1. Chapter 4 New Testament Word of the Week “Parable” Prayer for September “Hail Mary”

2. New Testament Books  Matthew  Mark  Luke  John  Acts  Romans  1&2 Corinthians  Galatians  Ephesians  Philippians  Colossians  1&2 Thessalonians  1&2 Timothy  Titus  Philemon  Hebrews  James  1&2 Peter  1,2&3 John  Jude  Revelation

3. Matthew (Man) Strength and Authority  Written to a Jewish audience to show Jesus as the promised Messiah of the OT; key expression is “that what was spoken might be fulfilled”  Quotes more from the OT then any other Gospel  Major theme is the Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of God-God’s Rule in the world and human hearts

4. Mark (Lion) Service and Power  Probably the first Gospel written  Focuses on Jesus as a servant who ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of others  The shortest Gospel, written to a Gentile audience, particularly Roman citizens

5. Luke (Ox) Wisdom and Character  Written by a Gentile writer, for the Gentiles, to give the full story of Jesus’ life from His Birth to the birth of the church  Records many of Jesus’ parables not found in other Gospels  Emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit and the central place of prayer in Jesus’ life and ministry

6. John (Eagle) Deity  Last Gospel written for a mature Christian audience  Focuses on the theological meaning of Jesus’ actions, rather than the actions themselves; emphasizes who Jesus is, rather than what he did  Uses many key words such as life, light, believe, love, witness, glory, water and truth, to portray Jesus as God’s eternal son  John's clear purpose in writing is “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and believing you may have life in His name” (20:31)

7. Group Activity

8. Gospels Gospel of Matthew (Teaching Messiah)  Genealogy  Birth Story –Matthew Ch.1:18-25 Gospel of Mark (Suffering Messiah)  No birth Story. Starts with Baptism Gospel of Luke (Compassionate Messiah)  Birth of John the Baptist Foretold  Birth of Jesus Christ foretold  Birth of John the Baptist  Birth of Jesus Christ –Luke Ch.2:1-7 Gospel of John (Life-Giving Messiah)  No birth Story. Starts with Baptism

9. FUN FACT  Jesus was NOT born on December 25 th. Instead, early Christians picked this date to celebrate Jesus’ birth because it was the pagan Roman feast of the “Unconquerable Sun”

10. The Garden of Gethsemane Perspectives  Matthew 26:36-56 –Kiss  Mark 14:32-52 –Kiss –Ear  Luke 22:39-53 –Kiss –Ear –Healed  John 18:1-11 –Ear

11. Modern Videos  The Temptation Of The Christ In The Garden Of Gethsemane (HQ) PoC-Garden of Gethsemane.flv PoC-Garden of Gethsemane.flv  JC Superstar-Garden of Gethsemane & Peter’s Denial JC Superstar-Garden of Gethsemane.flv JC Superstar-Garden of Gethsemane.flv

12.  Lifehouse Video Lifehouse-Everything.flv