of Bible Study, Bible
Reading,
and
Daily Devotional Life
Introducing a
Major New Resource
for Bible Study and Devotion
Daily devotion through reading the Bible and Bible study
should be . . .
about finding God in your life,
about solutions to problems,
about discovering balance, direction, beauty, liberation,
hope, justice, happiness, love, peace, and purpose.
Bible
study, Bible reading, and daily devotion can be a
voyage of wonder, a compelling journey into the heart of God in
search, as it were, of the divine secret of God's inner being.
But especially in recent years, there has been a fall off of
Bible study, Bible reading, and Bible-based devotion.
There is a serious and growing problem.
Although no one really likes
to talk about it, there is a problem . . .
Devotional
literature has some bad habits.
Please understand, this is not an attempt to belittle the sincere efforts of
anyone. But the fact is, devotional approaches
have some unfortunate tendencies . . .
They often follow an over-simplified (and often shallow)
model of biblical exposition.
They often hop-skip-and-jump all over the place with
little or no regard to context.
They often gravitate to "feel-good" or "hot" topics
while bypassing equally important biblical concepts.
They often end up promoting (however unintentionally)
watered-down Christian teaching.
The
result is, Christians overall have a fragmented understanding of Scripture and
are often un-conversant with Scripture on its own terms.
Click
to hear a 1 minute excerpt about reading Scripture.
Say it isn't
so!
In fact,
Christians as a
whole are reading their Bibles less, or not at all.
Devotional
material is being used by many as a kind of "cliff-notes" of
the Bible, saving them the trouble of having to read the
Bible itself on any kind of responsible level.
Whether people
are afraid to read the Bible
(it's a big book!),
find it irrelevant,
are too busy,
or simply refuse to go past a basic understanding,
it's all the same: it doesn't get read!
The "Business of Devotion"
This is partially due to what is available. Academic
treatments of the Bible are often hard to
read and seem (or actually are) irrelevant to where people live. So, people have flocked to a more
"feel-good style" of
reading, which may or may not be biblically informed at
all.
During the 20th and 21st centuries, there has risen a vast
"business of devotion." In many cases, these
devotional approaches have watered-down Christian teaching to context-less, easy-to-swallow, emotional tid-bits
which appear inviting but in the long run can sap the message of the Bible of its
incredible depth, awesome power, and astounding mystery.
The point is not that all devotional approaches are harmful. Some approaches, can
be very helpful and inspiring. Not only that, some Christians have
a voracious appetite for reading Scripture.
A steady diet of many of the available devotional
approaches . . . can lead even strong readers away
from reading the Bible itself "in context," and certainly away from intelligent,
interactive, spiritual conversation with texts.
Even so, the pathway of typical or standard devotional approaches has
problems. Although light and airy approaches can be
refreshing at times, a steady diet of
many of the available devotional materials, and even many
of the free online "Bible studies" (often little more that
quick and easy topical outlines) can lead even strong readers away from reading the Bible
itself "in context," and certainly away from intelligent,
interactive, spiritual conversation with texts.
Because the problems stated above are so widespread, we set
out to see if we could break free from the traps and
pitfalls of standard practices.
The problem to be solved had four basic challenges:
How do we . . .
reach busy, intelligent readers,
bring them to a responsible handling of Scripture,
make it personal,
and keep them interested long-term?
Uncharted Territory
The solution was eventually called "Coffee with Paul."
And the approach was simple: What if you could sit
down over coffee every day with a biblical author?
This approach allows you to
explore truly uncharted territory in your devotional life. Here is
a unique and vigorous solution that brings vital concepts
together and creates a new kind of focus when reading
Scripture, a
solution that is so powerful
it can literally change lives,
and yet so simple and easy to follow
anyone can do it.
Here is a unique and vigorous solution
. . . a
solution that is so powerful
it can literally change lives,
and yet so simple and easy to follow
anyone can do it.
