The Gospels - Thirdmill
© 2012 by Third Millennium Ministries
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CONTENTS
HOW TO USE THIS LESSON GUIDE 1
Notes 2
I. Introduction (1:14) 2
II. Literary Character (2:10) 2
A. Genre (3:08) 2
1. Historical Narrative (4:40) 2
2. Greco-Roman Biography (7:40) 3
3. Biblical Historical Narrative (15:41) 4
B. Reliability (18:40) 4
1. Access (19:41) 4
2. Candor (21:45) 4
C. Corroboration (25:08) 4
4. Training (28:00) 5
5. Theological Convictions (29:23) 5
6. Holy Spirit (31:14) 5
III. Status in the Church (34:18) 5
A. Composition (34:32) 5
1. Similarities (35:40) 5
2. Theories of Composition (41:35) 6
3. Certainty (43:07) 6
B. Authenticity (45:32) 6
1. Trustworthy Authors (47:50) 6
2. Apostolic Approval (48:38) 6
3. Witness of the Church (49:45) 6
IV. Unity (52:49) 7
A. Same Story (53:08) 7
B. Jesus (57:02) 7
1. Proofs (57:30) 7
2. Vocabulary (1:01:00) 8
3. Stages (1:05:08) 8
V. Variety 9
A. Apparent Difficulties (1:10:47) 9
1. Chronology (1:11:28) 9
2. Omission (1:12:57) 9
3. Different Events (1:14:32) 9
4. Different Speeches (1:15:50) 9
B. Distinctive Emphases (1:18:27) 10
1. Matthew (1:22:17) 10
2. Mark (1:26:03) 10
3. Luke (1:32:13) 11
4. John (1:39:40) 11
VI. Conclusion (1:45:20) 11
Review Questions 12
Application Questions 16
Glossary 17
HOW TO USE THIS LESSON GUIDE
This lesson guide is designed for use in conjunction with the associated video. If you do not have access to the video, the lesson guide will also work with the audio and/or manuscript versions of the lesson. Additionally, the video and lesson guide are intended to be used in a learning community, but they also can be used for individual study if necessary.
• Before you watch the lesson
o Prepare — Complete any recommended readings.
o Schedule viewing — The Notes section of the lesson guide has been divided into segments that correspond to the video. Using the time codes found in parentheses beside each major division, determine where to begin and end your viewing session. IIIM lessons are densely packed with information, so you may also want to schedule breaks. Breaks should be scheduled at major divisions.
• While you are watching the lesson
o Take notes — The Notes section of the lesson guide contains a basic outline of the lesson, including the time codes for the beginning of each segment and key notes to guide you through the information. Many of the main ideas are already summarized, but make sure to supplement these with your own notes. You should also add supporting details that will help you to remember, describe, and defend the main ideas.
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• After you watch the lesson
o Complete Review Questions — Review Questions are based on the basic content of the lesson. You should answer Review Questions in the space provided. These questions should be completed individually rather than in a group.
o Answer/discuss Application Questions — Application Questions are questions relating the content of the lesson to Christian living, theology, and ministry. Application questions are appropriate for written assignments or as topics for group discussions. For written assignments, it is recommended that answers not exceed one page in length.
Notes
Introduction (1:14)
The Bible records all sorts of good and bad news related to God’s people throughout history.
The Gospels are the life-changing accounts of the person and work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Literary Character (2:10)
1 Genre (3:08)
A genre is a category or type of literature.
1 Historical Narrative (4:40)
Historical narratives are stories about people who lived in the past and about the actions and events that took place in their day.
In the secular writings of the ancient world, historical narratives typically developed in three main parts.
• The beginning
• The middle
• The end
2 Greco-Roman Biography (7:40)
• Similarities
o Defending the leader’s ideas
o Perpetuating awareness of his actions
• Differences
o Intended Audience
o Emphases
o Cultures
3 Biblical Historical Narrative (15:41)
The Gospels are most similar to the historical narratives in the Old Testament.
2 Reliability (18:40)
There is plenty of evidence that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John had the resources and motivation to write trustworthy accounts about Jesus.
