Unit 5: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians

• Week 1: The Sound Gospel
• Week 2: Sons and Heirs Through Christ
• Week 3: Walk in the Spirit
• Week 4: The Mystery of Christ
• Week 5: The Practical life of the Church
• Week 6: Rejoice in the Lord

Week 1: The Sound Gospel

Title: Defending the gospel / No return to the Law

Objective: 

• Review God's calling to St Paul
• Explain how St Paul consulted with the Apostles regarding his preaching
• How the Holy Spirit works in each of us according to His purpose
• St Paul confronts St Peter regarding the Judaizers 

Resources:

• Catena Bible Commentary
• HEMY Bible Study(Includes material)
• Fr Dawoud Lamie's Bible study (Easy Arabic)
• Fr Tadros Y Malaty commentary

Reading:

• General
  • Galatians 1:1-10 (Do not believe any other gospel)
  • Galatians 1:1-17 (God calls St Paul to the apostleship)
  • Galatians 1:18-24 (St Paul - even as an Apostle, goes to Jerusalem to verify that his preaching is sound)
  • Galatians 2:1-10 (Defending the Gospel / The Holy Spirit works in each one according to His purpose)
  • Galatians 2:11-21 (St Paul confronts St Peter regarding the Judaizers) 

Key verse(s):

• " I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" Galatians 2:20

Comments:

Review questions:

Chapter1 

• What was St. Paul’s former conduct before he became Christian?
• What did the Churches of Judea hear about St. Paul?
• What was the origin of the Gospel St. Paul preached?
• Prove that St. Paul was a devout Jew.

Chapter 2

• Was St Paul teaching a different Gospel than the Apostles?
• What did St. Paul blame St. Peter for?
• Were there two Gospels one for the uncircumcised and one for the circumcised? Explain.
• Why was St. Paul upset with St. Peter?

Homework:

Chapter1 

• Why did the Lord Jesus Christ give Himself for our sins?
• From where did St. Paul receive the Gospel he preached?
• This letter of St. Paul was written to the churches of a) Ephesus b) Laodicea c) Galatia 
• How long did St. Paul stay with St. Peter? A) 5 days b) 10 days c) 15 days

Chapter 2

• Who went with St. Paul to Jerusalem? A) Barnabas b) Titus c) Barnabas and Titus
• Who seemed to be the pillars of the church?
  a) St. James b) Cephas c) St. John d) all of the above
• Who went with St. Paul to Jerusalem?
• Who were the pillars of the Church as described by St. Paul?

Week 2: Sons and Heirs Through Christ

Title: Sons and Heirs Through Christ

Objective: 

• Salvation is made true by the Lord Jesus not buy the Law
• The purpose of the law according to St Paul
• Therefore you are no longer slaves but a sons
• St Paul fears for the church in Galatia and reasons with them 
• Abraha's sons as a symbol of the two covenants 

Resources:

• Catena Bible Commentary
• HEMY Bible Study(Includes material)
• Fr Dawoud Lamie's Bible study (Easy Arabic)
• Fr Tadros Y Malaty commentary

Reading:

• General
  • Galatians 3
  • Galatians 4

Key verse(s):

• "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Galatians 3:27

Comments:

Review questions:

Chapter 3

• Who was the first person to get the promise that God will justify the Gentiles? What was the
  condition for that?
• What was the role of the law?
• What is the “law” mentioned many times in this Epistle? And what is the curse of the law that the
  Lord Jesus Christ redeemed us from?
• Why was the law given?

Chapter 4

• What happened in the fullness of time?
• What is sometimes the result of telling the truth? Give verse.
• What is the fullness of time?
• What do Hagar and the freewoman (Sarah) symbolize?

Homework:

Chapter 3

• Who is the seed St. Paul is talking about?
• What is the time difference between God’s promise to Abraham and the law?
• The law came how many years after Abraham? A) 30 b) 50 c) 430
• Therefore the law was our________ to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by _____.
• Who is the seed St. Paul is talking about?
• What is the time difference between God’s promise to Abraham and the law?

Chapter 4

• But when the fullness of the ________ had come, God sent forth His ___________
• And because you are ________, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "____________ _________!"
• When did God send forth His son?
• Who cries out “Abba, Father?” 

