The Early Church
Reading these letters, we hear how the leaders of the early church worked to interpret the meaning of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection; dealt with concerns around his delayed return; and considered how to live as a community embodying Jesus’ teachings. These letters reveal networks of people in deep relationships of mutual love and care, committed to continuing traditions central to the faith, and acting with flexibility in regard to differing cultural values and individual preferences. Followers of Jesus in Corinth, Thessalonica, and today have extravagant freedom, and are invited to joyously use that freedom to care for one another.
lessons
1. Unity in Community (1 Corinthians 1:10–17; 3:1–4, 16–23)
2. Christ as Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18–31; 2:6–16)
3. Rules, Relationships, and Ritual (1 Corinthians 7:1–12, 17–24)
4. Culture and Religion (1 Corinthians 8:1–13; 10:23–11:1)
5. Spiritual Gifts and Love (1 Corinthians 12:4–14; 13:1–13)
6. Persecution and Forgiveness (2 Corinthians 1:3–14; 2:5–11)
7. New Covenant in Imperfect Vessels (2 Corinthians 3:1–11; 4:1–12)
8. Faith and Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 4:16–5:21)
9. Introduction to Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1; 2:1–12)
10. Traveling Ministry (1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:13)
11. Living for God until the Last Moment (1 Thessalonians 4:9–18; 5:1–11)
12. The End of the World as We Know It (2 Thessalonians 1; 2:1–12)
13. Salvation, Gratitude, and Good Work (2 Thessalonians 2:13–3:13)
writers
Cherice Bock
Lynette Davis
Eden Grace
Rhiannon Grant
Jennifer Newman
Paul Houston Blankenship
Michael Jay
Stuart Masters
Mackenzie Morgan
Christy Randazzo
Jade Rockwell
Ed Schneider
Ben Snyder
Vivek A. Solanky
Leigh Tolton