NT Worksheet #1 INTRO TO NEW TESTAMENT
Homework: Use your bibles to answer the following questions & to help familiarize you with the content & organization of the New Testament. You should be able to answer these questions easily even if you are not using a study bible. You can use the table of contents at
the beginning of your bible and brief looks at the books themselves.
How many books are in your NT? ____ (Unlike the OT, the NT canon is the same for all Christians)
How many books are in your Old Testament? ______
What were the 5 sections of the OT? (see back of Worksheet #7 or #20a) 1. ______
2. ______3. ______4. ______5. ______
The New Testament also includes 5 sections. (If a section includes only one book, name it.)
I. Gospel. How many books make up this section? ______
What are they basically about? ______
Which is the shortest? ______Which 2 are the longest? ______& ______
Given what apocryphal books in the OT were, what do think “apocryphal gospels” are?
II. History. How many books make up this section? ______
What is the subject matter: ______
III. Letters (or “epistles”) by the apostle, Paul. How many of these are in the NT? ____
Which are the longest? ______& ______Which is the shortest? ______
How are they arranged in the NT? ______
What section of the Old Testament was arranged in the same way? ______
IV. Letters by church leaders other than Paul. How many of these are there? ______
1st Corinthians is written by _____ It is addressed ______
1st Peter is written by ______It is addressed to ______
Who wrote Hebrews? ______Whom is it addressed to? ______
V. Apocalyptic prophecy. How many books are in this section? ______
What is the content of this section? ______
What book(s) in the OT had similar content? ______
(This side for class notes only.) What does the word “Gospel” mean? ______
The contents of 3 gospels overlap in so many places, that it is possible to lay out all the passages in these 3 books side by side to compare how they are arranged. An example can be found on Page 1841-55 of the HarperCollins Study Bible. These 3 gospels are called ______gospels (meaning to view side by side “at a glance”). These 3 gospels are:
______, ______& ______.
The “synoptic question” involves theories as to why these 3 gospels are so similar.
Which gospel is shortest? ______. Nearly all of it is included in ______& ______
The gospel of Mark includes primarily ______& ______
In addition, most of what is included in the 2 longer synoptic gospels but is missing from the shortest synoptic gospel is the same, although it is arranged differently. This has led to the theory that the authors of the 2 longer gospels had access to another collection besides Mark which these scholars call ______from the German word for “source”. Note that no one has an actual copy of this collection–it’s only a theory! (part of one answer to the “synoptic question”.)
This additional shared material includes: ______& ______
For example, 2 sections we already learned are included in these 2 gospels but found nowhere else in the gospels are ______& ______
Make a diagram that shows2 early sources:
this theoretical answer to
the synoptic question: (are used later by)
In this theory, which gospel2 gospel writers:
was written first? ______
Although the content of the synoptic gospels is very similar, there are important differences. These include:
1. 4.
2. 5.
3. 6.
Characteristics of the Gospel of John:3.
1.4.
- 5.
Do scholars & believers agree on who actually wrote the books of the NT? _____ . (But:
virtually everyone agrees that ______& ______were written by the same author.)
NT - Worksheet #2 BIRTH OF JESUS
Reading Assignment (for next class)
Matthew 1:18-2:12 (skim 1:1-17)
Isaiah 7:14 (this verse only)
Luke 1:1-2:20 – especially 1:5-45 and 2:1-20.
John 1:1-14. Also look briefly at opening of Mark’s gospel.
Notes on reading: Matthew 1:23 quotes Isaiah 7:14. Are they the same? If not, how do they differ?
What explanation would you suggest for the difference? (Hint: if you have a study Bible you can use footnotes.)
What two contrasting explanations of Jesus’ origins is Matthew trying to establish in 1:1 and 1:18-20? (Note: Luke also uses both of these, though his geneology comes later in 3:23-38.)
1.
2.
Which gospel includes wise men?
How do the wise men refer to Jesus? (i.e. with what title?)
Which gospel includes shepherds?
Who in Genesis had a birth story similar to Elizabeth’s birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:7-13)?
What happened when Mary goes to see Elizabeth (Luke 1:44)?
