Six week class: January 11/12, 2023 – February 15/16, 2023
Wednesdays Online @ 1pm
Thursdays @ 1pm, Community Classroom
We continue our study of our faith family tree in our Ancestors Series with an in-depth look at Saul of Tarsus (aka: Paul, the Apostle). Join us for this six-week study as we follow the journeys of Paul, beginning with his dramatic conversion, as he spread the Gospel through modern-day Greece and Turkey. Travel to the early church sites and explore Paul’s conversations with the early congregations he helped form from Rome to Ephesus. In this study, you are invited to experience faith through Christ’s greatest teacher and missionary and see how we too are Called to Follow Christ, Go, Suffer, Love, Give, and Be Faithful just as he was. This book and DVD series features Adam Hamilton (who led our sessions on Simon Peter) on location in modern-day Greece and Turkey, guiding us through a Bible study tracing the travels and teachings of Paul along with images and reflections from Pastor Danielle’s own travels in the Footsteps of Paul during her seminary studies.
Grab your favorite Bible and come for either class or join us for both to steward the gift of fellowship! If you would like your own copy of the book, they can be ordered HERE.
Contact info@tllc.org for the login information for the online class or to get the recorded videos of each class.
Class Schedule:
January 11/12: Called to Follow Christ
It could reasonably be argued that no other human, apart from Jesus himself, has had a greater impact on the world (and certainly Christianity) than Paul of Tarsus. Yet Paul is not without his critics. Join us this week as we take a look at Paul’s Jewish background and upbringing as well as his conversion story as the foundational pieces for his ministry that would change the course of Christianity by introducing Jesus of Nazareth to the Gentile world and establishing churches in his name. As we learn from this Ancestor of Our Faith, we will consider our own conversion experiences throughout our lives and how God has used our own pasts (good, bad, and ugly) for God’s good and glory.
January 18/19: Called to Go
It could reasonably be argued that no other human, apart from Jesus himself, has had a greater impact on the world (and certainly Christianity) than Paul of Tarsus. Join us this week as we take a look at Paul’s first missionary journey, how he created a modus operandi for future missionary work, set up the congregations with leaders to continue his work, and maintained connections through his letters. As we learn from this Ancestor of Our Faith, we will consider our own “call to go” where God is calling us – sometimes into unknown or uncharted territory.
January 25/26: Called to Suffer
It could reasonably be argued that no other human, apart from Jesus himself, has had a greater impact on the world (and certainly Christianity) than Paul of Tarsus. Join us this week as we take a look at the beginning of Paul’s second missionary journey, how he followed the Holy Spirit, adapted from his typical MO in Philippi to meet Lydia (who would become the first European convert), was imprisoned and managed to convert his guard, and started a group of believers in an area that would later support two basilicas. And yet, Paul suffered from the division in the early Christian community and among his colleagues as well as from persecution and imprisonment. As we learn from this Ancestor of Our Faith, we will consider our own “call to suffer” for the sake of the Gospel as followers of Christ.
February 1/2: Called to Love
It could reasonably be argued that no other human, apart from Jesus himself, has had a greater impact on the world (and certainly Christianity) than Paul of Tarsus. Join us this week as we take a look at the second half of Paul’s second missionary journey, how he followed the Holy Spirit, used his persuasive preaching in a variety of settings, and empowered fledgling believers through mentorship and his epistles. Paul demonstrated love in the early Christian community by his example and with his words. As we learn from this Ancestor of Our Faith, we will consider our own “call to love” others – especially for those who differ from us – for the sake of the Gospel as followers of Christ.
February 8/9: Called to Give
It could reasonably be argued that no other human, apart from Jesus himself, has had a greater impact on the world (and certainly Christianity) than Paul of Tarsus. Join us this week as we take a look at Paul’s missionary journey to Ephesus, how he emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit, taught and performed miracles, caused an economic uproar, and collected a special offering for the church in Jerusalem. Paul demonstrated the importance of giving in Christian community by his example and with his words. As we learn from this Ancestor of Our Faith, we will consider our own “call to give” of our time, talent, and treasure for the sake of the Gospel as followers of Christ.
February 15/16: Called to Be Faithful
It could reasonably be argued that no other human, apart from Jesus himself, has had a greater impact on the world (and certainly Christianity) than Paul of Tarsus. Join us this week as we take a look at Paul’s missionary journey as it comes to a close with his return to Jerusalem, how he presented the Gentile collection & how it was received, how he was arrested (again) and put on trial (multiple times). We will also look at the circumstances around his death and his legacy in Christianity. Paul demonstrated the importance of being faithful by his example and with his testimony. As we learn from this Ancestor of Our Faith, we will consider our own “call to be faithful” by sharing our own faith stories with others for the sake of the gospel.