Best Seller: Greetings and Salutations

Greetings and Salutations

Best Seller

7/21/24

Missions Pastor, Ben Grasser

21 of the 27 books of the New Testament are letters.

Thirteen of those were written by Paul, were named after their recipients, and are arranged by length:

• Romans
• 1 & 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Ephesians
• Philippians
• Colossians
• 1 & 2 Thessalonians
• 1 & 2 Timothy
• Titus
• Philemon

Eight general letters are named after their author:

• James
• 1 & 2 Peter
• 1, 2, & 3 John
• Jude
• Hebrews

The New Testament letters were , but they were not

1 Corinthians 1:2 (NLT)

Ephesians 1:1 (NLT)

Colossians 1:2 (NLT)

The recipients of the letters would have heard the entire letter read in one sitting.

The New Testament letters are …

1 Thessalonians 5:27 (NLT)

…for the

Colossians 4:16 (NLT)

The letters aren’t

The letters are timelessly practical to both the first century and to us.

The Gospel is

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NLT)

The letters are so valuable because they answer the most important question we can ever ask: “How do I follow Jesus?”

If you would like to know more about how to follow Jesus, text the word FORGIVEN to 94000 and someone on staff will contact you.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the most special letter you have ever received and why?
2. Do you have a favorite letter in the Bible? If so, what makes it your favorite?
3. Discuss the difference between the New Testament letters being written FOR us vs. being written TO us.
4. Why is this distinction important?
5. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:27 (NLT).
6. Why was it so important for the letters to be read in their entirety instead of broken down into pieces?
7. Why was it equally important for the recipients to understand that the letters were meant for the whole church?
8. What is the most “timeless advice” you have received from one of the New Testament letters?