What English word (translation of the Greek word “Logos”) does John use to refer to Jesus in 1:1-14?
How is Jesus’ birth described in the gospels of Mark and John?
Notes on Class Discussion: Define the Jewish idea of Messiah:
Which is the earliest of the four gospels?
How does that gospel describe Jesus’ birth?
Jesus was popularly known to have come from Nazareth. Why is it considered so important for Luke to put his place of birth as being in Bethlehem?
Is there a certain inconsistency in Matthew and Luke’s two different accounts for Jesus’ origins (one of Jesus’ geneology and one of his virgin birth)?
Are the geneologies in Matt 1: and Luke 3:23-38 the same? If not, how do they differ?
Why might Luke go to such lengths to describe the relationship between John and Jesus’ mothers?
What name do Roman Catholics give to Mary’s song in Luke 1:47-55?
What role does it play in the faith practice of many Roman Catholics?
What are some of the positive and negative dimensions of the special role that Mary plays in the faith of many Roman Catholics?
Joseph Campbell urges people to re-interpret old religious principles of their tradition in a new light that is more meaningful for them in their own time and life experience. How could this be done with the virgin birth?
What parts (if any) of the accounts of Jesus’ birth strike an especially positive chord for you?
How does the account in John fit in with the general way in which John approaches his account of Jesus’ life and role?
NT - Worksheet #3 Jesus’ Childhood
Reading: Read carefully Luke 2:21-52.
Read through lightly the marked passages from an apocryphal “infancy gospel”.
What 2 actions does Luke report Jesus’ parents did with the baby Jesus in 2:21-24?
What does 2:41 describe his parents doing each spring?
What does this suggest is Joseph & Mary’s attitude towards the Jewish law codes we looked at in Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy? (Note this is being reported by Luke, a gospel-writer who is generally believed to have been a gentile, that is a non-Jewish, Christian.)
What 3 things does Luke say the Holy Spirit did to/with Simeon (2:25-7)?
1.
2.
3.
What did the Holy Spirit do earlier to Mary (in Lk 1:35 – cf. Matt 1:20)?
To Elizabeth (in Lk 1:41)?
What is this Holy Spirit we are beginning to hear a lot about?
What is the key message Luke is trying to drive home by including the story of Simeon in his gospel?
Anna is included only in Luke’s gospel. She is described as a prophet. Who is the only other woman referred to as being a prophet so far in the Bible?
Women play a more important role in Luke than in any of the other gospels. Many scholars believe the gospel writer Luke lived in an area outside Judea. How might this have impacted the way Luke described the role of women in his gospel?
What is the difference between a canonical and an apocryphal gospel?
Only one story about Jesus’ youth is included in the canonical gospels (Lk 2:41-51). What idea about Jesus does this try to communicate?
How does this contrast with the childhood stories in the apocryphal infancy gospel?
What do you think it would be like to have miraculous or supernatural powers as a child?
Some Christians believe that Jesus took on the role of messiah (i.e. to be the special instrument of God’s redeeming role in the world) when he was baptized by John the Baptist as an adult (when the Holy Spirit descended upon him and a voice spoke from heaven saying “This is my son of whom I am well pleased”) rather than at conception. How does this effect one’s view of Jesus’ childhood and adolescence?
NT - Worksheet #4 John, the Baptist
Readings: For the 1st class: Isaiah 40:1-9, Mark 1:1-20, Matthew 3:7-10 and Luke 3:15-22
(Also: skim John 1:6-9, 19ff.)
For the 2nd class read: Matthew 3: 13-15, Luke 7:18-34, Matthew 14:1-13
R = notes on reading (answer before class)C = notes on class discussion (answer in class)
Class 1: Who Is John the BaptistandJesus’ Baptism BY JOHN
R: How many of the 4 gospels include the story of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist? ____
Which gospels start their account of Jesus’ life with this story? ______
What response does Mark report (in 1:5) that John is getting to his preaching?
What does Mark report (vs.6) John wears ______and eats ? ______
How would you characterize John’s message (content & “tone”) as reported in Matthew 3:7-10?
All 4 gospels quote Isaiah 40 in describing John’s ministry. What 2 words in 40: 1-2 seem to contrast with the tone or spirit of John’s message? ______and ______
Does John believe himself to be the messiah (Luke 3:15-18)? What does he say about this?
