Growth, Grace, and the Revealed Mystery

A Multi-Session Bible Study

Purpose of the Study
To observe how the Holy Spirit matured Paul’s understanding, language, and ministry over time—especially in regard to grace, identity, weakness, and the mystery of Christ among the Gentiles.

That is 37 years of wide-open ministry by Paul.  Many of us have not even been surrendering and pursuing Jesus that long, let alone writing in-depth theology. If we just look back over our own history we can see our raw, newness of Christ, like a little shoot bursting out with great confidence.

If we did honestly write down our thoughts and beliefs back then, as some of you may have done, we could look back and almost chuckle at what we did not know.  Not that our thoughts were incorrect, but they truly have developed over the years.  This is no different than the writings of Paul.

Paul’s earliest letter was to the church in Galatia and it is laying out the Gospel with zeal, but when we read of the letters to the Corinthian church it is more serious, taking on more difficult topics. Then in his later years the book of Ephesians focuses on unity.  Find below a chronological list of Paul’s books and the spiritual emphasis.

Paul used his testimony over and over again, not in a prideful way but in a relational way. He wanted people to realize that he did not have it all figured out. That if God could use him, anyone could be used.

If we look at the timeline we can also see where Paul has matured. The Paul that opened up about his own weakness in Romans, matures in his faith to later disclose the revelation or mystery of God in Colossians and Ephesians.

Each and everyone of us can reflect back on how we used to think or interpret the Scriptures and overtime we mature and gain more and more insights, and that is no different with the life and writings of Paul.

Our Study Series:

• A Chosen Vessel in Process (Acts & Early Awareness)
• Early Letters: Zeal, Defense, and the Tension of Freedom
• The Inner Conflict: Honest Struggle Without Resolution
• Learning Weakness: Power Reframed
• The Turning Point: The Mystery Now Clarified
• Prison Epistles: The Mystery Revealed
• Final Letters: Wisdom Without Defensiveness
• Living the Same Journey: Our Growth in Christ