Class 24 – Paul’s Testimony of Christ
Suggested Pre-Class Readings
Read the following passages and look for a central message in Paul’s teachings. Please note that I am hyperlinking to the NRSV version as I think Paul is easier to understand in alternate translations:
In 1 Corinthians 15:22 Paul teaches, “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” How is this idea taught throughout Romans 5? What message do these verses have for you?
What does Paul teach about baptism in Romans 6:1-15? How does this influence how you think about your baptism?
Questions to focus on
What personal struggles does Paul relate in Romans 7 and 2 Corinthians 12? How do these connect to your own life?
What do you think Christ means by his phrase, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”?
People in Paul’s time (and sometimes today) caricature Christians and say, “They believe that because they are saved by grace that it’s okay for them to sin.” How would Paul answer the question, “Does grace mean we have license to sin?”
Be able to explain one model of how grace does not work and one model of how it can work (see charts and Brad Wilcox quote).
Optional Post-Class Readings
The talk, “His Grace Is Sufficient,” by Brad Wilcox, is a foundational talk in understanding the Savior’s grace.
How does experiencing the Savior’s grace influence our mental health? This brief overview by Daniel Judd has important insights (link to full article).
For additional insights on Paul’s words in Romans 7, see JST Romans 7. You might also be interested in reading “Paul as weak in faith in Romans 7:7–25,” by John F. Hart.
Acknowledgements
Insights from, discussions with, and resources authored by Dr. Stephan Taeger, Sheri Dew, Dr. Brad Wilcox, Dr. Robert Millet, Dr. Mark Ellison, Dr. Matthew Grey, Dr. Jason Coombs, Ben White, and plainenglish.com were used in the creation of this video.