Introduction

Paul would suffer for Jesus. He would be persecuted and imprisoned. It was during these years of isolation and trials that he penned the Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon. I have chosen Philippians and Ephesians as our study this year because of what our world has experienced with the coronavirus. The fear, doubts, anxiety, and hopelessness that can plague a world during times of trials remind me of Paul’s circumstances when he wrote these letters. In these studies, we will see how Paul found purpose in isolation, the certainty of faith in a time of uncertainty, and the foundation of hope in a time of doubt. It all revolves around a man named Jesus who rose from the dead and sent us the presence of the Holy Spirit. We will come to know this third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, as we journey with Paul. We will look at the ancient covenants that God established with the Jewish people and how they translate to our world and our faith.