1. The Development of the Gospels
Three Stages
The Development of the Gospels

2. Stage #1
Jesus of Nazareth and his Disciples

3. What basic facts about Jesus can we be certain of ?
Jesus was born a Jew sometime around 5 B.C.E. in Bethlehem of Judea
He began teaching and preaching at about age 30

4. He was referred to as a holy person, a prophet, others said he was a fraud and a threat to the Roman State
He was brought to trial and crucified around 30 C.E.

5. What did the early Christians believe Jesus to be?
They thought he was the awaited Messiah - God’s only Son
Stage #1

6. What events caused people to change their minds about Jesus?
The resurrection changed their minds.
Three days after Jesus was crucified and died on the cross he rose from the dead.
Stage #1

7. What is the significance of calling Jesus, “Lord”?
“Lord” was a name used only to refer to God so it showed they thought he was divine.
LORD
Stage #1

8. What is the significance of Jesus Christ’s name?
Jesus means “Yahweh saves”
Christ means “Anointed One” or “Messiah”
Christ is not Jesus’ last name like Smith.
Stage #1

9. Stage #2
The Disciples and the Early Community of Faith

10. How was the Good News spread after the death and resurrection of Jesus?
Stage #2

11. The Good News (Gospel) was spread orally for at least 30yrs after Jesus death and resurrection.

12. Why did it take so long to write the Gospels?
The people thought that Jesus was going to return in their life time so they didn’t need to write anything
Stage #2

13. “Oral Tradition”
Oral Tradition is the sharing of information about Jesus by word of mouth
Jesus’ friends would share their experiences through telling stories and preaching.

14. Stage #3
The Early Community of Faith and the Evangelists

15. How long after Jesus’ death were the Gospels written?
The Gospels were not written until about years after Jesus’ death.

16. In what order and when were the Gospels written?
Stage #3

17. The order of the Gospel writing: Mark - Luke - Matthew - John
Mark written around 70 C.E.
Luke and Matthew around C.E.
John written around C.E.

18. Why were the Gospels written?
It became necessary to preserve Jesus’ teachings to pass on to future generations
It was needed to instruct the community of faith

19. Why is each Gospel unique?
Stage #3

20. Each Gospel is unique because the stories were gathered and assembled so they would respond to the needs of a particular audience, in a particular location, at a particular time

21. What information was used to write the Gospels?
Stage #3

22. Stories about Jesus
Words of Jesus applied to life experience
Insights between the life and message of Jesus
Information Jesus taught about our relationship with God.

23. Gospels were written by several people in different times and places.
It is doubtful that any one person was responsible for the total development of the Gospels.
Gospels were written by several people in different times and places.
Stage #3

24. How should the Gospels be viewed?
They should be viewed as portraits of Jesus - not as a complete biography of his life

25. What’s Next…
Using “The Gospel Authors” Handout. create a chart in you notebooks which provides information on the following:
Author, Date, Themes, portraits of Jesus, questions answered, additional information
Continue to work on ‘Everyday Truths” Project