What does Jesus see when he is baptized by John (Mark 1:9-11)?
What does he hear?
C: What were the characteristics we listed of a prophet’s message earlier (Wksheet #24 pg 3-4)?
In terms of this definition, should we consider John the Baptist a prophet?
Which Hebrew Bible prophets we studied had a message with a tone similar to John’s?
What was the meaning of water baptism by John?
What was its meaning to early Christians?
To Christians today?
How did the early church interpret the phrase to “baptize with the Holy Spirit”?
Why do Quakers reject water baptism?
How do Quakers interpret baptism with the Holy Spirit?
Extra credit: The film describes water batpism as an “ancient Hebrew rite”. Can you find any record of its being used by Jews prior to John as reported in the gospels?
The Relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus
R: How does Mark (reread 1:14-15) describe the timing between John’s and Jesus’ ministries?
What phrase does Mark report Jesus begins his preaching with (1:15)?
C: According to the film, how would the Roman authorities have interpreted this phrase?
Matthew (in 3:2) begins his account with John proclaiming exactly this message. What does this suggest about the relationship between John and Jesus?
In Mark’s report in 1:15 of Jesus’ first preaching has him using a phrase from Isaiah 40: 9 that is not in John’s message. How does this indicate a possible shift in Jesus’ message from John’s?
R: Mark and Luke are silent on why Jesus comes to John to be baptized. The biblical scholars in the film assert that it seems obvious that Jesus was (at least for a some period) a follower of John’s. How does Matthew (in 3: 13-15) describe John’s response when Jesus comes to be baptized by him?
C: A biblical scholar in the film called this a “gloss” by the gospel writer. What does this mean?
How does the gospel writer John (no relation! - in John 1:29-36 and 3:25-4:3) describe John the Baptist’s view of Jesus?
R: Does Luke (see Lk 7:18-20) support this viewpoint on how John the Baptist views Jesus?
How does Jesus respond to the questions from John’s followers?
What contrasting picture do we get of Jesus' and John's lifestyle from what Jesus says (in Luke 7:33-34) they were each being criticized for by strict Jews?
C: Which lifestyle seems to you to be more "holy" - the one described for John or for Jesus?
R: What happens to John (see Matt 14:1-11)?
How do Jesus & his followers respond to John’s death (v.12-13)?
IN-CLASS WRITING (John the Baptist)
(Checking your notes on page 3 & 4 of Worksheet #24)
( ) What is the Hebrew Bible prophets’ role:
( ) Who do they direct their message towards (i.e. who’s their audience)?
( ) What is their message?
( ) What response do they get?
Check off on which of these John the Baptist seems to fit the definition?
Why do you think all four gospels begin Jesus’ ministry with John’s baptism? Why do they consider him critical to their gospel about Jesus?
NT - Worksheet #5 Temptation in the Desert
Readings: Luke 4: 1-13
What do you think Luke means in saying Jesus is “full of the Holy Spirit”?
What just occurred in Chapter 3 that caused Jesus to be in this state?
When did we read about important things happening in the desert in the Hebrew Bible?
These three temptations have great symbolic meaning. You do not have to believe in the devil to recognize these as real threats to the integrity and mission of great men and women. These represent very real challenges that leaders, particularly powerful spiritual leaders, have to face successfully.
Define temptation:
What was the 1st temptation?
What do you think this symbolizes?
What was the 2nd temptation?
What does it symbolize?
What is the 3rd temptation?
What does this symbolize?
Discussion questions in class:
1. What are some of the other temptations that leaders face?
2. What are the greatest temptations faced by prophets we’ve studied like St. Francis, Gandhi and Martin Luther King?
3. Which of these kinds of temptation do you think would be the most challenging for you?
NT - Worksheet #6 Jesus Begins His Ministry
Readings: Luke 4:14-5:11 (We won’t really study 4:31-44 now, but note what happens.) John 1:35-51.
R = notes on reading (answer before class)C = notes on class discussion(answer in class)
R – What does Luke describe Jesus doing in the synagogue in Nazareth as the first act of his ministry?
