Romans 4 in Context

What is one ​ (a)   for how we ​ (b)   any of the ​ (c)   when we begin to read them?

Remember the technology that is used ​ (d)  

• scrolls and parchment
• approach
• New Testament letters
• best practice

Because letters ​ (a)   money and took ​ (b)   to produce in ​ (c)   times, says the Bible Project, a lot of time and effort went into making sure that the letter was ​ (d)   from beginning to end.

This is was not like today's emails or letter writing, where the material is either so very cheap or free, so you don't have to ​ (e)   when writing to friends.

• cost so much
• so much effort
• ancient
• crafted carefully
• think much about what you write

The implication here is, because the technology was so expensive and labor-intensive, the New Testament writers were ​ (a)   in what they wrote. Their message had a ​ (b)   from beginning to end.

So we as readers should look at any New Testament letter we read as ​ (c)   .

In other words, we should ​ (d)   pick out one verse and build an entire theology on it without ​ (e)   .

• purposeful
• consistent theme
• one whole literary work
• not
• placing it in context

Which apostle wrote the most New Testament?

• Peter
• John
• Matthew
• Paul
• Jude

Paul did ​ (a)   work alone on the letters he wrote that we have in the Bible. First, he had the ​ (b)   inspiring and guiding him. Second, he had other ​ (c)   helping him.

• not
• Holy Spirit
• human friends

Look at Paul's letters, especially the beginning of each one.

Look real quick.

1. 1. Draw who he mentions as his helpers in crafting the letters.

2. 2. And draw out the name of the book where you found out that they helped him

The Bible Project suggest that Paul might have kept collections of his poems, speeches, and prayers in his notebooks.

Click on the verse that is the most likely place for the Bible Project to have gotten this idea from.

The Bible Project claims that most ​ (a)   from the ​ (b)   would have been ​ (c)   or ​​ (d)   aloud by a reader/performer, when they reached their ​ (e)   .

• ancient letters
• Roman world
• read aloud
• performed
• intended audience

The implication from the previous question is that, according to the Bible Project, we should:

• read our only our favorite verses from the New Testament letters

• never read more than one chapter at a time to ourselves because we have limited time in a day

• read the entire letter, out loud, in one setting...as they were read aloud in the New Testament era

Reorder the following. What was the standard order/format of a New Testament letter, generally?

• The Body of the Letter: the main reason for writing to this particular audience at this particular time

• a prayer of thanks and/or a general greeting

• The Opening: names the author(s) and receiver(s)

• The Closing: could be specific greeting to individuals, travel plans, final requests, closing prayer