Week 3: Walk in the Spirit

Title: Walk in the Spirit

Objective: 

• In the New Testament we are freed from fulfilling the Law (Mosaic Law)
• Use this liberty to grow spiritually and live according to the Lord's commandments 
• Walk in the Spirit - discuss the works of the flesh and how to overcome them 
• Discuss the Fruit of the Spirit - how to attain them and how to apply them in our lives
• Bear with one another 

Resources:

• Catena Bible Commentary
• HEMY Bible Study(Includes material)
• Fr Dawoud Lamie's Bible study (Easy Arabic)
• Fr Tadros Y Malaty commentary

Reading:

• General
  • Galatians 5
  • Galatians 6

Key verse(s):

• "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16

Comments:

Review questions:

Chapter 5

• How should we use our liberty?
• Give examples of the works of the flesh.
• For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. Explain
• St. Paul tells us three ways to function in the Spirit of God. What are they and what results come out of this guidance?

Chapter 6

• What is “the Law of Christ” in verse 3?
• What does St. Paul mean by “the marks of the Lord Jesus?”
• What deceptions does St. Paul warn the Galatians not to fall into?
• What contrast does St. Paul show between the Jews and himself?

Homework:

Chapter 5

• For all the _________ is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall _______ your neighbor as __________."
• But the fruit of the _________ is love, joy, ________, longsuffering, kindness, __________, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
• How should we use our liberty?
• What is the fruit of the Spirit?

Chapter 6

• He who sows to the Spirit will of the _______ reap ____________ _________.
• But God forbid that I should boast except in the _________of our Lord Jesus ____________.
• The one who sows with the Spirit what will he reap?
• To whom should we do good?

Week 4: The Mystery of Christ

Title:  The Mystery of Christ 

Objective: 

• We are redeemed through Christ, predestined through His work of salvation (Briefly explain predestination from the fathers teaching) 
• Characteristics of the heavenly wisdom 
• Christ is our peace and cornerstone 
• The mystery of Christ is the call of the Gentiles to partake of the inheritance and to obtain the promises in Christ through the Gospel.

Resources:

• Catena Bible Commentary
• HEMY Bible Study(Includes material)
• Fr Dawoud Lamie's Bible study (Easy Arabic)
• Fr Tadros Y Malaty commentary

Reading:

• Read Eph 1:1-14 
  • First objective
• Read Eph 1:15-22
  • Second objective
• Read Eph 2:1-13 
  • Fist objective - explain that "works" refer to works of the law
• Read Eph 2:14-22
  • Third objective - Living with Christ bring peace to my life
    
• Read Eph 3
  • Fourth objective

Key verse(s):

• " Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" Ephesians 3:20

Comments:

Review questions:

Chapter 1

1. What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Son?
2. What is the church in relation to Christ?
3. The word predestined is mentioned more than once in this Chapter. Does this mean that we do not
   have free will?
4. “Purchased possession” What is Paul talking about? 

Chapter 2

1. What was our condition outside of Christ?
2. What was the Gentiles' condition outside of Christ? 
3. How has Jesus become "our peace" through His death on the cross?
4. Give verse that mentions the Trinity. 

Chapter 3

1. What is the "mystery" that has now been revealed?
2. Though viewing himself as "less than the least of all the saints", what gracious task was
   given to St Paul? 

3. What has Christ therefore made possible for us?

Homework:

Chapter 1

1. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has ________ us with every __________ blessing in the __________ places in _________
2. We were sealed with the __________ ____________

Chapter 2
1. For by ______ you have been saved through ________, and that not of yourselves; it is the _________ of God,
2. For through _______ we both have access by one _________ to the Father.

Chapter 3
1. Who revealed God’s mystery to the holy Apostles and the Prophets?
a) The Gospel b) The Spirit c) the priests d) St. Paul
2. Therefore I ask that you do not lose _____ at my _________ for you, which is your ______

Week 5: The Practical life of the Church

Title:  The Practical life of the Church

Objective: 

• Unity and respecting talents
  
• Worship and behavior
• Practical life and spiritual strife

Resources:

• Catena Bible Commentary
• HEMY Bible Study(Includes material)
• Fr Dawoud Lamie's Bible study (Easy Arabic)
• Fr Tadros Y Malaty commentary

Reading:

• Read Eph 4:1-6
  • How we should deal with each other as family (we pray it every morning)
• Read Eph 4:7-16
  • Each of us has a gift - the goal is One 
• Read Eph 4:17-24
  • We ought to live according to our calling 
• Read Eph 4:25-32
  • How we should deal with each other as family
• Read Eph 5:1-21
  • Same theme as above
• Read 5:22-33
  • Christian marriage - Christ and the Church
• Read Eph 6:1-9
  • Same theme as above
• Read Eph 10-20
  • The whole Armor of God 

Key verse(s):

• " ^{do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30}

Comments:

Review questions:

Chapter 4

1.  Verses 1-6 are part of a prayer in our Coptic church. Which prayer and when do we recite it?
2. What sort of things are we to put away and what sort of things should we be doing instead?
3. Now this, "He ascended"; what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?
4. "Be angry, and do not sin" Is it OK to be angry? 