At the heart of the
approach are three principal benchmarks. The first two are not new,
but are approached as if they were, since they are now dealt
with a bit differently than is typical:
Instruction:
First, read in context.
The focus here is on the text we are reading, but an
energetic, innovative approach to that text. (We start
with the letters of Paul, but the principle applies to all
of Scripture.)
Devotion:
Second, read in a way that is relevant, engaging, and inspirational. The
focus here is on you and your situation, but a focus that is
thoughtful, probing, challenging, interactive, and honest, not simply self-indulgent.
Often, these two ways of reading are kept separate, as
though unrelated. Academics vs. Devotion. Academic books
are sometimes so academic they can hardly be read. Devotional books often totally ignore
context, and spend their time bouncing around like a
pin-ball machine, grabbing texts willy nilly to apply to
some current need being addressed.
Our approach avoids those pitfalls. Using both Instruction and Devotion as foundational benchmarks, we
now do something unheard of. We now add a third and vital component:
Conversation:
Third, read as if sitting across the table, one-on-one with a NT author.
This involves a great deal of intentional creativity and
imagination, things normally disallowed in
the Bible reading process.
Instructive Devotion
These
three important ideas are blended in a unique way in what we
call "Instructive Devotion:
A Conversational Reading of Scripture."
By focusing on the letters of Paul (as a starting place,
since his letters were the first of all NT documents to have
been written), we are able to explore the
notion of getting to know a biblical author as if having
coffee with him.
This is not a speed
reading course! It won't show or encourage you to
read the Bible in 3 days, 3 weeks, or 3 months.
Actually, it is just the opposite. It is about slowing
down and having a real conversation,
as with a friend.
This
is both a simple and compelling
concept. In
order to go from concerns about the text of Scripture (instruction)
to concerns about God in our lives (devotion), or
vice versa, we must
have conversation with and about both, and there must
be some continuity between them. It is the
conversation with both that allows us to understand both and
bridge them, as if sitting in front of the very author.
"InstructiveDevotion" combines the best of academic and
devotional models:
Instruction...Devotion...Conversation.
When substance touches spirit,
and faith fills-up learning,
lives change!
So,
does this new approach
work? Does it ever! And its result is a
major new resource . . .
After 5 years of experimentation, classroom
teaching,
coffee shop meetings, and engaging conversations,
Coffee
with Paul Ministries is proud to announce
a major new resource for individuals, groups, classes,
home-school settings, and more
anywhere in the world
(for now, English only):
Volume
1
A Divine Secret
Helps individuals and groups explore
the uncharted territory of biblically-based devotion.
Pioneers an all-new concept and format.
Calls for renewal in devotional and Bible reading practices!
Based on an all-new CWP translation
of Paul's Greek letters.
Introduces the
Coffee with Paul Series:
Unrelenting Faith
Click cover to look inside (opens PDF file)
Click cover to look
inside (opens PDF file)
HOW THIS NEW RESOURCE CAN HELP YOU . . .
. . .
take a vibrant, energetic look at the vital role of
faith in a world of upheaval and struggle;
. . .
experience firsthand a fresh, new approach to reading Scripture;
. .
. travel on a unique and intriguing
journey, step-by-step to a faith that just won't quit;
.
. .
feel like you are sitting down with Paul himself over Coffee and
talking about the most intensely important things in your life.
. . .
read as if sitting one-on-one with Paul who offers a
retelling of his own story. The story is written as if Paul himself is
doing the writing.
. . .
interact by personally sharing your own story in ways
relevant for each Encounter.
. . .
read from your own Bible as well as from other
translations, including a completely
new and fresh translation made exclusively for CWP participants.
. . . accomplish a contextual reading of part of Paul's
earliest letter, having contextual discussions as you proceed.
. . .
learn from multiple resources combined into one helpful
package.
. . .
get a thorough introduction to the alarming state of Bible reading among Christians
today.
