1. The New Testament  Sometimes referred to as The Christian Scriptures it is the second division of the bible.  The New Testament contains 27 Books –4 Gospels –Acts of the Apostles –21 Letters (Epistles) –The Book of Revelation

2. What is a Gospel?  The word Gospel means “Good News”  It refers to the life of Jesus  It refers to the teachings of Jesus  There are 4 written versions of the Good News of Jesus Christ* *Christ is a title not Jesus’ last name. It means “The Anointed One”

3. Gospels Matthew Mark Luke ACTS John Q Special M Special L

4. Terms You Need To Know  Q (Quelle) Source — Matthew and Luke tell some similar stories not found in Mark. These seem to be based on a similar source of material not shared with Mark. This source was called Q because we do not know where it originated.  Synoptic Gospels ---- Matthew, Mark and Luke which share similar stories and have much in common with each other. Much of Mark appears in Matthew and Luke. John is significantly different than these 3 gospels.

5.  Even though the Synoptic Gospels are similar they are not the same  To show this we will read the 2 Nativity stories in the Gospels  One half of the class will read Matthew 1:18-2:23  The other half of the class will read Luke Chapter 2  Each group will write down a list of the characters and events in each gospel  We will compare the stories to see similarities and differences

7. Matthew Nativity Story  King Herod is scared by what the wise men tell him  The chief priests and scribes tell Herod that the scriptures say the Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem  Wise Men from the East saw his star (the number of wise men is not given)  Star stops over the place Jesus is  Went into a house and saw Jesus and Mary  Gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh  Wise men warned in a dream not to return to Herod  Joseph has a dream and flees with Mary and Jesus to Egypt  Herod had all children 2 years and younger killed in and around Bethlehem

8. Luke Nativity Story  The Emperor Augustus decrees a census  Joseph went from Nazareth to Bethlehem the city of David  In Bethlehem Mary gives birth to a child wraps him in bands of cloth (swaddling) and lays Him in a manager because there was no room in the inn.  An angel appeared to the shepherds who were watching their flocks at night and told them a Savior, the Messiah is born  A multitude of angels appear and praised God saying “Glory to God in the Highest..”  The shepherds go to Bethlehem and find the Holy Family  The shepherds tell others what they have seen  Mary treasures these things in her heart  The Circumcision of Jesus  Simeon blesses Jesus  The boy Jesus teaches in the Temple

11. Christmas and The Feast of Saturnalia  Roman feast celebrating the Winter Solstice  Lasted from December 13-25  Romans feasted and exchanged small gifts  No one knows the actually time and year of Christ’s birth. Earliest Christian reference to December 25 as Jesus’ birth date is from Theophilus of Antioch (A.D. 171-183) www.about.com  Many other dates including January 6 were also celebrated as Jesus’ birthday.  In 529 AD, Emperor Justinian proclaimed December 25 a holiday from work.

12. Here Comes Santa Claus! Saint Nicholas was a Bishop who lived in Turkey. He was known As a generous person who Saint Nicholas, died December 6, 342 AD. He is the model for Santa Claus

13. What’s in the New Testament? Gospels Letters Acts of the Apostles Revelations

14. Audience: Non-Jewish (Gentile) Christians living in Rome Date Written: ~67-73 AD Image of Jesus: Active healer and miracle worker who accepts loneliness and suffering as the cost to obedience to God’s will.

15. Audience: Greek Christians and Jews Date Written: : ~ 75-90 AD Image of Jesus: Jesus has mercy, compassion and concern for poor people.

16. Audience: Jewish Christians Date Written: : sometime in the 80’s Image of Jesus: Jesus is the promised Messiah and the greatest prophet. He taught the new law and called people to be faithful to God.

17. Audience: All Christians- diverse group that included Samaritan converts, Gentile Christians and Jewish Christians who were expelled from synagogues Date Written: likely between 90 and 100 AD Image of Jesus: Jesus is noble and powerful, fully in control of His own destiny.