1 Access (19:41)
The gospel writers had access to records of the events they recorded.
2 Candor (21:45)
The historical reliability of the Gospels is seen in the high level of candor in their works.
3 Corroboration (25:08)
Our confidence in the reliability of the gospel writers is strengthened by the corroboration of other historical sources.
• Pliny the Younger
• Suetonius
• Tacitus
• Julius Africanus
• Josephus
1 Training (28:00)
The training Jesus’ disciples received should have taught them how to preserve an accurate record of his words and deeds.
2 Theological Convictions (29:23)
The gospel writers had strong theological convictions that emphasized the need for a true, reliable record.
3 Holy Spirit (31:14)
The Holy Spirit led the gospel writers to write their records of Jesus’ swords and deeds.
Status in the Church (34:18)
1 Composition (34:32)
The composition of the Gospels refers to the way they were written.
1 Similarities (35:40)
• The Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke
• The term “synoptic” simply means “seeing together.”
2 Theories of Composition (41:35)
3 Certainty (43:07)
2 Authenticity (45:32)
The four gospels were always received as genuine and authoritative by the faithful churches of God.
Reasons for the early church’s bold confidence in these four gospels:
1 Trustworthy Authors (47:50)
2 Apostolic Approval (48:38)
3 Witness of the Church (49:45)
Unity (52:49)
1 Same Story (53:08)
The four gospels tell the same story of the kingdom of God.
When the Bible talks about the gospel of Jesus, it’s referring to the good news about Jesus.
The New Testament gospels use terms like “gospel” and “evangelize” far less frequently than language referring to God’s kingdom.
2 Jesus (57:02)
The Gospels emphasize that Jesus is the king who brings the kingdom of God.
1 Proofs (57:30)
• Jesus’ power over demons.
• Jesus’ power to heal and resurrect.
• Jesus’ authority to forgive.
2 Vocabulary (1:01:00)
New Testament authors use a variety of vocabulary to talk about the kingdom of God.
• Explicit words
• Related concepts
3 Stages (1:05:08)
Jesus taught that the present experience of the kingdom he offered was not the whole picture.
At some point in the future, the kingdom of God would come in all of its fullness.
Jesus was bringing the kingdom in stages:
• He inaugurated the kingdom during his earthly ministry.
• The kingdom continues now as he reigns from heaven.
• It will be consummated or completed in the future when he returns.
Variety
All four gospels present the same story of the coming of God’s kingdom, but each does this in its own way.
1 Apparent Difficulties (1:10:47)
There are a number of places where the gospel records appear to say different things.
1 Chronology (1:11:28)
Chronology is the order in which events are described in the various gospels.
2 Omission (1:12:57)
The omission of material in one or more of the Gospels.
3 Different Events (1:14:32)
Similarities between different events.
4 Different Speeches (1:15:50)
Different speeches sometimes had similar content.
2 Distinctive Emphases (1:18:27)
Each of the gospels was written by a unique author who brought his own:
• Perspective
• Concerns
All the New Testament gospel stories:
• Describe the same Jesus
• Speak about Jesus in different ways
• Highlight different aspects of Jesus’ ministry
1 Matthew (1:22:17)
• Jesus: the Messianic King of Israel that was foretold in the Old Testament
• Following Jesus: changed hearts give us the power and motivation to follow Jesus with a loving, thankful, joyful obedience
2 Mark (1:26:03)
• Jesus: the suffering Son of God who conquered the enemies of God’s people.
o Many miracles
o Power over the forces of evil
• Following Jesus:
o We won’t always understand Jesus
o Difficulties and suffering are inevitable for Christians
4 Luke (1:32:13)
• Jesus: the compassionate Savior of the world
• Following Jesus: care for the poor, and strive to meet their needs
5 John (1:39:40)
• Jesus: the Son of God who accomplishes the eternal plan of salvation
• Following Jesus: being loved by God, and showing that same love to each other
Conclusion (1:45:20)