"Having
a cup of coffee with the authors of the NT" is both an exciting and
appealing way to conceive of what is a unique encounter with the text of
the NT. Gary Collier, the moving force behind the program, is an extremely
gifted Bible scholar and at the same time an especially exciting and
effective teacher. Those who participate in this program will not only
receive the very best instruction but will find practical resources for
their spiritual life and their daily walk. I know of nothing comparable to
this exciting innovative program and I am happy to recommend it with the
highest enthusiasm.
Dr. Donald A. Hagner, Ph.D.
George Eldon Ladd Professor of New Testament
Fuller Theological Seminary
As
Paul and I started discussing the Saving Message of Jesus Christ
through the Coffee with Paul book, my whole world began to change.
My eyes began to open up to things that I had never seen before. I started
learning things, growing in my spirit, comprehending the things that I was
reading. And for me that was a feeling of accomplishment in itself.
The way I viewed myself, others, and life itself started to change. I
could not only feel the changes but I could see the changes
happening in my life. Talking with Paul every day helped me to find
positive solutions for the not so positive things that were happening in
my life. This allowed me to get stronger and overcome times of
distress in my life.
Andrew J. Wymer
Quoted from his article,
"How Talking With Paul Has Changed My Life"
I
don’t even need to read the entire devotional to tell you that
this is incredible. Spending time with a devotional has always been
a struggle for me. Not something I looked forward to. There always
seems to be too much to do at the end of a reading section to really
process the information or have the time. This devotional is so
different putting all others to shame. I found it easy to read and
understand. The writing sections are short and easy to find the time
to do. I wake each morning anxious to complete the next days
devotional and the translation is so enlightening. When you compare
the KJV and this it makes understanding the text so much easier.
When are you and your team going to do the rest of the Bible. I
want more. More understanding, more understanding of what God has
for me. How incredible it is to really understand that the trials I
have been through and what the early Christians face are so
completely different. Would I have been as faithful as they were.
Sadly at this point no. But I am inspired to work on this now after
6 years of walking alone without trusting God to help me on the path
that I am on I feel myself open to his leading once more. This
revelation came all after only two days with Paul. God has placed
this text in my path for me to open my eyes to him once again. I
have yearned to have him back in my life but it always seemed to
difficult to grasp. Coffee with Paul is a blessing to the world. I
am completely blown away by the message it has to give. Structurally
it is by far the easiest devotional to follow and really sink your
teeth into what Paul was saying. What incredible faith both he and
the early Christians had. They are an example for all of us to
follow. Thank you for sharing this and your love of God with
me. Kudos on finding an incredible way of spreading the word of God
in an understandable way.
Shannon Teague
Austin, TX
As
a pastor, teacher and Bible student, I have found the CWP
BibleDashboard to be an invaluable help for me in my ministry. I
am building a decent library, but the convenience of being able to have
immediate access to some of the world's best scholarship is incredible!
Rev. Frederick L. Greene,
Wayman Chapel AME Church,
Kokomo, IN
A Divine Secretintroduces a continuing story by Paul in the
first person, based solidly on what is likely the earliest of his letters.
Each week for 5 weeks you will explore the uncharted territory of . . .
Pathways
Possibilities
Passion
Prayer, and
Power
. . . not only as these related to Paul's life, but as they relate to
yours. In the process, you discover a divine secret of God that
relates directly to you.
A Divine Secret, has Paul sitting down with you over coffee,
sharing his personal journey with you; a journey fraught with daily
uncertainty, life-threatening distress, and anguished suffering -- and yet
founded on a faith that simply would not stop.
A Divine Secret
is nothing short of a call for renewal -- actually, more a
call for an uprising in the area we call biblical devotion
and Bible reading!
A Divine Secret is not merely a book, but the beginning of a
journey. Each week, you'll have coffee with and converse with Paul, as
with a friend; each day you'll step further into his world, while
bringing his into yours.
A Divine Secret is nothing short of a call for renewal --
actually, more a call for an uprising in the area we call biblical devotion
and Bible reading.
