NEW TESTAMENT EPISTLES
NEW TESTAMENT EPISTLES Unit 7 (Revised 2014)
CONCEPT: Much of the New Testament is in the form of epistles, or letters, written to early Christian congregations and individuals giving them instruction and encouragement in living the Christian life.
PURPOSE: 1. To understand an epistle as a form of New Testament literature. 2. To review the four types of literature in the New Testament. 3. To learn who wrote the epistles of the New Testament. 4. To become more familiar with the epistle of Colossians.
PRAYER: As you work on this unit, pray each day. You might especially pray: • to ask God to bless the work of missionaries throughout the world. • to thank God for the gifts of forgiveness and salvation given you at Baptism. • to confess your sins. You can be sure of his forgiveness!
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Complete the following learning activities, in order. _____Read "New Testament Epistles" on page 2 of the unit materials. _____Complete Worksheet # 1, "New Testament Epistles", page 3. _____Complete Worksheet # 2, "Who Wrote the Epistles?", page 4. _____Read Paul's letter to the Colossians from your Bible _____Complete Worksheet # 3, "Colossians", page 5. _____Prepare for your unit conference by using Worksheet # 4, "Questions for Unit 7", page 6. _____Complete “Review Sheet : Unit 7”, page 7. _____Do the “Family Discussion Page” with your parents and get their signature on page 8.
(Some of the material in this unit was written by Rev. W. W. Wehmeier and is reprinted with his permission.)
1
NEW TESTAMENT EPISTLES Unit 7 In the New Testament, there are four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), one book of history (Acts), and the final book of Revelation, which is a series of visions about Christ's second coming. In between Acts and Revelation is a series of 21 books we call epistles. The word epistle means letter. Those 22 books are letters written by several of the apostles to various Christians or groups of Christians. Look at the table of contents in the front of your Bible to find these epistles and to see their correct spelling. The epistles begin with Romans and end with Jude. Some of these epistles get their name from the churches to which they were written. Romans was written by Paul to the Christian congregation in Rome. I and II Corinthians are two letters written to the congregation in Corinth. Galatians was written to several congregations in the province of Galatia. Ephesians is Paul's letter to the Christians in Ephesus, Philippians to those in Philippi and Colossians to those in Colossae. I and II Thessalonians were written by Paul to the congregation in Thessalonica. All of these places were cities of the Roman empire--except Galatia, which was a province or state. Paul also wrote four letters to individual people. They are named for the people to whom Paul wrote -- I and II Timothy, Titus and Philemon. The New Testament contains one letter for which we do not know the author, Hebrews. It is called Hebrews because it was written to Jewish Christians and has many Old Testament references. Remember that the Jews are sometimes called Hebrews and the Old Testament was originally written in the Hebrew language. Hebrews and the seven remaining letters in the New Testament are called the catholic or general epistles. The word catholic means general or universal. These eight letters seem to have been written to Christians in general and not specifically to one congregation. These epistles are named according to who wrote them: James, Peter, Jude and John. All of these 21 New Testament letters were originally written in Greek. That was the most common language in the world at the time. Like the entire Bible, the epistles are the divinely inspired Word of God. The writers of the epistles were motivated and moved to write as the Holy Spirit directed them.
2
WORKSHEET # 1: NEW TESTAMENT EPISTLES Unit 7 Read "New Testament Epistles" on page 2 and use your Bibles to complete the following. 1.
List the books of the New Testament under their correct category.
GOSPELS: _______________ _______________ _______________ _____________
HISTORY:
_______________
EPISTLES: ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________
BOOK OF VISIONS:
______________________
2.
Which is the one epistle for which we do not know the author? _________________
3.
The Old Testament was originally written in what language? ___________________
4.
The New Testament was originally written in what language? __________________
5.
What does the word epistle mean? ______________________________________.
6.
What does the word catholic mean?______________________________________. 3
WORKSHEET # 2: WHO WROTE THE EPISTLES Unit 7
1
Look at Galatians 1:1-5. This is a salutation in an epistle. It tells who wrote the letter. Who? _________________________________________________ It also tells to whom the letter is written. To whom? _________________________ It then gives a short greeting and prayer.
