1. Unit 13: Jesus Builds the Kingdom of God through Words

2. Section 4: The Controversy Stories The Gospel According to Mark The Gospel According to Luke The Gospel According to Matthew

3. The Controversy Stories A Controversy or Conflict Story –A short narrative in which someone, often with hostile intent, approaches Jesus with a hard question –The tense situation provides Jesus with an opportunity to deliver his own wise teaching, to display his superior wisdom, and to escape the trap set for him by his opponents

4. The Controversy Stories The Question about Fasting (Matthew 9: 14- 17) –What is the hard question that the group poses to Jesus? –What is Jesus' wise response to and teaching about the question?

5. The Controversy Stories The Question about Fasting (Matthew 9: 14-17) –What is the hard question that the group poses to Jesus? “Why do we [the disciples of John] and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” –What is Jesus' wise response to and teaching about the question? Jesus does not reject the practice of fasting –The act of fasting brings us close to God through penance, purification, and cleansing Jesus says that during times of joy, such as a wedding feast, a person must celebrate and display gratitude through eating and dancing

6. The Controversy Stories Picking Grain & Healing on the Sabbath (Matthew 12: 1-14) –What is the hard question that the group poses to Jesus? –What is Jesus' wise response to and teaching about the question?

7. The Controversy Stories Picking Grain & Healing on the Sabbath (Matthew 12: 1-14) –What is the hard question that the group poses to Jesus? “Is it lawful to [work or] cure on the Sabbath?” –What is Jesus' wise response to and teaching about the question? Jesus does not reject the practice of keeping holy the Sabbath day –The Sabbath day helps people to maintain a proper or right relationship with God through prayer and rest from daily work Jesus acknowledges that the rules regarding the Sabbath often lead people away from a proper relationship with God or the rules become the false idols of worship Jesus states that God desires “mercy, not sacrifice” and “good” acts on the Sabbath

8. The Controversy Stories Paying Taxes to the Emperor (Matthew 22: 15-22) –What is the hard question that the group poses to Jesus? –What is Jesus' wise response to and teaching about the question?

9. The Controversy Stories Paying Taxes to the Emperor (Matthew 22: 15-22) –What is the hard question that the group poses to Jesus? “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” –What is Jesus' wise response to and teaching about the question? Jesus does not reject the rights and obligations due to secular governments Jesus acknowledges that people often misplace their allegiances and place things of this world, such as politics, before God and the spiritual world Jesus asserts that people must be most concerned with the rights and obligations that are granted to them by God –As such, proper or right relationship with God through prayer and good works is of upmost concern

10. The Controversy Stories