Chapter 5

1. Why did Jesus love and give Himself for the church?
2. What is Paul's summation regarding marital responsibilities?
3. What are the Christians’ responsibilities mentioned in this chapter?
4. What is either the means or the evidence of one filled with the Spirit?  

Chapter 6

1.  List the armor of God.
2.  What else more important should we add to this armor? 
3. List the armor of God.
4. What is praying in the Spirit?  

Homework:

Chapter 4

1. There is one body and one _______, just as you were called in one _____ of your calling; one Lord, one ______, one _______; one God and Father of all
2. "Be ______, and do not sin": do not let the ______ go down on your wrath.

Chapter 5 

1. Therefore be ________ of God as dear children. and walk in _______, as Christ also has loved us and given ________ for us, 
2. For the husband is _______ of the wife, as also _______ is head of the church; and He is the _______ of the body.

Chapter 6

1. Children, obey your _______ in the _______, for this is ________
2. Put on the whole _________of God, that you may be able to _________ against the wiles of the __________ 

Week 6: Rejoice in the Lord

Title:  Rejoice in the Lord 

Objective: 

• U

Resources:

• Catena Bible Commentary
• HEMY Bible Study(Includes material)
• Fr Dawoud Lamie's Bible study (Easy Arabic)
• Fr Tadros Y Malaty commentary

Reading:

• Chapter 1
  • Read Phil 1:1-11
    • Thankfulness and prayer
  • Read Phil 1:12-18
    • Christ is preached either way 
  • Read Phil 1:19-26
    • St Paul's dilemma 
  • Read Phil 1:27-29
    • Witness to Christ by your conduct
• Chapter 2
  • Read Phil 2:1-11
    • Unity through humility 
  • Read Phil 2:12-18
    • Workout your own salvation 
  • Read Phil 2:19 - end
    • Timothy and Epaphroditus 
      
• Chapter 3
  • Read Phil 3:1-11
    • Nothing compares with Christ 
  • Read Phil 3:12-16
    • Focus on your goal 
  • Read Phil 3:17-end
    
    • Enemies of the Cross
• Chapter 4
  • Read Phil 4:1-7
    • Example for needed unity
  • Read Phil 4:8-9
    • Be positive
  • Phil 4:10-end
    • The Philippians generosity 

Key verse(s):

• Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice." Philippians 4:4

Comments:

Review questions:

Chapter 1

1. What is the dilemma that St. Paul describes in verses 23-24?
2. Find verses to prove that St. Paul was in prison while writing this Epistle.
   
3. Does St. Paul feel his present condition is somewhat of a stumbling block for him?

Chapter 2

1.  What must one do in order to follow St. Paul’s teachings and make him joyful?
2. As children of God, how should you perform tasks to please God?
3. Why does St. Paul compare himself to a drink offering?
4. What have been the results of the voluntary humiliation of the Lord Jesus Christ: from God and from created things?

Chapter 3

1. Who are the enemies of the Holy Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ and what will happen to them?
2. What is the path in attaining the gift of citizenship and what changes are there in gaining the citizenship
   of Heaven?
3. “That I may know Him and the power of His Resurrection.” Explain.
4. “Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body?” Explain

Chapter 4

1. What kind of things does St. Paul say to meditate upon?
2. How does St. Paul describe the donations sent by the Philippians?
3. What is the irony of St Paul saying, “Rejoice in the Lord. Again I will say rejoice.”?
4. Cite verses showing the generosity of the Philippians.

Homework:

Chapter 1

1. “For to me, to live is__________ and to die is ________________.”
2. "I pray your _____ may abound still more and more in _____________ and all discernment"
3.  Mention two ranks of the holy orders of the Church that are mentioned in this chapter.
4. What did St. Paul say he was praying for?

Chapter 2

1. Who is St. Paul planning to send to Philippi?
   a) St. Timothy b) St. Peter c) Onesimus d) St. John
2. Do all things without ___________ and ___________.
3. How would the Philippians fulfill St. Paul’s joy?
4. Who does St. Paul use as examples of humility?

Chapter 3

1. St. Paul was of the tribe of a) Judah b) Joseph c) the Lord Jesus Christ d) Benjamin
2. “But what things were a _____________ to me, these I have counted as a ___________ for Christ.”
   
3. St. Paul was from which tribe of Israel?
4. What will be the end of the enemies of the Holy Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ? 

Chapter 4

1. Rejoice in the _________ always. Again I will say, __________.
2. I can do all __________ through __________ who ___________ me.
3. What does St. Paul implore Euodia and Syntyche to be?
4. Find a verse that tells us we should do everything with prayer.