2.
Look at the verses suggested for each of the epistles. Then write in the correct column who wrote the epistle and to whom it was written. EPISTLE
WHO WROTE IT
TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN
Romans 1:1 & 7
___________________________________________________
I Corinthians 1:1-2
___________________________________________________
Galatians 1:1-2
___________________________________________________
Ephesians 1:1
___________________________________________________
Philippians 1:1
___________________________________________________
Colossians 1:1-2
___________________________________________________
I Thessalonians 1:
___________________________________________________
I Timothy 1:1-2
___________________________________________________
Titus 1:1 & 4
__________________________________________________
Philemon 1:1-2
___________________________________________________
James 1:1
___________________________________________________
I Peter 1:1-2
___________________________________________________
I, II, III John
John, the disciple of Jesus
Jude 1:1
___________________________________________________ 4
WORKSHEET # 3: Colossians Unit 7 Read the book of Colossians and answer the questions given. The first three chapters tell what God has done for His people in Christ. The final three chapters tell the people how they should live as Christians. 1.
1:1 Who wrote the book of Colossians? __________________________________
2.
1:3-14 Paul says “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us…” List three of these blessings. (Three things God does or has done for us.) 1. ______________________________________________________________
3.
2.
______________________________________________________________
3.
______________________________________________________________
2:13-15 Once you were "dead in your sins". What has Christ done for you according to these verses? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
5.
3:1-17 These are some rules for living that Paul gives. List 4 of the things we are to "put to death" and rid ourselves of. 1. __________________________ 3.___________________________________ 2. __________________________
4. ___________________________________
List 4 things that we are to "clothe ourselves with" and do. 1. _________________________
3.__________________________________
2. _________________________
4. __________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ 6.
3:18-21 Paul gives advice for having a happy family. What is the advice? ___________________________________________________________________ 5
WORKSHEET # 4: QUESTIONS FOR UNIT 7 Unit 3 1.
Refer to the PURPOSE statements on the front page of this unit. Do you understand all of the points listed. Write any questions you have about these PURPOSE statements and Unit 7 here. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
2.
The first chapters of most New Testament epistles give doctrinal facts about our faith. They tell what Jesus has done and what we are to believe about Jesus. If you were to write an epistle what three things would you include that tell what we should believe about Jesus? (See Colossians 1-2 for an example.) 1. _________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________
3.
The second half of most New Testament epistles give rules and encouragement for living God-pleasing lives. If you were to write an epistle what three points would you include that tell how we should live our Christian lives? (See Colossians 3-4 for some examples.) 1. _________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________
6
REVIEW SHEET: UNIT 7 Match the following by writing the correct letter in the blank. If you are unsure of an answer look back in Units 1-6. _____1.
Created, protects and preserves us
a. Mark
_____2.
Redeemed us by His death
b. I Kings
_____3.
Calls and keeps us in faith
c. Triune God
_____4.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
d. gospel
_____5.
An Old Testament history book
e. concordance
_____6.
An Old Testament prophet book
f. Moses
_____7.
A New Testament epistle
g. commentary
_____8.
A New Testament Gospel book
h. God the Holy Spirit
_____9.
Baptism, Holy Communion and the Word
i. Jacob
____10.
Tells where passages are located
j. Isaiah
____11.
Gives explanation and background of certain verses k. God the Father
____12.
Received promise from God, "I will bless you..."
l. means of grace
____13.
Had 12 sons, later his name was changed to Israel
m. God the Son
____14.
Led the Israelites out of Egypt
n. Romans
____15.
Means "good news"
o. Abraham
7
FAMILY DISCUSSION PAGE Unit 7 It is a blessing to discuss and share your faith with family members. Talk about the items in this page with your parents. A parent is to sign his/her name at the bottom to show that you have spent time together with this unit. 1. Ephesians is one of the New Testament Epistles. It is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Ephesus. Read Ephesians 1 together. Select your favorite verse and tell why.
2. Remember a letter that you have received that gave good news and/or offered encouragement to you. Make a point to write such a letter to a friend or family member.
