Unit 5: Pauline Epistles

• Week 1: Philemon
• Week 2: Titus
• Week 3: Hebrews 1-2
• Week 4: Hebrews 3-5
• Week 5: Hebrews 6-8
• Week 6: Hebrews 9-10
• Week 7: Hebrews 11
• Week 8: Hebrews 12-13
• Week
• Weekk

Week 1: Philemon

Week 1: Philemon

Objective: 

• Overview of the Pauline Epistles

• The Story of Philemon and Onesimus
• Brotherhood in Christ

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
  
• HEM Youssef Bible Study (English)
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible Study (Arabic)
• SUS COPTS

Reading:

• Philemon 1-25

Key verse(s):

“Having confidence in your obedience I wrote unto you, knowing that you will also do more than I say.” Philemon 21

Comments:

• Philemon is one of the four epistles St. Paul sent during his first imprisonment.
• Philemon was a disciple of St. Paul and he was a wealthy man. Onesimus was a servant of Philemon.
• Onesimus wronged his master and was caught and put in jail.
• In jail, he met St. Paul and repented. When St. Paul learned he was Philemon's servant, St. Paul sent this letter to Philemon asking him to accept him back as a brother in Christ.
• The theme of this epistle is the brotherhood in Christ

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. For what is St. Paul giving thanks?
2. What is St. Paul willing to do in behalf of Onesimus? 
3. What good things had St. Paul heard concerning Philemon?
4. In what does St. Paul have confidence as he writes to Philemon?
5. Why does St. Paul refer to himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus? 

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. St Paul wanted Philemon to receive Onesimus as a
   a) friend b) slave c) prisoner d) teacher
2. What does Paul call Onesimus? What does it mean?
3. How had becoming a Christian changed Onesimus? 
4. How could Philemon do more than what Paul had asked of him?

Week 2: Titus

Week 2: Titus

Objective: 

• Overview of the Pauline Epistles

• Tips for Spiritual Conduct

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
  
• HEM Youssef Bible Study (English)
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible Study (Arabic)
  

Reading:

• Titus chapters 1-3

Key verse(s):

“But you speak the things which become sound doctrine” Titus 2:1

Comments:

• Titus was the bishop of Crete and a disciple of St. Paul. He accompanied St. Paul to the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15.)
• St. Paul sent this epistle as a pastoral epistle.
• Chapter 1: Putting things in order
• Chapter 2: Adorn the doctrine
• Chapter 3: Maintaining good works

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. What were the two reasons Titus had been left in Crete?
2. On what basis can a bishop exhort and convict those who contradict the faith?
3. How should young women treat their husbands and children?
4. To whom did the Grace of God appear?
5. How has God in mercy saved us?
6. Who was Titus to reject after two admonitions? Why?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Where did St. Paul leave Titus?
   a) Rome b) Crete c) Jerusalem d) Egypt
2. A bishop must be:
   a) self-willed b) quick-tempered c) greedy for money d) blameless
3. But as for you, ______ the things which are proper for sound _______.
4. For the ______ of God that brings ________ has appeared to all ________.
5. 1. According to His _______ He saved us, through the _________ of regeneration and renewing of the Holy _________.
6. Those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good ________. a) standing b) behavior c) works d) teaching

Week 3: Hebrews 1-2

Objective: 

• God’s Supreme Revelation

• The Son Exalted Above Angels

• Do Not Neglect Salvation

• Bringing Many Sons to Glory

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
  
• HEM Youssef Bible Study (English)
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible Study (Arabic)
  

Reading:

• Hebrews 1-2

Key verse(s):

“But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool?” Hebrews 1:13

Comments:

• St. Paul this epistle to prove to the Jews that the Messiah is Christ 
• He also wanted to confirm to the recent Christians with Jewish background that Christ is the Messiah
• Hebrews 1 and 2: St. Paul wanted to prove that Christ is not an angel, but higher than all angels

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Who are the companions mentioned in verse 9?
2. Why is the Son better than the angels?
3. How can death destroy the power of death?
4. The 1st chapter talked about the Son being better than the angels, in this chapter we read the Lord Jesus Christ was made a little lower than the angels. Is there a contradiction? Explain. 
5. How was the Lord Jesus Christ made like His brethren?

