Lessons from the Life of Paul

This video captures the Wednesday night Bible study at the Oak Hollow Church of Christ. The service opens with song worship, a congregational prayer, and an invitation song. Following the opening worship, the adult Bible class teacher leads the final lesson of the quarter on the apostle Paul, focusing specifically on the central theme of God's grace. The lesson explores how Paul understood, experienced, and taught God's grace—examining its role in prayer, daily strength, guidance through scripture, life planning, personal relationships, and the cost of true discipleship ("costly grace" versus "cheap grace").

JUL 22, 2026

Lessons from the Life of Paul Review and Discussion - Class 11

Michael Meade

This Bible class session, led by Michael Meade at the Oak Hollow church of Christ, serves as a recap and interactive discussion following 11-lessons from the series titled Lessons from the Life of Paul. Starting at the 29-minute mark, Michael opens the class by reflecting on Paul's radical transformation and setting a foundation for group participation through key scriptures in 1 Thessalonians and James. The lesson bridges Paul's historical journey--from his pre-conversion zeal as Saul of Tarsus to his calling as an apostle--with the personal faith journeys of the class participants. Through an exploration of Acts 9 and the concept of early believers being followers of the Way, the class engages in a discussion on conversion, personal zeal, spiritual endurance, and creating a supportive, non-judgmental church community.

JUL 15, 2026

Paul's Humility - Class 11

Steve Bookout

This video captures the Wednesday evening service of the Oak Hollow church of Christ, featuring a Bible class led by teacher Steve Bookout. The lesson is the eleventh installment of the series "Lessons from the Life of Paul" and focuses on Paul's humility. Before transitioning into the main topic, the teacher wraps up the previous week's discussion on Romans and the ongoing struggles with the flesh, emphasizing that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus who walk according to the Spirit. The core of the lesson defines humility using scriptural models, showcasing how the Apostle Paul continually emulated Christ's humility by considering others first, emptying himself of his past prestige, openly confessing his weaknesses, and maintaining absolute dependence on God through persistent prayer.

JUL 08, 2026

Paul's Struggle with the Flesh - Class 10

Steve Bookout

In this 10th installment of the series *Lessons from the Life of Paul*, teacher Steve Bookout leads a textual and practical study of Romans 7 and 8 to analyze the apostle Paul’s profound vulnerability regarding personal sin. By highlighting Paul's use of present-tense phrasing ("wretched man that I am"), the class establishes that spiritual warfare between the human spirit and the flesh is an ongoing reality for active Christians, rather than a description of a pre-conversion past. The lesson warns against the spiritual dangers of self-justification, horizontal comparison, and complacency. Ultimately, it delivers the foundational promise of the gospel: for those actively walking according to the Spirit, the struggles of the flesh are met with the triumphant, continuous cleansing of Christ, ensuring there is no condemnation in Him.

JUL 01, 2026

The Apostle Paul On His Missionary Journeys - Class 9

Steve Bookout

This class focuses on the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys, examining his interactions with different people to uncover personal and modern applications. Teacher Steve Bookout highlights Paul's strategic flexibility in evangelism, noting that while Paul adapted his approach depending on the audience, he never compromised the core message of the gospel. The lesson dives deeply into two specific accounts from the first missionary journey: Paul's intense confrontation with the false prophet Elymas in Paphos and the departure of John Mark from the mission group at Perga. The core takeaway emphasizes having wisdom, showing grace, and maintaining a proper attitude during internal church disagreements and external pushback.

JUN 24, 2026

Alter the Approach, Not the Message - Class 8

Randy Wooten

In this class, Randy Wooten explores a practical principle drawn from the ministry of the Apostle Paul and Jesus Christ: **altering the approach to different audiences while keeping the gospel message exactly the same.** Using biblical accounts from the book of Acts and the Gospels, Wooten demonstrates how Paul and Jesus adapted their communication styles based on whether they were speaking to Jews, Greeks, or specific individuals. The lesson challenges Christians today to meet people where they are, understand their cultures, find common ground, and ask penetrating questions to internalize biblical truth.

JUN 17, 2026

More on Paul's Zeal - Class 7

Steve Bookout

In this seventh class of the series *Lessons from the Life of Paul*, teacher Steve Bookout focuses on the character, actions, and behaviors of the Apostle Paul—specifically examining his unmatched zeal. Rather than strictly analyzing Paul’s theological doctrines, the class explores how his passion drove his ministry and how 21st-century Christians can apply his example to their daily lives. Bookout transitions from examining Paul's explicit scriptural teachings on zeal to looking at his real-world execution of it, culminating in the start of Paul's first missionary journey. The lesson serves as a call to action for modern believers to actively use their God-given gifts with enthusiasm and strategic intent rather than placing their faith on "cruise control."