I have discussed these questions with my child. I have also looked through this unit’s material and know that my child has completed his/her work and is now ready for a conference with an instructor. _________________________________ Parent Signature 8
CONCEPT: Much of the New Testament is in the form of epistles, or letters, written to early Christian congregations and individuals giving them instruction and encouragement in living the Christian life.
PURPOSE: 1. To understand an epistle as a form of New Testament literature. 2. To review the four types of literature in the New Testament. 3. To learn who wrote the epistles of the New Testament. 4. To become more familiar with the epistle of Colossians.
PRAYER: As you work on this unit, pray each day. You might especially pray: • to ask God to bless the work of missionaries throughout the world. • to thank God for the gifts of forgiveness and salvation given you at Baptism. • to confess your sins. You can be sure of his forgiveness!
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Complete the following learning activities, in order. _____Read "New Testament Epistles" on page 2 of the unit materials. _____Complete Worksheet # 1, "New Testament Epistles", page 3. _____Complete Worksheet # 2, "Who Wrote the Epistles?", page 4. _____Read Paul's letter to the Colossians from your Bible _____Complete Worksheet # 3, "Colossians", page 5. _____Prepare for your unit conference by using Worksheet # 4, "Questions for Unit 7", page 6. _____Complete “Review Sheet : Unit 7”, page 7. _____Do the “Family Discussion Page” with your parents and get their signature on page 8.
(Some of the material in this unit was written by Rev. W. W. Wehmeier and is reprinted with his permission.)
1
NEW TESTAMENT EPISTLES Unit 7 In the New Testament, there are four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), one book of history (Acts), and the final book of Revelation, which is a series of visions about Christ's second coming. In between Acts and Revelation is a series of 21 books we call epistles. The word epistle means letter. Those 22 books are letters written by several of the apostles to various Christians or groups of Christians. Look at the table of contents in the front of your Bible to find these epistles and to see their correct spelling. The epistles begin with Romans and end with Jude. Some of these epistles get their name from the churches to which they were written. Romans was written by Paul to the Christian congregation in Rome. I and II Corinthians are two letters written to the congregation in Corinth. Galatians was written to several congregations in the province of Galatia. Ephesians is Paul's letter to the Christians in Ephesus, Philippians to those in Philippi and Colossians to those in Colossae. I and II Thessalonians were written by Paul to the congregation in Thessalonica. All of these places were cities of the Roman empire--except Galatia, which was a province or state. Paul also wrote four letters to individual people. They are named for the people to whom Paul wrote -- I and II Timothy, Titus and Philemon. The New Testament contains one letter for which we do not know the author, Hebrews. It is called Hebrews because it was written to Jewish Christians and has many Old Testament references. Remember that the Jews are sometimes called Hebrews and the Old Testament was originally written in the Hebrew language. Hebrews and the seven remaining letters in the New Testament are called the catholic or general epistles. The word catholic means general or universal. These eight letters seem to have been written to Christians in general and not specifically to one congregation. These epistles are named according to who wrote them: James, Peter, Jude and John. All of these 21 New Testament letters were originally written in Greek. That was the most common language in the world at the time. Like the entire Bible, the epistles are the divinely inspired Word of God. The writers of the epistles were motivated and moved to write as the Holy Spirit directed them.
2
WORKSHEET # 1: NEW TESTAMENT EPISTLES Unit 7 Read "New Testament Epistles" on page 2 and use your Bibles to complete the following. 1.
List the books of the New Testament under their correct category.
GOSPELS: _______________ _______________ _______________ _____________
HISTORY:
_______________
EPISTLES: ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________
BOOK OF VISIONS:
______________________
2.
Which is the one epistle for which we do not know the author? _________________
3.
The Old Testament was originally written in what language? ___________________
4.
The New Testament was originally written in what language? __________________
5.
What does the word epistle mean? ______________________________________.
6.
What does the word catholic mean?______________________________________. 3
WORKSHEET # 2: WHO WROTE THE EPISTLES Unit 7
1
Look at Galatians 1:1-5. This is a salutation in an epistle. It tells who wrote the letter. Who? _________________________________________________ It also tells to whom the letter is written. To whom? _________________________ It then gives a short greeting and prayer.
2.