Homework:

**Servant may add more questions

1. God made the world through His
   a) power b) Son c) light d) angels
2. "Sit at My right ________, Till I make Your ________ Your __________."
3. "I will declare Your name to My ________; In the midst of the assembly I will ________ praise to
   ______."
4. Who has the power of death? a) God b) the Lord Jesus Christ c) the angels d) the devil

Week 4: Hebrews 3-5

Objective: 

• Be Faithful

• The Promise of Rest

• Our Compassionate High Priest

• Qualifications for High Priesthood

• A Priest Forever

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
  
• HEM Youssef Bible Study (English)
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible Study (Arabic)
  

Reading:

• Hebrews 3-5

Key verse(s):

So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” Hebrews 5:5

Comments:

• Chapter 3: Moses is a great prophet. But he was a faithful servant in the house. Christ is the owner of the house.
• Christ is higher than the angels (Heb 1&2) and higher than Moses (Heb 3).
• Chapter 4: Christ is higher than Joshua. The names Jesus and Joshua are the same in Hebrews. Joshua is often likened to Christ, but in chapter 4 St. Paul wanted to show that Christ is higher than Joshua.
• Joshua gave them the land, Christ will give them eternal kingdom.
• Hebrews 5: Christ is higher than Aaron. Aaron was the first higher priest. Aaron's priesthood was stopped by his death. Christ's priesthood is forever (Heb 5:6).

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. What comparison does St. Paul makes between Moses and the Lord Jesus Christ?
2. “Do not harden your hearts.” What is St. Paul quoting and what does it mean?
3. Why did some people not profit from the Gospel they heard?
4. Describe the Word of God according to St. Paul.
5. What are the duties of the High Priest?
6. What is the difference between those who partake only of milk and those who take solid food? 

Homework:

**Servant may add more questions

1. For every _______ is built by someone, but He who built all ______ is ________.
2. For how many years did the fathers see the works of God?
   a) 10 b) 20 c) 40 d) 75
3. The Word of God is sharper than:
   a) a knife b) a razor c) a sword d) a needle
4. Who is our great High Priest?
   a) our Pope b) the Lord Jesus Christ c) our bishop d) our priest
5. Every high priest is appointed for men that he may offer both:
   a) gifts and sacrifices b) gold and silver c) bread and wine d) money

Week 5: Hebrews 6-8

Objective: 

• The Peril of Not Progressing

• God’s Infallible Purpose

• The King of Righteousness

• The Need for a New Priesthood

• Greatness of the New Priest

• A New Covenant

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
  
• HEM Youssef Bible Study (English)
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible Study (Arabic)
  

Reading:

• Hebrews 6-8

Key verse(s):

"In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:13

Comments:

• Chapter 6: comparison between OT and NT. The difference between both.
• Chapters 7&8: Christ and Melchizedek. Melchizedek had a special priesthood.
• He is the one who blessed Abraham the father of Aaron the high priest. He is a type of Christ.
• Melchizedek was the king of peace who was a type of the real king of peace.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. What are the two immutable things mentioned in verse 18?
2. Who is the forerunner mentioned in verse 20 and why was he called that name?
3. Why was Melchizedek considered great?
4. Why is the Lord Jesus’ priesthood superior to any other?
5. Why was there a need for a second covenant?
6. Mention four provisions in the New Covenant

Homework:

**Servant may add more questions

1.  For God is not ________ to forget your ________ and labor of love which you have shown toward His _________, in that you have ministered to the _______, and do minister.
2. By whom did God swear to Abraham?
   a) the Lord Jesus Christ b) The Holy Spirit c) Himself d) Israel
3. Melchizedek was also called King of:
   a) peace b) righteousness c) Salem d) all of these
4. Our Lord was from which tribe?
   A) Levi b) Judah c) Israel d) Joseph
5.  We have such a _________ _______, who is seated at the ________ hand of the throne of the Majesty in the _________.
6. He is also _________ of a better covenant, which was established on better _________.

Week 6: Hebrews 9-10

Objective: 

• The Earthly Sanctuary

• Limitations of the Earthly Service

• The Heavenly Sanctuary

• The Mediator’s Death Necessary

• Animal Sacrifices Insufficient

• Christ’s Death Perfects the Sanctified

• The Just Live by Faith

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
  
• HEM Youssef Bible Study (English)
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible Study (Arabic)
  

Reading:

• Hebrews 9-10

Key verse(s):

"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward." Hebrews 10:35

Comments:

• Chapters 9 and 10 talk about the OT vs NT sacrifices.
• Christ the sacrifice of the NT vs the OT sacrifices.
• All OT had limited effect and the blood of animals cannot forgive sins. 
• Christ's sacrifice is a propitiation for man's sins.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1.  What two gifts does the New Covenant provide to a believer?
2. Why was the Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice better than the sacrifices made under the Mosaic covenant?
3. Define “sanctification.”
4. How are we sanctified?
5. Compare between the Levitical priests and our High Priest.

