After 5 years of
experimentation, classroom
teaching,
coffee shop meetings, and engaging conversations,
Coffee with Paul
Ministries is proud to unveil a major new
This all-new series will make it possible for
individuals or groups to have coffee with the Apostle Paul every
day, anywhere from 5 weeks to 5months -- and you can choose your
own level of reading, the amount of time you spend, and how far
you take it. The books are designed for reading 5 days a
week, and you choose your own level:
5-10 minutes a day for the super busy
person,
+15-30 additional minutes a day for those
who want more,
+more for those who just can't get enough.
Book 1 has 5 weeks of reading, plus introductory
material. Books 2-3 are 7-8 weeks each.
In the process, you will be reading the Bible in
a way you have never read it before.
This Conversational Trilogy Will Cover the Following
Major Topics:
Book1: --A Divine Secret for Faith
Book 2:
--Dealing with Conflict
--Finding Direction
--Coping with Challenges
--Praying with Elation
Book 3:
--Walking the Talk
--Meeting the LORD
--Facing the Day
--Standing with Power
From beginning
to end, this is a contextual study.
"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
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
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
Most
Bible studies are academic and instructive or devotional and
practical, but few are both. For several years,
seminary/university teacher (Fuller, Iliff, Martin), preacher and
gracEmail subscriber Gary D. Collier has been developing an
interactive approach that combines serious contextual analysis
with inspirational personal application. This happens through an
imaginative reading of Scripture in which the reader interacts
conversationally with the biblical author (over a cup of coffee),
while participating in and internalizing the story being told,
with the spiritual goal of drawing closer to God. I hype you not:
if this project turns out to be even fractionally as good as it
looks to me, I believe it has the potential of revolutionizing
Bible study, bringing more unbelievers to Christ and bringing
divine energy to a lethargic Church.
Edward Fudge,
Edward Fudge Ministries and
GracEmail
Houston, TX
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
Book 1 is ready now . . .
Book 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
3-Book Series:
Unrelenting Faith
An expanded CD version
of this series takes it further than print alone allows (includes videos, audios, and more).
A Free CD introduction is now available:
Book 1, A Divine Secret,introduces a continuing story by
Paul in the first person, based solidly on what is likely the earliest of
his letters. Each day 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.
In this book,
Paul will be 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. This 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.
This 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.
For 7 More Ways this new resource can directly benefit you,
We need a focused, active, enthusiastic team to help us complete this
project.
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
Click to hear a 25
second excerpt from
"Heaven"
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.
Stacey Roberts Singer/songwriter
Bloomington, IN
As
a pastor, teacher and Bible student, I have found the CWP to be an
invaluable help for me in my ministry.
Rev. Frederick L. Greene,
Wayman Chapel AME Church,
Kokomo, IN
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 Hayward
Middleville, MI
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"
We Need
Your Help to Finish and Implement
This Project!
We need some to be personal
Readers:
Those who individually read the material and follow the program...and who give us feed-back about their experience with
the material.
We need some to be
Leaders and
Teachers. Those who set up (or encourage) one or more groups and
walk with others
through
the
material... and who give us major feed-back about their
experience with this approach.
We need some to be
Patrons:
Those who
help us bear the expense.
This is absolutely crucial. The sad fact is that without
money, we are severely limited in what we can do and how long it
will take. We need people whom God has blessed with the
ability to give, to take up the vision here in a big way, or to lead
us to such people.
We need some to be
Petitioners (of God):
Those who continually hold us and our project up to God
in sustained, specific, powerful prayer.
There are two volumes available
right now! Help us make this new resource possible for
others. This is a massive undertaking requiring creative and responsible writing, editing, audio/video taping and
editing, web design, graphic design, and more. These are time consuming and expensive.
We need help in the above 4 areas to accomplish all of this.
We Need Your Help
If you can see the vision for what
this can do for people around the world (we are already in touch
with people from over 42 countries!), please
participate with Us
and help us complete this incredible work!
Target Date for completion of the
series:
January 1, 2011
With the help of a strong team, this
is possible.
We can see the end of the tunnel on
this huge project.
But we need your help now to make it happen.
Please help us!
"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.
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.
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.
Most
Bible studies are academic and instructive or devotional and
practical, but few are both. For several years,
seminary/university teacher (Fuller, Iliff, Martin), preacher and
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.
. . .
take a vibrant, energetic look at the vital role of
faith in a world of upheaval and struggle;
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!
As
a pastor, teacher and Bible student, I have found the CWP to be an
invaluable help for me in my ministry. 
For
everyone who joins our team, we have a
