Welcome back to our small group study! John Barnett here. I want you to imagine we are sitting right across the table from each other, maybe at Panera or Starbucks, with our Bibles open and a fresh cup of coffee. Today, I am incredibly excited to introduce a class that takes us straight into the ancient streets of one of the most important cities in all of biblical history.
If you want to understand the exact geography of the biblical world and discover just how heavily the New Testament relies on one single location, you absolutely must join us for this lesson. Here are three memorable truths we will unpack together:
1. A 360-Degree Tour of the Ancient Roman Forum
Scripture References: Acts 18.
Summary of What’s Covered: We kick off the class with an amazing on-the-ground tour of ancient Corinth. We will stand right in the middle of the Roman forum, the bustling commercial heart of the city. We will look at the cardo (the main north-south road that bisected the city), the Springs of Peirene, and the towering ancient Temple of Apollo. I will also show you the massive Acrocorinth mountain and the famous Bema seat—also known as the rostra. This was a raised, city-block-long government platform where the proconsul would stand to issue judgments, which is exactly the spot Paul was brought to in Acts 18.
2. The 45-Chapter Footprint: God’s Vital Spot
Scripture References: 1 & 2 Corinthians; Romans.
Summary of What’s Covered: Next, we explore just how vital Corinth was to God’s New Testament plan. There are 27 books in the New Testament, but an astonishing 45 chapters are directly tied to this one single city! Paul wrote 29 chapters to the church there in 1st and 2nd Corinthians. But even more amazingly, he actually sat right there in the commercial area of Corinth to pen the 16 chapters of the book of Romans. When you add it all up, nearly one-fifth of your entire New Testament is connected to this one specific location!
3. From Commerce to Christ: The Miracle of the Corinthian Church
Scripture References: Romans (The practical outworking of the Gospel).
Summary of What’s Covered: Finally, we look at the incredible, transforming power of the Gospel. As we stand in the ruins of the largest, most commercial city of the ancient world, we realize that the magnificent theology found in the book of Romans is not just some abstract theory. Right there in the midst of pagan temples and worldly commerce, God was actively saving and growing saints. People were coming to Christ and having their lives completely transformed. Looking at the culture of the city, it is an absolute miracle that a church was even able to exist there!
If you want to walk the ancient streets of Corinth and marvel at God’s incredible blueprint for the New Testament, grab your Bible, get your historical map ready, and let’s master the Scriptures together!
From FTGC-36b – https://youtu.be/C6-Z4SUdR78
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