The Essential Jesus

The Essential JesusTextbook Chapter 3

A. Infancy Narratives•1. Background

▫MYSTERY – A term referring to: God’s infinite incomprehensibility God’s plan of salvation & redemption The events of Jesus’ life that show & accomplish this plan

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•2. Key Points

▫INFANCY NARRATIVE – story of Jesus’ birth

▫Only Matthew & Luke include an I.N.

▫I.N. used to introduce & summarize the major themes of the Gospel

▫Accounts are interested primarily in Theology not history

▫I.N.s use symbolism to reveal Jesus’ identity & purpose

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•3. Matthew’s Infancy Narrative

▫a. Background Author: Jewish Christian Audience: Jewish Christians Style: Draws on themes from Hebrew Scripture

Purpose: Show how Jesus fulfilled prophecies about the messiah

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•3. Matthew’s Infancy Narrative

(continued)

▫b. Content Read Matthew’s Infancy Narrative

Create a heading for each section:1:1-17, 1:18-25, 2:1-12, 2:13-23

Identify specific points that correspond to Matthew’s audience, style, & purpose

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•3. Matthew’s Infancy Narrative

(continued)

▫b. Content (continued)

1. Genealogy (1:1-17) 2 Key Ancestors

▫Abraham – 1st patriarch; “father” of Judaism

▫David – Greatest King; messianic expectation

* Jesus is rooted in Jewish history and is identified as the messiah*

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•3. Matthew’s Infancy Narrative

(continued)

▫b. Content (continued)

2. Birth & Naming (1:18-25) Joseph’s Dream recalls the dreams of the patriarch Joseph in Genesis ▫Plan of salvation

Prophecy Fulfillment: virgin will conceive and bear a son who will be called Emmanuel

▫“God with us”

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•3. Matthew’s Infancy Narrative

(continued)

▫b. Content (continued)

3. Visitors from the East (2:1-12) Magi/Wise Men/Men who study the stars

Prophecy fulfillment: messiah born in Bethlehem Herod feels threatened

Symbolic Gifts:▫Gold – gift for a king▫Frankincense – burned in honor of God▫Myrrh – prepares body for burial

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•3. Matthew’s Infancy Narrative

(continued)▫b. Content (continued)

3. Visitors from the East (continued) Gentiles who recognize Jesus’ significance

Epiphany – the mystery of Christ’s manifestation as Savior of the World

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•3. Matthew’s Infancy Narrative

(continued)

▫b. Content (continued)

4. Massacre, Flight, Return (2:13-23) 3 more dreams for Joseph

▫1. Go to Egypt 2. Safe to return 3. Settle in Galilee

Allusion to Moses – slaughter of the innocents

More prophecy fulfillment▫“Out of Egypt I called my Son”▫Rachel weeping for her children▫He will be called a Nazorean

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•3. Matthew’s Infancy Narrative (continued)

▫c. Themes Continuity between Judaism & Christianity

Jesus is the messiah & the “new Moses”

Jesus is rejected by Jews & accepted by Gentiles

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•3. Matthew’s Infancy Narrative (continued)

Review Activity:Begin writing a paragraph to answer

the following question:How does Matthew’s infancy

narrative demonstrate his style, purpose, and themes?

After 1 minute, you will pass your paper to the

person behind you and add information to the

new paper you receive.

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•4. Luke’s Infancy Narrative

▫a. Background Author: Gentile Christian

Audience: Gentile Christians

Purpose: show that Jesus has come to save everyone (even the lowly)

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•4. Luke’s Infancy Narrative (continued)

▫b. Themes Prayer The Holy Spirit Women Outcasts/The Poor Jesus is the “new Adam”

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•4. Luke’s Infancy Narrative (continued)

▫c. Outline/Content 1. Elizabeth & Zechariah 2. Annunciation 3. Visitation 4. Birth of Jesus 5. Visitors 6. Presentation in the Temple

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•4. Luke’s Infancy Narrative (continued)