Look at the verses suggested for each of the epistles. Then write in the correct column who wrote the epistle and to whom it was written. EPISTLE
WHO WROTE IT
TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN
Romans 1:1 & 7
___________________________________________________
I Corinthians 1:1-2
___________________________________________________
Galatians 1:1-2
___________________________________________________
Ephesians 1:1
___________________________________________________
Philippians 1:1
___________________________________________________
Colossians 1:1-2
___________________________________________________
I Thessalonians 1:
___________________________________________________
I Timothy 1:1-2
___________________________________________________
Titus 1:1 & 4
__________________________________________________
Philemon 1:1-2
___________________________________________________
James 1:1
___________________________________________________
I Peter 1:1-2
___________________________________________________
I, II, III John
John, the disciple of Jesus
Jude 1:1
___________________________________________________ 4
WORKSHEET # 3: Colossians Unit 7 Read the book of Colossians and answer the questions given. The first three chapters tell what God has done for His people in Christ. The final three chapters tell the people how they should live as Christians. 1.
1:1 Who wrote the book of Colossians? __________________________________
2.
1:3-14 Paul says “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us…” List three of these blessings. (Three things God does or has done for us.) 1. ______________________________________________________________
3.
2.
______________________________________________________________
3.
______________________________________________________________
2:13-15 Once you were "dead in your sins". What has Christ done for you according to these verses? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
5.
3:1-17 These are some rules for living that Paul gives. List 4 of the things we are to "put to death" and rid ourselves of. 1. __________________________ 3.___________________________________ 2. __________________________
4. ___________________________________
List 4 things that we are to "clothe ourselves with" and do. 1. _________________________
3.__________________________________
2. _________________________
4. __________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ 6.
3:18-21 Paul gives advice for having a happy family. What is the advice? ___________________________________________________________________ 5
WORKSHEET # 4: QUESTIONS FOR UNIT 7 Unit 3 1.
Refer to the PURPOSE statements on the front page of this unit. Do you understand all of the points listed. Write any questions you have about these PURPOSE statements and Unit 7 here. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
2.
The first chapters of most New Testament epistles give doctrinal facts about our faith. They tell what Jesus has done and what we are to believe about Jesus. If you were to write an epistle what three things would you include that tell what we should believe about Jesus? (See Colossians 1-2 for an example.) 1. _________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________
3.
The second half of most New Testament epistles give rules and encouragement for living God-pleasing lives. If you were to write an epistle what three points would you include that tell how we should live our Christian lives? (See Colossians 3-4 for some examples.) 1. _________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________
6
REVIEW SHEET: UNIT 7 Match the following by writing the correct letter in the blank. If you are unsure of an answer look back in Units 1-6. _____1.
Created, protects and preserves us
a. Mark
_____2.
Redeemed us by His death
b. I Kings
_____3.
Calls and keeps us in faith
c. Triune God
_____4.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
d. gospel
_____5.
An Old Testament history book
e. concordance
_____6.
An Old Testament prophet book
f. Moses
_____7.
A New Testament epistle
g. commentary
_____8.
A New Testament Gospel book
h. God the Holy Spirit
_____9.
Baptism, Holy Communion and the Word
i. Jacob
____10.
Tells where passages are located
j. Isaiah
____11.
Gives explanation and background of certain verses k. God the Father
____12.
Received promise from God, "I will bless you..."
l. means of grace
____13.
Had 12 sons, later his name was changed to Israel
m. God the Son
____14.
Led the Israelites out of Egypt
n. Romans
____15.
Means "good news"
o. Abraham
7
FAMILY DISCUSSION PAGE Unit 7 It is a blessing to discuss and share your faith with family members. Talk about the items in this page with your parents. A parent is to sign his/her name at the bottom to show that you have spent time together with this unit. 1. Ephesians is one of the New Testament Epistles. It is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Ephesus. Read Ephesians 1 together. Select your favorite verse and tell why.
2. Remember a letter that you have received that gave good news and/or offered encouragement to you. Make a point to write such a letter to a friend or family member.
I have discussed these questions with my child. I have also looked through this unit’s material and know that my child has completed his/her work and is now ready for a conference with an instructor. _________________________________ Parent Signature 8