A Divine Secret is neither a typical Bible study nor a typical
devotional book. It is quite literally a new synthesis aimed at addressing the
concerns and
goals mentioned above.
From
the moment I first heard about
Coffee with Paul,
I was excited. It offers something for everyone interested in the
New Testament. Whether you study the Bible at home by yourself or
are a teacher of others, this approach is fantastic. By training and
profession I'm a teacher of the Bible and New Testament Greek, and
everybody should take a serious look at this program.
Beverly Watkins,
Martin University
Indianapolis, IN
Stacey Roberts Singer/songwriter
Bloomington, IN
When I dove into this study I found that I very much enjoyed doing it. It
is a fresh and new approach to a Bible devotion. I found the journaling to
be rewarding and although it took me a few days to adjust to the idea that
I was sharing a study with Paul, when it set in it left me wanting more. I
look forward to continuing this study when it is available.
Click to hear a 25
second excerpt from
"Heaven"
More on Stacey as Coffee with Paul develops
I'm
not kidding when I say this:
I LOVE IT! Wow! It really grabbed me. It is written with such finesse
that it drew me in and kept me wanting to read more--out of curiosity if
nothing else. But that's not all; I love the "imagining" of having
Coffee with Paul. What a great idea!
When I first heard about this program, I was afraid it would be over my
head or something I couldn't do or use. Well forget about that ...I
have to say, this is fabulous!
Portia Regan,
Senior Corporate Leadership
Training and Development
Indianapolis, IN
Through
the Coffee with Paul program, the best of New Testament scholarship
is made available to the rest of us in usable form. Scholars, ministers,
interested Bible students everywhere--get ready to learn, to be
challenged, and to grow in your Christian life. There's something here for
everyone who wants to learn more about the New Testament, early Christian
origins, and serving God faithfully in today's world.
Dr. James Savage, Ph.D., Ph.D.
Life Stories Christian Counseling,
Mayfield, KY
Coffee
With Paul is a truly unique type of devotional. Like most
devotional literature, Coffee with Paul teaches us about God and His
relationship to us. It speaks to our everyday situations, trials,
and desires. But unlike others, Coffee with Paul unveils these
truths by walking verse by verse through a letter written by Paul.
It brings Paul -- his world, his Christian experience, his teaching
-- to life through Paul's own words. Rather than a verse followed by
an author's ideas about that verse, Coffee with Paul builds verse by
verse to bring us into conversation with Paul, to let him speak for
himself. And, in the process, the reader learns how to read and
understand Paul. Gary Collier draws on his vast knowledge of Greek,
culture, history, and Scripture to bring us into this conversation.
I have had coffee with Paul on several occasions and left the
meetings encouraged, taught, convicted, and challenged. Coffee with
Paul is not simply a spiritual moment to get us through the day; it
brings us face to face with the ultimate Reality who gives us each
moment and teaches us how to know Him more through His Word. I
strongly recommend Coffee with Paul to anyone who desires to know
and love God through His Word to us.
Brian Martin Senior Pastor
Wellsprings Christian Church
Greencastle, IN
I
recently started Coffee with Paul and immediately fell in love with
it! The writing style is smooth and engaging. I like the experience of
having coffee with Paul (he prefers Decaf, but you'd never know
it)—reading “his” intro the first day helped me feel the “anxiety” for his
fledgling church, born out of the circumstances that it was. And yet what
he hears about their witness makes plain not only the level of excitement
he shares about them, but also the sincere belief he has in the power of
the Saving Message of Christ in their lives! I could also go on about the
scripture based praying, the daily variety of “devotions and exercises,”
how the daily scripture focus has a positive cumulative effect on my
spirit and mind, and the joy of being part of a study that treats context
with the utmost respect, but . . . I won't. . . experience it for
yourself!
Dan DeVilder
Minister
Monroe, MI
7 Ways
Having Coffee with Paul
helps you . . .
To grow closer to God.