▫c. Outline/Content (continued)

1. Elizabeth & Zechariah See worksheet with comparison chart

Using your chart (and your Bible if necessary), list 2 specific examples of how Luke’s THEMES show up in this section

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•4. Luke’s Infancy Narrative (continued)

▫c. Outline/Content (continued)

2. Annunciation (1:26-38) Write down one word to describe Mary

“Let it be done unto me” by Danielle Rose

See worksheet for more details

“Let it Be Done Unto Me” by Danielle Rose

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•4. Luke’s Infancy Narrative (continued)

▫c. Outline/Content (continued)

3. Visitation (1:39-56) 3 examples of how Luke’s THEMES are present in the Visitation account

Mary’s Canticle of Praise – Magnificat▫HW assignment

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•4. Luke’s Infancy Narrative (continued)

▫c. Outline/Content (continued)

4. Birth of Jesus, 5. Visitors, 6. Presentation

See worksheet

Using your worksheet (and your Bible if necessary), list 4 specific examples of how Luke’s THEMES show up in these three sections

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•4. Luke’s Infancy Narrative (continued)

▫d. Catholic connection Annunciation + Visitation Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace,The Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women,And blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,Pray for us sinners

Now and at the hour of our death.

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•5. “Hidden Years”

▫a. The Boy Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)

What does this passage tell us about Jesus and

his “hidden years?

Faithful Jewish parents

Religious curiosity and insight

Close relationship with God

Obedient to his parents

“Grew in wisdom, age, and favor”

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•5. “Hidden Years” (continued)

▫b. Key Points Throughout his life, Jesus was like other

people in all things except sin.

During his “hidden years”, we can imagine that Jesus was special, but not strange.

A. Infancy Narratives (continued)•5. “Hidden Years” (continued)

▫c. Apocryphal story In the early church, there was a story that

described Jesus as young boy who, in order to entertain & impress his friends, would take clay models of birds and magically make them come alive and fly away.

Do you think this story is historically accurate? Why or why not?

* Philippians 2:5-9“Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped...”

B. Jesus’ Baptism•Use your Venn diagram to discover 1

specific example of how a theme of each author shows up in his account of Jesus’ baptism.▫Matthew

Theme: Connection to baptism account:

▫Luke Theme:

Connection to baptism account:

B. Jesus’ Baptism•John the Baptist preached REPENTANCE

▫ awareness of sin and a change of heart and action

•Baptism is the starting point of Jesus’ ministry

•3 Key Symbols:▫Opening of the sky – God has come to the

people▫Dove – joy, innocence, freedom, power,

direction of the Holy Spirit▫Voice – fulfillment of prophecies about the

messiah & the Suffering Servant

B. Jesus’ Baptism (continued)•WHY would Jesus be baptized?

▫Obedience to God’s plan (humility)

▫Foreshadows “baptism of death” for forgiveness of our sins

▫Model/example for our own baptism (takes on our identity)

C. Temptation in the Desert•Look up and copy down the following

verses from the book of Deuteronomy:▫6:13

▫6:16▫8:3

C. Temptation in the Desert (continued)•Matthew 4:1-11

Temptation Response

Significance

1st

2nd

3rd

C. Temptation in the Desert (continued)•Matthew 4:1-11

Temptation Response

Significance

1st Turn stone into bread.

Deut. 8:3 Jesus’ ministry is about providing for the spiritual needs of the people.

2nd Prove you are God’s Son by jumping & having angels catch you.

Deut. 6:16 Jesus will use God’s power to bring about good, not to force people to believe in him.

3rd Worship Satan to gain power over all the kingdoms of the world.

Deut. 6:13 Jesus will not be a political leader, but will lead by his example of love & obedience.

