Know Your Bible Welcome to Week 7 The Gospels (Teaching and miracles)

Why four gospels? The four most authentic eye-witness records of the life of Jesus. Different insights into Jesus’ life from different perspectives. What type of writing? Biographies, but not in the modern sense Include only the events that have historical and moral/spiritual significance. The Gospels

Matthew Also known as Levi, hated tax-collector, seen as collaborator with the Romans. Jewish audience – most links with the Old Testament of all the four gospels Contains the famous Sermon on the Mount

Mark Possibly John Mark, who later travelled with Paul, then Barnabas. Shortest gospel, proceeds at a fast pace No elaboration. The Gospels

Luke Historian, physician, later companion of Paul. Aimed to write an ‘orderly account’. Precise historical details that have stood up to considerable scrutiny. The Gospels

John One of the inner three closest disciples. Last gospel to be written, end of first century A.D. Deliberately avoids repetition of Synoptic gospels Discloses facts and sayings of Jesus from John’s unique and intimate perspective The Gospels

Teaching The Kingdom of Heaven - “May Your Kingdom come.” Radical way of teaching ‘Amen. I swear in advance to the truth of what I am about to say’ – Jesus claims higher authority than teachers of his day.

1.Seven ‘I am’ statements in John – 6:35,8:12,8:58,10:11,11:25,14:6,15:1 2.Sermon on The Mount – Matthew 5,6,7 3.The Parable of the Sower – Matthew 13 4.The Parable of the Good Samaritan – Luke 10:25 onwards. 5.Three lost things – Luke 15 Teaching

Miracles Jesus’ interpretation of miracles: ‘If I by the finger of God cast out demons you will know that the kingdom of God has come upon you’ (Luke 11:20)

1. Feeding of the 5,000 – Luke 9: Jesus walks on water – Matthew 14: Exorcism of demoniac – Mark 5: Healing of blind man – John 9 5. Raising of Lazarus from the dead – John 11 Miracles

The Gospels (Crucifixion and Resurrection) Next week: