1. 4-3 The Public Ministry of Jesus Read page 100 – 103, answer the FOR REVIEW questions on page 109, numbers 1-3 Read pages 105 -109, answer the FOT REVIEW questions on page 109 numbers 4-7

2. Aim: What was the public ministry of Jesus? I.A Community of Disciples A. Disciples – people who would learn from Jesus and carry on his mission B. Apostles – twelve closest men called to be disciples, also called the Twelve 1. mostly fishermen 2. Peter (Simon) chosen as the leader by Jesus 3. Andrew, Peter’s brother 4. brother James and John 5. Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus

3. II. The Mission: Proclaiming the Kingdom of God A. Kingdom of love, not of political rule or power B. God is our Father 1. Abba “my own dear father” 2. sense of Sonship was intense, familiar and personal 3. Lord Prayer, not just His Father but our Father C. We are all loved by God 1. Jesus was the embodiment of God’s love 2. We are all God’s children

4. III.The Kingdom of God is among You A. Jesus’ actions: Signs of the Kingdom 1. healing and life-restoring miracles 2. Nature miracles 3. inclusion of outsiders 4. love of enemies 5. confronting of hypocrisy and religious legalism B. The least are the Greatest 1. Beatitudes are the values and the lifestyle that characterize those who live in God’s Kingdom – Matthew Sermon on the Mount 2. paying attention first to the poor and those on the margins of society 3. serving others

5. C. Parables of the Kingdom 1. parable of the lost sheep a). God cares about those sinners, ones other have given up on b). We too must seek out the lost ones 2. parable of the good Samaritan a). Kingdom is open to all who are open to God b). Outsiders can enter before the “respectable ones”

6. IV. The Response to Jesus A. Accepted him and followed his way B. Political, social and religious leaders rejected him 1. threatened by his appeal to the people 2. looking for a take-charge military leader