• Temptation 1• Turn stone into bread• Deut. 8:3• Jesus’ ministry is about providing the spiritual

needs of the people• Temptation 2• Deut. 6:16• Prove you are God’s son by jumping & having

angels catch you.• Jesus will use God’s power to do good not to force

people to believe in him

•Temptation 3•Deut. 6:13•Worship Satan to have power over all the

kingdoms of the earth• Jesus will not be a political leader but will

lead by his example of love and obedience

C. Temptation in the Desert (continued)•Key Points

▫Jesus’ temptations help him identify with us

▫Jesus’ temptation recalls Hebrew Scripture Time in the desert = 40 days (Hebrews 40

years) Temptation of power = Adam & EveBut Jesus remained faithful• Jesus refused the easy way out. Love is

demanding, but it is the way to go.

▫Jesus will not be the kind of messiah the people expected

C. Temptation in the Desert (continued)• The 1st Temptation: Relying on material things;

seeking comfort in “stuff” rather than God.• The 2nd Temptation: Putting God to the test;

showing off• The 3rd Temptation: Trying to gain power over

people; “worshiping” something other than GodDiscuss the following questions in your small

groupHow do teenagers today face similar temptations?

Think of specific situations and examples.Come up with a faithful but realistic response a

teenager could give in the face of each temptation.

What makes a good teacher?

D. Jesus the Teacher•Copy the statements into your notes and

use your Bible to fill in the blanks.▫During his life, Jesus was called ____ (John

6:25)

▫Jesus taught in many places: ______ (Luke 2:46) • ______ (Luke 4:16) ______ (Luke 4:38) • ______ (Matthew 5:1)

▫Jesus taught about many topics ______ (Mark 12:14) • ______ (Mark 10:2) ______ (Luke 12:13) • ______ (Mark 12:28)

D. Jesus the Teacher (continued)•Jesus’ QUALITIES as a teacher

▫Authentic (led by example; practiced what he preached) Example:

▫Pursued people (taught wherever they were) Example:

▫Enjoyed life Example:

▫Down-to-earth language Example:

▫Spoke with authority (unique perspectives) Example:

▫Good debater Example:

D. Jesus the Teacher (continued)• Match the following passages with the

quality they exemplify. Write a brief description of the passage along with the citation.▫John 2:1-2

▫Luke 6:17-18

▫Matthew 5:13-14

▫John 15:12-13

▫Matthew 22:15-22

▫Matthew 5:38-39

E. The Kingdom of GodWhat do these people have in common?

E- An Oppressed People Dream of a Liberator

1-Messiah- associated with King David a) He will be born of the House of David b) King David-United 12 tribes-defeated their

enemies c) It was a time of peace and prosperity 2- Took on mythic qualities

a) great warrior kingb) great military leader

3- Divinity not part of the expectationJesus- beyond human expectations

E 4. The Kingdom of God• a. A.K.A.

▫The Reign of God▫The Kingdom of Heaven

• b. Definition▫The rule of God’s love over the hearts of

people and a new social order based on people’s unconditional love for one another.

• c. Key points ▫K0G = central theme of Jesus’ preaching▫Jesus initiated the KoG through his words

& deeds

E. The Kingdom of God (continued)•d. Special Features pages 95-96 (in

italics)▫Use your workbook to list and explain the

7 “special features” of the Kingdom of God

How is this PRESENT today?

How is this ABSENT today?

SCRIPTURE Passage (citation)

The Kingdom is here now

The Kingdom is of a loving God, the FatherThe Kingdom is for everyone

The Kingdom is a free gift from a merciful GodThe Church is the beginning of God’s KingdomThe Kingdom is united by the Holy SpiritThe Kingdom involves a life of service

Image 1 Image 2

Title of Feature 1

Title of Feature 2

Title of Feature 3

Title of Feature 4

Title of Feature 5

Title of Feature 6

Title of Feature 7

E. The Kingdom of God (continued)•d. Special Features

▫Use your textbook to list and explain the 7 “special features” of the Kingdom of God

Assignment: Create a Kingdom of God collage that includes 2 images to demonstrate each of the 7 special features listed in the textbook (14 images total)Class time to work on the collageDue at the beginning of class Monday

11/1425 points