Does this sound like a primarily religious or political announcement? (It’s from Isaiah 61:1-2)
What kind of response does he get initially from the people there?
Why does the response of his listeners change?
What do they then try to do to him?
C – What is the “year of the Lord’s favor” refer to? (see Leviticus 5:8-12)
Why is a prophet often not accepted in his or her own hometown?
Luke 5:1-11. Calling of the first disciples.
R – What does Luke say these men are doing just before they become disciples?
What convinces Peter to follow Jesus?
C – Do you think you would be willing to drop everything and follow a leader like Jesus if unexpectedly called to do so?
John 1:35-51. A different story of the first two disciples
R - Where does John say the first two disciples are when they decide to follow Jesus?
What convinces them to follow Jesus?
C – How does this reflect the basic intent and message of John’s gospel?
(NT - Worksheet #6 Jesus Begins His Ministry)
Readings: Luke 4:14-5:11 (We won’t really study 4:31-44 now, but note what happens.) John 1:35-51.
R = notes on reading (answer before class)C = notes on class discussion(answer in class)
R – What does Luke describe Jesus doing in the synagogue in Nazareth as the first act of his ministry?
As a special guest or favorite son returning home he is invited to read from the Torah. He selects a passage in Isaiah that is a messianic prophesy (Isaiah 61:1-2). He says “This passage is fulfilled today in your hearing.”
Does this sound like a primarily religious or political announcement? (It’s from Isaiah 61:1-2)
It sounds fairly political – or at least economic
What kind of response does he get initially from the people there?
At first people are impressed – by his eloquence, his speaking “with authority” as Friends would say
Why does the response of his listeners change?
He suggests that a prophet (like himself) will not be accepted at home. He implies that favor may pass from Jews to others.
What do they then try to do to him?Try to toss him over a cliff.
C – What is the “year of the Lord’s favor” refer to? (see Leviticus 5:8-12)
“Jubilee Year” =every 50 years when slaves are freed, debts forgiven, land redistributed (given back to original family owners, etc. – a Mosaic law never really practiced. A kind of “super Sabbath”.
Why is a prophet often not accepted in his or her own hometown?
Too familiar. Can’t let go of old limited stereotype of the person, too threatening, etc.
Luke 5:1-11. Calling of the first disciples.
R – What does Luke say these men are doing just before they become disciples?
Fishing (very ordinary, every day activity)
What convinces Peter to follow Jesus?
He does a miracle (although biblical scholars have suggested that this really isn’t a miracle since casting net on other side will often lead to a better catch in Sea of Galilee!)
C – Do you think you would be willing to drop everything and follow a leader like Jesus if unexpectedly called to do so? (general discussion – no right answer)
John 1:35-51. A different story of the first two disciples
R - Where does John say the first two disciples are when they decide to follow Jesus?
They are present when Jesus is being baptized by John the Baptist.
What convinces them to follow Jesus?
Statement of John the Baptist that he is the messiah (and perhaps having seen heavens opening?)
C – How does this reflect the basic intent and message of John’s gospel?
Focus on Jesus as son of God, divine – many people acknowledging this.
NEW TESTAMENT QUIZ #2 (homework check on Worksheet #6)
What does Luke say Jesus does in the synagogue in Nazareth? Jesus:
- Calls the Pharisees a “brood of vipers”
- States that the Torah reading has just been “fulfilled in their hearing”
- Delivers the Sermon on the Mount
- Tells the people to repent
- Announces that the “Kingdom of God is at hand.”
What response does he get initially? The people:
- Ask him to read another Torah passage
- Try to stone him
- Ask him questions
- Are amazed by the gracious words that come from his mouth
- Call the Roman authorities for help.
At the end of his visit to the synagogue do those present:
- Try to throw him over a cliff
- Invite him to their home
- Call him “Rabbi” (teacher)
- Become his disciples
- Go tell John the Baptist about him.
Where does Simon Peter first encounter Jesus according to Luke 5:1-11:
- In the wilderness
- On the road to Damascus
- At a meeting of John’s disciples down by the riverside
- Fishing
- In the temple in Jerusalem
In this story, why does Simon Peter decide to follow Jesus?