading done publicly in community

Ø Reading with a map

o Parts make better sense in light of the whole.

o 1st century letter structure

o Read the whole letter in one sitting if possible.

o Use reliable guides to help with structure and purpose.

Ø Original Setting is Key

o Letters are occasional

o One-sided conversations

o Writer? Readers?

o Occasion? or Situation?

o Purpose(s)?

o Key Themes?

o Historical/cultural info

Ø Bridging the Gaps

o Different Cultures – forms, structures, and practices

o Sinful human nature is fundamentally unchanged.

o God’s character and his plan of salvation is unchanged.

o On different cultural matters, seek foundational principles.

Ø Reading with Joy & Humility

o Read purposefully but with an openness to receive God’s truth in humility…

o Even if that means changing previously held assumptions and beliefs.

o God’s Truth shapes us.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom. 12:2, NIV)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(2 Tim. 3:16-17, NIV)

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Cameron Jungels Eastside Baptist Church April 21, 2013 Sun PM Unless otherwise noted, the verses are in NIV.