Sometime in the fall of 1996 I was ordering some books from Christian Book Distributors and came across a book entitled: The Life of the Apostle Paul by Albert Barnes. Thinking that this was a harmony of Paul's life (and because it was on sale), I purchased a copy. In the foreword of the book I found out that it was originally published under the title: Scenes and Incidents in the Life of the Apostle Paul. The book turned out to be 24 lessons from Paul's life that Barnes' felt would strengthen his readers and give them an approach to various types of people they might come in contact with as they lived their Christian lives.
While it was not the book I expected it to be, I found the lessons to be as appropriate to my adult Bible class (and myself!) as it was to Barnes' readers 150 years ago. Of course, any scriptural lesson is applicable for all times and I think you'll find these outlines to be both scriptural and thus applicable.
If you are going to use these lessons it would be worth the effort to obtain your own copy of Barnes' book and read it through thoroughly. Please note that as a Presbyterian, Barnes held many tenets of John Calvin at least in spirit if not in form. Therefore you will have to read past some of his opinions that lean in that direction.
Additional materials that I found helpful:
Tuten, Jimmy Jr., From Tarsus to Rome With Paul, (pub. date unknown)
Bruce, F.F., Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free , 1977, Eerdmans Publishing Co.
As you prepare these lessons and read Barnes' book you will find that I have done nothing more than outlined his chapters, deleted his denominationalism, translated his thoughts into "modern American" and added a few questions for class discussion. Please feel free to adjust these lessons to suit your needs. If you do find anything that you deem unscriptural please let me know.
Carey Dillinger
7206 Palm Ave.
Leesburg, Fl. 34788
August, 1997
e-mail: dillinc@yahoo.com