Books Of The Bible
Week 10
II Timothy
This letter to Timothy is the last letter we have from the apostle Paul.  He was in prison in Rome and knew he would soon be put to death.  “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”  (II Timothy 4:6-8)  All of his companions had left except for Luke.  (II Timothy 4:11)  He wanted to see Timothy again (II Timothy 1:4) and asked him to bring his cloke before winter, as it must have been cold in the prison cell.  He also asked Timothy to bring the books and parchments.  Paul encouraged Timothy to “be strong” (II Timothy 2:1) and keep the faith.


Titus
Paul wrote this letter “To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.  For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shoudest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:”  (Titus 1:4-5)  Paul goes on to tell Titus how to select good, faithful men to be leaders of the church.  He also tells Titus to teach the older and younger men and women to live righteously.


Philemon
Onesimus was a slave who had stolen something from his master, Philemon, and run away.  Paul met Onesimus and he was saved.  Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon with this letter asking him to receive him, and put anything he owed him, to Paul’s account.


Hebrews
Some people believe that Paul wrote Hebrews, but the book does not say who wrote it.  It was written to the Jews and speaks of Abraham, Moses, and Aaron but explains that Jesus brings a “better hope” (Hebrews 7:19), “better testament” (Hebrews 7:22), “better covenant” and “better promises” (Hebrews 8:6), a “better country” (Hebrews 11:16), and a “better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35).  Chapter 11 is the faith chapter.  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good report.”  (Hebrews 11:1-2)  The writer goes on to tell of the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sara, Isaac and Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Rahab, David, Samuel and many others.  “And these all obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”  (Hebrews 11:39-40)   Then the writer gives instructions helpful to all of us.  “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (Hebrews 12:1-2)


James
A great verse to remember in this little book is James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”  It is wonderful that we can pray for wisdom.  Another key verse is James 1:22, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”  James tells us that others see our faith by the works that we do.  He also tells us how to present ourselves to God.  “Submit yourselves therefore to God… Draw nigh to God… Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”  (Portions of James 4:7-10)


I Peter
Peter wrote a letter to encourage the suffering churches, by reminding them that Christ also suffered.  “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:”  (I Peter 2:21-22)  “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”  (I Peter 4:12-13)   These words were written to Christians who may have been among those who were burned as torches or fed to lions for sport.  Peter tries to comfort those early believers.  “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”  (I Peter 5:6-10)



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New Testament Divisions
We are almost through our Books of the Bible Study.  Let’s look at how the books of the New Testament can be divided.  The first four books all tell about Jesus.  They are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  We call these books the Gospels.  There is one book of History, that is Acts, and it tells the history of the early church.  Next come the Letters written by the Apostle Paul.  They are Romans, I and II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I and II Thessalonians, I and II Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.  The General Letters are next.  They are Hebrews, James, I and II Peter, I, II, and III John and Jude.  The last book of the Bible is a book of Prophecy.  It is the book of Revelations.

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Week 10 -- Do You Know???

1.  What did Paul ask Timothy to bring to him?  ________________________________

2.  Who was Philemon’s runaway slave?  _________________________

3.  Matching

____  II Timothy      A)  Reminds us to be “doers of the Word”
____  Titus             B)  A letter about a runaway slave
____  Philemon       C)  Letter to a preacher to help the church at Crete
____  Hebrews D)  Encouraged the suffering church
____  James    E)  The last letter we have from the Apostle Paul
____  I Peter            F)  Includes the faith chapter about Noah, Moses,
Abraham, and many others

4.  Draw and label 5 different foods found in the Bible.