Review Questions
1. What is the genre of the Gospels?
2. How do we know that the Gospels are historically reliable?
3. How were the Gospels composed, and why is their composition important?
4. How do we know that the four canonical gospels are authentic?
5. How unified is the story told by all four gospels?
6. How unified is the portrayal of Jesus throughout the four gospels?
7. What apparent difficulties arise from the variety between the Gospels?
8. What are the distinctive emphases of each of the four gospels?
Application Questions
1. How should the life-changing accounts of the person and work of Jesus Christ affect the way we live?
2. How should the literary character of the Gospels influence the way we read them?
3. How do the Gospels help us understand the historical narratives in the Old Testament?
4. How can we trust that the Gospels are reliable when they were written by fallen human beings?
5. How might the diversity amongst the Gospels help us to appreciate the diversity of the church?
6. How might the Gospels help us refute and reject erroneous doctrines like the belief that Christ's return in glory has already occurred?
7. What assurance and hope does the future coming of the kingdom give us? How should this hope impact the way we live presently?
8. How does Jesus being the Messianic King of Israel impact your life?
9. What can Jesus’ sufferings teach us about the way we should view difficulties, trials and sufferings in our own lives?
10. How does your life display that you are loved by God?
11. What are some ways you can care for the poor and strive to meet their needs?
12. Which gospel is your favorite to read and why?
13. What is the most significant thing you learned in this lesson?
Glossary
christos – Greek word (transliteration) for Christ; used in the Septuagint to translate "mashiach" or "messiah," meaning "anointed one"
covenant – A binding legal agreement made between two people or groups of people, or between God and a person or group of people
euangelion – Greek word (transliteration) for "gospel"; literally "good news"
Eusebius – (A.D. 263-340) Early Christian historian who wrote Ecclesiastical History
genre – A category or type of literature
gospel – Literally, "good news"; announcement that God's kingdom came to earth through the person and work of Jesus and that it expands toward its great consummation as God grants salvation to those who receive and trust in Jesus as the Messiah
Gospels, the – The New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
historical narratives – Stories that record events that took place in the past
Irenaeus – (ca. A.D. 130-202) Second-century bishop and early Christian writer who wrote Against Heresies in which he refuted Gnosticism and affirmed the validity of the four gospels
John – Son of Zebedee and brother of James; one of the twelve Apostles; author of the Gospel of John; 1, 2, 3 John; and the book of Revelation; sometimes called "the disciple Jesus loved"
Josephus – (A.D. 37- ca. 100) Jewish historian from the 1st century A.D. who wrote Antiquities
kurios – Greek word (transliteration) meaning "lord," "ruler," "master" or "sir"; a name for God in the New Testament
Luke – Author of the third gospel and the book of Acts; a Gentile convert to Christianity and one of Paul's co-workers; believed to have been a physician
Mark – Also known as John Mark; author of the Gospel of Mark and cousin of Barnabas; accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey
Matthew – One of the twelve Apostles and author of the Gospel of Matthew; a tax collector when Jesus called him; also known as Levi
Messiah – Hebrew word meaning "anointed one"; the great King from David’s royal line who would bring about the transition from this age to the age to come; translated "Christos" in Greek
Origen – (ca. A.D. 185 - 254) Early Christian theologian from Alexandria; his works include: On First Principles, in which he defended the Scriptures as our final authority for Christian doctrine, and the Hexapla, a comparative study of various translations of the Old Testament
Peter – One of Jesus' twelve apostles; also called Simon; a leader in the early Christian church; preached on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2; according to church historians, Mark relied on Peter's accounts of Christ's life to write his gospel
Plutarch – (ca. A.D. 46-120) Secular Greek historian and biographer
Son of David – Messianic title that referred to David’s long-awaited, righteous descendant who would save God’s people; frequently applied to Jesus in the New Testament (especially in Matthew)
synoptic – Term meaning "seen together"; used when referring to the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke because of their similarities
talmid – Hebrew word (transliteration) meaning “disciple”; a student or learner
Talmud – Collection of rabbinic teachings on Jewish civil and ceremonial law spanning approximately 600 years, beginning in the first century A.D.
Yahweh – Hebrew name for God that comes from the phrase, "I am that I am"; often translated "LORD"
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Introduction to the Gospels
The Gospels
Lesson Guide
Lesson 1
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