1. Introduction to the Bible
Week 4

2. † Story Arc CHRIST’S RETURN FALL HUMAN HISTORY REDEMPTION CREATION
Climax
Rising Action
Falling Action
HUMAN HISTORY
REDEMPTION
Denouement
Exposition
CREATION
RESTORATION

3. Types

4. The Gospels
Bible books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John Timeline: Jesus’ Birth through his Ascension (c. 4 BC-33 AD) What is a gospel? Message of Good News Mark 1:1,2 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'make ready the way of the lord, make his paths straight.'"

5. Why the Gospels matter?
As Mark indicates, these are the good news of Jesus Christ. But, who cares?
Jesus is the central figure of the Bible (John 5:39; Luke 24:44) and the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham and David (Matt. 1:1).
In Jesus, God became a man. (John 1:1, 1:14; Phil 2:6-8)

6. Understanding the Gospels
Learn about the diversity of the gospels. They each have a different structure, different theme, and a different purpose.
Why are there four gospels? Different Audiences
Learn about Jesus’ world.
Look at Overview of the Gospels worksheet
The Gospels include narrative lessons and the direct teachings of Jesus Christ

7. Narrative: the Cross The cross is central to the gospels:
Jesus’ Last Week dominates the gospels, culminating in the crucifixion
Jesus says it’s why he came (Mark 10:45)
The only ritual instituted by Jesus is about his death. (Luke 22:17-20)

8. Statement Significance “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?
Self Identification with Psalm 22
“Today you will be with me in paradise.”
Total sinner receives forgiveness, dies shortly after
“It is Finished”
Legal term used to indicate that the criminal sentence had been satisfied

9. Narrative: The Outcome
Temple Veil Torn (Luke 23:45) Resurrection- What’s the big deal? 1 Corinthians 15:3,4- For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, Romans 4:25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

10. Teaching: Kingdom of God
The Jews’ view of the kingdom of God: See Daniel 2:44
The Jews’ view of the kingdom of God:
God’s Kingdom
Messiah’s Coming
This Present Evil Age

11. Kingdom in its fullness
Kingdom of God
Jesus and the “Kingdom at hand”:
Kingdom in its fullness
Messiah’s 2nd Coming
This Present Evil Age
Messiah’s 1st Coming
Kingdom at hand

12. Kingdom Parables
What are parables? Parables almost always make a single point and are designed to elicit a response. The kingdom parables: Matthew 13:24-30; 31-32; 44

13. The Righteous and Unrighteous will live together
Matt 13
Kingdom at Hand
Kingdom in its fullness vs
The Righteous and Unrighteous will live together
God will separate the righteous from the unrighteous vs
The kingdom starts small and gradually grows large
God’s kingdom will come suddenly and dominate the whole world
vs. 44
God’s Kingdom is inconspicuous yet worthy of all we possess
The value of God’s kingdom will be obvious to everyone

14. Kingdom of God Some crucial lessons from Kingdom:
You are not righteous to be a part of the kingdom! (Matt. 5:20)
The time to repent is now. (Matt 4:17)
God is committed to our well-being; pursue the kingdom first! (Matt. 6:33) 

15. Parables of Salvation Jesus’ parables are revolutionary.
His parables expose misconceptions, pride and dishonesty.  
They reverse expectations about wealthy, powerful, & religious people.
Jesus’ parables undermine, challenge, threaten, weaken, & destabilize our personal agenda.

16. Parables of Salvation Luke 15:11-32 Who is the parable addressed to?
What attitude is Jesus speaking to?
What is the emphasis of this section?
Learn what you can about the historical and cultural setting of your passage.
Don’t assume your associations are the same as the original listeners!

17. Understanding Parables
Don’t lose the main point by trying to attach significance to every detail.
What part of the parable would have shocked this audience?
The point of the parable(s)?
What can you take away from this passage? (Cf. The Prodigal God)

18. History: Acts Timeline: 33 – c. 60 A.D. Key events:
Acts provides an account of how Jesus guided the growth of the early church through the Holy Spirit. (See 1:8)
Jerusalem (Ch. 1-7)
Judea and Samaria (Ch. 8)
Ends of the Earth (Ch. 9,10 ff)