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Philippians
The Book of Philippians was written in approximately A.D. 61. while Paul was imprisoned
by Emperor Nero in Rome. It is also sometimes called the Epistle of Joy as the apostle
encouraged them to live joyfully despite their su erings. The occasion of the epistle was
to acknowledge a material gift from the church at Philippi. Paul planted this church on
his second missionary journey. One of the members, Epaphroditus, delivered a gift to
Paul while he was in prison. In this epistle Paul tells us how we can rejoice in our faith in
spite of su ering, and how to not be anxious.
Key verse:
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

Colossians
The Book of Colossians is a theological powerhouse that gives one of the most profound
explanations about Jesus Christ found anywhere in the Bible. A heresy had arisen in the
church of Colosse that denied the full humanity of Christ and also did not accept the full
deity of Christ. Additionally, Jewish converts were insisting on a return to circumcision
and other Jewish legal requirements, which Paul addresses. Finally, the apostle explains
how we are to live as Christ-followers at home, with others, and at work.
Key verse:
"He is the image of the invisible God, the rstborn over all creation. For by him all
things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether
thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him"
(Colossians 1:15-16).

I Thessalonians
In this letter, written about A.D. 50, the Apostle Paul is writing to the church at
Thessalonica and trying to clear up misconceptions about the second return to earth of
Jesus Christ. He also gives instruction on how Christians are to live out holy lives. The
book is important in that it assures us we won’t experience God’s wrath and that we can
have con dence as God followers, that whether we are dead or alive when Christ
returns, we will be together with Him.
Key verse:
"We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with
Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell
you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not
precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from
heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet
call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise rst. After that, we who are still alive and
are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).

II Thessalonians
The Book of 2 Thessalonians is lled with information about the end times and the
wicked Antichrist to come. The books also exhorts us not to be idle and to work for what
we have.
Key verse:
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one”
(2 Thessalonians 3:3).