This is the primary goal of everything we do.
It is not about trivial pursuits or unfocused issues. The
goal is that through meaningful conversations with Paul we get
ushered into an intimate relationship with God through Jesus
Christ.
To answer one of life's most significant
questions. How are you to apply the words of God to the ups, downs, ins, and outs of
your life? CWP demonstrates and models
for you a contextually-based, conversational style for how to read
the Bible as you write your own story.
To learn how to read the Bible more
dynamically, reflectively, and spiritually, and less dogmatically
or judgmentally.
There is a long history of abuse associated with
the Bible because of the way many people have chosen to use it to
further their own ends, establish their own boundaries, and
support their own causes. The Bible is a complex of ancient
documents with multiple levels of possible application and
relevance. It is a travesty when people use it
manipulatively.
To learn how to get the absolute most out
of numerous translations.
All Coffee with Paul materials will be
based on an all-new
CWP translation of
the New Testament for study purposes. Unlike other new
translations, this one is not designed to replace your Bible with
a new one,
but to enrich and enhance your Bible reading and Bible study experience
as you converse with Paul over coffee.
No ordinary story,
Coffee with Paul is a journey of discovery and revelation,
of astonishment and surprise.
To
learn how to use the most important Bible study tools. These are
tools that will help you find your own answers to your own
questions, quickly and easily. They are readily available and easy to learn. The
point is not to turn you into a "Bible scholar" or, worse, someone
who wants to argue with others over particular points, but to help
you become an independent, responsible thinker about Scripture who knows how
to ask questions and find answers. You choose how deeply you
want to go. If you have an interest,
you might even learn a little Greek along the way, but that will
be totally up to you. (If you are getting the impression
there is more to Coffee with Paul than a little book or two, you are
correct. But it starts quite simply.)
To
examine your own life and write your own story.
By
sitting with Paul over coffee and talking about love, life,
longings, and losses, something marvelous begins to happen:
you realize this is not merely an old story from long ago, but one
that is being played out before your very eyes.
To become part of something bigger than
yourself:
You
will be part of something as exciting as it is significant.
You will be helping to develop this new approach through your
conversation and dialogue with us. Keep this in mind . . .
There is no better way to learn and grow
than to be part of
a solution to
a serious problem.
CWP is for all who see more in life than what is visible,
and who wish to unleash the power of expectation. It is a
unique and vigorous Bible reading tool that is so powerful it can
literally change lives, and yet it is so simple and easy to follow
that anyone can do it. And it is all very personal, as if having
coffee one-on-one with the biblical author of the text you are
reading.
A Divine Secret (volume 1) is the
harbinger of a new series that is still being written .
. .
This new and exciting series is nearing completion. Upcoming volumes
include:
Volumes
A Divine Secret
Dealing with Conflict
Finding Direction
Coping with Challenges
Praying with Elation
Walking the Talk
Meeting the LORD
Facing the Day
Standing with Power
Volume 1 is ready now and will allow you to experience the
approach. Volumes 2-9 are in the final stages of rewriting.
Each volume is suitable for group or for individual use. When completed, audio and video resources will
accompany the material.
Each of the 9 volumes is designed
for about 15-30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 5 weeks (although you can change the pace if you like). This
is equivalent to about a year of reading while allowing a "week off"
between volumes.
During that year, as you read through the story, you will focus on
reading a biblical text patiently and closely while conversing
with Paul about how it might relate to you and what you face.
NOTE: Very importantly,
this is NOT a substitute for
reading your Bible, nor is it an attempt to replace your Bible. In fact, each of the 9 volumes is
interactive and has you reading your Bible in ways that you likely
have never read before. Throughout the series you are
continually called into conversation: from your life to the
text, and back again.
I want to encourage you think about what a next-level
devotional life could do for your spirit, your peace of mind,
and your ability to take on each day. If you do
that, I think you'll likely see this as a crucial topic, and
I think you'll see that the new
CWP series, Unrelenting Faith, can help
you
take
your devotional life into uncharted territory.
