Paul Wrote Letters

While Paul’s heart and desire was to minister to these churches in person, he was forced to minister to these churches while in prison. And so he wrote letters. Letters that found their way into our hands, 2000 years after they were written. Letters that have shaped the Church for centuries.

Read: Romans 1:1; 1 Cor 1:1-9; 2 Cor 1:1-2; Galatians 1:1-5; Ephesians 1:1-2; Philippians 1:1-2; Colossians 1:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:1-2; Titus 1:1-4; Philemon 1:1-7 (NLT)

Explore the Theme: God calls Paul to write letters to those he ministered to. The letters always remind the recipients of Paul’s calling from God and who he is in Jesus (an apostle of Jesus, a servant of Jesus, a prisoner of Jesus, etc.) and then he encourages them with God’s grace and peace. Why do you think Paul begins each letter by introducing who he is in Jesus? What do you think these introductions made the early Church feel as they read them?

Ask God: Who is someone in your community who needs encouragement? Who has God called you to reach out to? Spend some time asking God how you can do that, even in the midst of circumstances that may be less than ideal (Paul wrote from prison and house arrest!). Reflect on the giftings and skills you have and ask God to reveal to you how they might be used creatively by him to bring hope and peace to others. Often, Paul writes alongside his family members in the faith (Timothy, Silas, “brothers” in the faith, etc.). Who has God put alongside you to minister with and how can you partner together to encourage others? Is there someone whose skill sets, when, partnered with yours, could have profound impact?

Live it Out: We all have gifts God has given us to use to encourage the Church. After your time of prayer and seeking God’s direction in how to minister to others, begin to put your plan in motion. Perhaps, like Paul, you are going to write notes or letters to people in your community. Or, maybe you are a talented artist and planning on creating paintings or drawings that you know would bless others. Consider asking someone to partner with you as you undertake the great mission we have in Jesus to love others boldly and graciously. May his peace and kindness go with you as you live out your calling in Jesus!