JUN 10, 2026

Paul's Zeal - Class 6

Steve Bookout

In this Bible class presented to the Oak Hollow church of Christ on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, teacher Steve Bookout delivers the sixth installment of the Lessons on the Life of Paul series, focusing entirely on the defining characteristic of Paul's zeal. Bookout contrasts Saul's initial misguided, destructive fire as a persecutor with the unstoppable gospel zeal he maintained following his conversion on the road to Damascus. The lesson explores the biblical definitions of zeal, tracking its connections to both Christ's messianic character and the tragic historical pitfalls of religious passion detached from truth. Bookout emphasizes that godly zeal must remain anchored in divine knowledge, and he challenges Christians to cultivate an unwavering commitment to holy living and gospel advocacy. The study concludes by examining 1 Peter 3:15, exploring how honoring Christ as holy serves as a baseline for standing ready to defend the faith with gentleness and respect.

JUN 03, 2026

The Beginning of Saul's Suffering (Part 2) - Class 5

Randy Wooten

In this Bible class presented to the Oak Hollow church of Christ on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, teacher Randy Wooten continues the series Lessons on the Life of Paul by examining Acts chapter 9. Picking up directly after Saul’s basket escape from Damascus, the lesson explores Saul’s arrival in Jerusalem and the initial rejection he faced from the skeptical disciples. Wooten details how Barnabas stepped in as an advocate and bridge-builder, exemplifying his scriptural nickname, son of encouragement. The second half of the class transitions into Saul’s sudden departure to Tarsus after facing death threats from the Hellenists. Wooten frames this transition not as a setback, but as a providential season of preparation where God worked on Saul privately before elevating his public ministry. The lesson draws parallels to other Old and New Testament figures who underwent similar periods of isolation and character development.

MAY 27, 2026

The Beginning of Saul's Sufferings - Class 4

Randy Wooten

In this Bible class, teacher Randy Wooten explores the immediate aftermath of Saul’s (Paul’s) conversion on the road to Damascus. The lesson focuses on the fulfillment of God's declaration that Saul would suffer significantly for the name of Christ. Wooten highlights Saul's sudden and radical "paradigm shift" from a persecutor of Christians to an ardent proclaimer of Jesus in the synagogues. The class emphasizes that true discipleship involves counting the cost, being willing to transform one's mind, and understanding our role as mere instruments of God. The session concludes with an examination of Saul's narrow escape from his first death threat in Damascus, where he relied on the support of fellow believers to survive.

MAY 20, 2026

Saul's Conversion - Lessons from the Life of Paul - Class 3

Steve Bookout

In this lesson, Steve Bookout examines the dramatic conversion of Saul (later Paul) on the Damascus Road as recorded in Acts 9, with supporting accounts from Acts 22 and 26. The teaching emphasizes that Saul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle was accomplished by **God’s grace through faith**, not by any special or alternative method of salvation. Key themes include the role of grace (highlighted by the name and mission of Ananias), the necessity of repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, and the consistency of Paul’s conversion with the gospel message preached throughout the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament. The lesson counters common modern misconceptions (such as the “sinner’s prayer”) and encourages listeners to appreciate the power of God’s grace while remaining faithful.

MAY 13, 2026

Saul (Pre-Conversion) Part 2

Steve Bookout

In "Saul (Pre-Conversion) - Part 2," teacher Steve Bookout continues the "Lessons from the Life of Paul" series by examining Saul’s life and mindset before his conversion on the Damascus Road. Through Acts 22 and 26 (along with earlier chapters), the lesson explores Saul’s zealous persecution of the church — including his role in Stephen’s death, imprisoning believers, and attempting to force them to blaspheme. The core focus is on how a highly intelligent, well-educated, and sincerely devout Pharisee could be so wrong while feeling completely right. Bookout draws practical lessons about giving a defense of the faith with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), the danger of being sincerely mistaken due to upbringing, pride, and overconfidence in tradition/teachers, and the need to continually test all beliefs against Scripture.

MAY 06, 2026

Saul (Pre-Conversion)

Steve Bookout

In the first lesson of the series *"Lessons from the Life of Paul"* (delivered May 6, 2026), Steve Bookout introduces a study focused primarily on the *life* of Paul/Saul rather than just his teachings. The lesson examines the pre-conversion Saul as a violent, zealous persecutor of the church. Steve walks through the biblical text (primarily Acts 7:54–8:3 and Acts 9:1-2), detailing Stephen’s martyrdom, Saul’s approval of it, and his aggressive campaign to destroy the church by dragging believers to prison and consenting to their deaths. The lesson highlights Saul’s sincere but misguided zeal (acting “in good conscience” according to the Law as he understood it) and draws practical applications: God can sovereignly use even the evil actions of men for good (the persecution scattered believers who then spread the gospel), the necessity of bold proclamation of Christ even under pressure, and the danger of misplaced religious zeal. The class ends with encouragement to learn from Saul’s transformation and to actively teach Jesus so the church can grow.

Collection

Steve Bookout

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