In a world of declining standards, we
appreciate your desire for quality materials and are doing our
best to help fill that need.
Bible
study, Bible reading, and daily devotion can be a
voyage of wonder, a compelling journey into the heart of God in
search, as it were, of the divine secret of God's inner being. 
This
is both a simple and compelling
concept. In
order to go from concerns about the text of Scripture (instruction)
to concerns about God in our lives (devotion), or
vice versa, we must
have conversation with and about both, and there must
be some continuity between them. It is the
conversation with both that allows us to understand both and
bridge them, as if sitting in front of the very author.
. . .
take a vibrant, energetic look at the vital role of
faith in a world of upheaval and struggle;
"Having
a cup of coffee with the authors of the NT" is both an exciting and
appealing way to conceive of what is a unique encounter with the text of
the NT. Gary Collier, the moving force behind the program, is an extremely
gifted Bible scholar and at the same time an especially exciting and
effective teacher. Those who participate in this program will not only
receive the very best instruction but will find practical resources for
their spiritual life and their daily walk. I know of nothing comparable to
this exciting innovative program and I am happy to recommend it with the
highest enthusiasm.
As
a pastor, teacher and Bible student, I have found the CWP
BibleDashboard to be an invaluable help for me in my ministry. I
am building a decent library, but the convenience of being able to have
immediate access to some of the world's best scholarship is incredible!
From
the moment I first heard about
Coffee with Paul,
I was excited. It offers something for everyone interested in the
New Testament. Whether you study the Bible at home by yourself or
are a teacher of others, this approach is fantastic. By training and
profession I'm a teacher of the Bible and New Testament Greek, and
everybody should take a serious look at this program.
I'm
not kidding when I say this: 
Through
the Coffee with Paul program, the best of New Testament scholarship
is made available to the rest of us in usable form. Scholars, ministers,
interested Bible students everywhere--get ready to learn, to be
challenged, and to grow in your Christian life. There's something here for
everyone who wants to learn more about the New Testament, early Christian
origins, and serving God faithfully in today's world.
Coffee
With Paul is a truly unique type of devotional. Like most
devotional literature, Coffee with Paul teaches us about God and His
relationship to us. It speaks to our everyday situations, trials,
and desires. But unlike others, Coffee with Paul unveils these
truths by walking verse by verse through a letter written by Paul.
It brings Paul -- his world, his Christian experience, his teaching
-- to life through Paul's own words. Rather than a verse followed by
an author's ideas about that verse, Coffee with Paul builds verse by
verse to bring us into conversation with Paul, to let him speak for
himself. And, in the process, the reader learns how to read and
understand Paul. Gary Collier draws on his vast knowledge of Greek,
culture, history, and Scripture to bring us into this conversation.
I have had coffee with Paul on several occasions and left the
meetings encouraged, taught, convicted, and challenged. Coffee with
Paul is not simply a spiritual moment to get us through the day; it
brings us face to face with the ultimate Reality who gives us each
moment and teaches us how to know Him more through His Word. I
strongly recommend Coffee with Paul to anyone who desires to know
and love God through His Word to us.
I
recently started Coffee with Paul and immediately fell in love with
it! The writing style is smooth and engaging. I like the experience of
having coffee with Paul (he prefers Decaf, but you'd never know
it)—reading “his” intro the first day helped me feel the “anxiety” for his
fledgling church, born out of the circumstances that it was. And yet what
he hears about their witness makes plain not only the level of excitement
he shares about them, but also the sincere belief he has in the power of
the Saving Message of Christ in their lives! I could also go on about the
scripture based praying, the daily variety of “devotions and exercises,”
how the daily scripture focus has a positive cumulative effect on my
spirit and mind, and the joy of being part of a study that treats context
with the utmost respect, but . . . I won't. . . experience it for
yourself!
take
your devotional life into uncharted territory. 