Homework:

**Servant may add more questions

1. The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ cleanses:
   a) our body b) our heart c) our conscience d) our mind
2. The Ark of the _______ overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden _______ that had the ______, Aaron's _____ that budded, and the __________ of the covenant.
3. "This is the ______ that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their ________, and in their ________ I will _______ them."
4. Therefore do not cast away your _________, which has great _________. For you have need of ________, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the __________.

Week 7: Hebrews 11

Objective: 

• Definition of faith

• Pillers of faith from OT

• Faithful Abraham

• The Faith of the Patriarchs

• Overcoming through faith

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
  
• HEM Youssef Bible Study (English)
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible Study (Arabic)
  

Reading:

• Hebrews 11

Key verse(s):

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the ^[b]evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony." Hebrews 11:1-2

Comments:

• St. Paul defines faith in verses 1&2. Faith is trusting in God's timing and ability to control everything without knowing the time or seeing physical evidence.
  
• St. Paul goes through the OT story giving examples of faithful heroes highlighting the moments their faith shined.
• It is highly recommended that the servant goes through every story and gives a quick overview of the story and how the saint showed faith in their life.
• V.13: The patriarchs lived as strangers in the land that God gave them. They lived like strangers so they are not attached to the earth and its desires. 
• V.32: Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah were all judges, and through faith, they saved their people. Their stories are found in the book of Judges. 
• V. 33: All these judges and righteous kings subdued kingdoms and worked righteousness.
• V. 33: "stopped the mouths of lions" Like Daniel
• V. 34:
  • "quenched the violence of fire" - The three saintly youths
  • "escaped the edge of the sword" - Moses escaped when Pharoh wanted to kill him. David escaped when Saul sought after him. Elijah was saved after Jezabel threatened to kill him.
  • "out of weakness were made strong" Like the Israelites against the Egyptians. David against Goliath and Saul. The Maccabees against Antiochus Epiphanes.
• V. 35: Like the widows with Elijah and Elisha. Like the women at the time of the Maccabees. 
• V. 37:
  • "They were stoned" - Jeremiah was stoned in Egypt
  • "they were sawn in two" - King Manasseh killed Isaiah with a wooden saw.
• Note that verses 35-38 apply to the struggles they faced at the time of the Maccabees.
  • These stories are mentioned in 1&2 Maccaabees
  • These verses prove the authenticity of these books as St. Paul used them as references
• Some people mistakenly apply verse 38 to the monks and hermits in our Coptic church. Remember that St. Paul wrote this epistle hundreds of years before the monastic life was established and before the time of the saints that we know now.
• Note that all the stories mentioned here are well-known to the Hebrews. This is why St. Paul didn't mention some names.
  • For example, if I say the first deacon who was stoned by the Pharisees. You will automatically know it is St. Stephen without mentioning his name. 

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. What sacrifices would please God?
2. What should be our attitude towards our rulers?
3. How many widows had their sons back from death in OT?

Homework:

**Servant may add more questions

Week 8: Hebrews 12-13

Objective: 

• The Race of Faith

• The Discipline of God

• Renew Your Spiritual Vitality

• The Glorious Company

• Hear the Heavenly Voice

• Concluding Moral Directions

• Concluding Religious Directions

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
  
• HEM Youssef Bible Study (English)
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible Study (Arabic)
  

Reading:

• Hebrews 12&13

Key verse(s):

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us" Hebrews 12:1

Comments:

• As always, St. Paul always dedicates the last few chapters of every epistle with spiritual tips.
• Hebrews 12:1 St. Paul explains that the saints are surrounding us and supporting us in everything. But Jesus is the author and finisher of our race. 
• Hebrews 13:2 - entertain=host. St. Paul is referring to the time when Abraham showed great hospitality to three men before finding out he hosted Christ and two angels.  

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. What better things does the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ speak compared to Abel?
   
2. Who are in the city of the living God?
3. What sacrifices would please God?
4. What should be our attitude towards our rulers?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. "My son, do not despise the _______ of the LORD, Nor be _________ when you are ________ by Him.
2. Who is the Mediator of the New Covenant?
   a) Abraham b) the Lord Jesus Christ c) the high priest d) Israel
3. Jesus Christ is the same _________, _________, and ________.
4. For it is good that the ________ be established by _______, not with foods which have not profited those who have been _________ with them.

Week

Weekk