19. GospelAuthorDateAudienceImage of Jesus MarkA Gentile Christian, possibly a disciple of Peter 65-70 A.D. first written Gospel; shortest Gospel Non-Jewish Christians (in Rome?) being persecuted for their belief in Jesus Healer and miracle worker who accepts pain and suffering as the cost for following God’s will MatthewUnknown; most likely Jewish- Christian, traditionally associated with the apostle Matthew 85 A.D.Christian JewsThe greatest prophet, who brings the New Law; Jesus is teacher/preacher LukeGentile Christian named Luke, who may have been a disciple of Paul 80-85 A.D.Gentile (Greek) Christians represented by Theophilus Merciful, compassionate, with a special concern for poor people, women and non-Jews JohnMember of a Christian community possibly founded by the Beloved Disciple 90-100 A.D.All the Christians of the world Noble, powerful, and divine; fully in control of his destiny; uses poetic images of Jesus Gospel Chart

20. Author: Author of Luke’s Gospel Audience: Greek Christians and Jews Date Written: 80 AD Purpose: It shows the growth of the early Christian communities, particularly through the works of Peter and Paul

21. Paul (Originally Saul of Tarsus) Saul was a Jew and a Roman citizen. He was born in Tarsus (Modern day Turkey) His Roman name was Paul. He was a Pharisee ( Jews who felt that strict observance to Jewish law separated them from Gentile influence) Saul persecuted Christians. He was even at the stoning of Stephen. Saul experiences Jesus on the road to Damascus (Syria) He starts preaching to the Gentiles. He spread Christianity to non-Jews. Paul wrote 13 letters Paul taught Jesus actually rose from the dead. Was the Son of God and the Christ. He taught that Jesus atoned for our sins.

22. Author: Paul, Paul’s followers, James, Peter, John and Jude Audience: Early Christian Communities Date Written: 50-130 C. E. Purpose: To discuss issues of concern; to give advice for Christian living; to discuss the meaning of faith

23. Author: John of Patmos Audience: Persecuted Christians Date Written: 92-96 C.E. Apocalyptic Literature --- Stories written in a symbolic style that are to be understood only by certain readers who know the meaning of the symbols  Purpose: Apocalyptic Literature --- Stories written in a symbolic style that are to be understood only by certain readers who know the meaning of the symbols Written to give hope to Christian churches in Asia Minor during a time of Roman persecution. IT IS NOT ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD! IT IS A STORY OF HOPE WHERE GOOD OVERCOMES EVIL!

24. Ways Jesus taught the Good News about God’s Kingdom Through His Ministry (helping and teaching others) Example: The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12 Through parables: Stories with meanings Through examples of Love: Read John11:17-37 Through prayer: Our Father Read: Matthew 6: 5-15

25. Miracles: An announcement of God’s, loving presence in our life. 1. Jesus’ miracles reveal God’s power 2. Jesus’ miracles are signs of God’s Kingdom. An invitation to believe in Jesus as the bringer of God’s kingdom. Miracles invite faith in Jesus and membership in God’s kingdom

26. 4 types of miracles performed by Jesus: Healing Miracles: they show God's power to banish suffering Miracles over nature: They show God’s power over the world Exorcism Miracles: They show God’s power over evil (Casting out demons) Raisings from the Dead

27. How would you describe the reign of God?  Why is the Reign of God like a fast food restaurant?  Why is the Reign of God like an Energizer Bunny?  Why is the Reign of God like a Krispy Kreme Doughnut? a Krispy Kreme Doughnut?

28. The Reign of God  Jesus compares the Reign of God to many things. The Kingdom of God is like…”

29. Who were the followers of Jesus? The Apostles Specific Women Disciples

30. Women who followed Jesus.  Mary Magdalene: A wealthy woman whom wealthy woman whom Jesus cured of possession Jesus cured of possession by demons by demons  Mary and Martha: Sisters of Jesus’ friend Sisters of Jesus’ friend Lazarus Lazarus  Mary, Mother of Jesus: Mary is with the Apostles after Jesus’ death and Resurrection.

31. 12 Apostles: Teachers trained by Jesus  Men called by Jesus to follow Him.  Simon Peter Matthew Matthew Andrew Andrew Thomas Thomas James son of Zebedee James son of Zebedee James James John Brother of James John Brother of James Jude Jude Philip Philip Simon Simon Bartholomew Bartholomew Judas Iscariot (Replaced by Mathias) Judas Iscariot (Replaced by Mathias)

32. Paschal Mystery: Christ’s work of redemption, accomplished principally by His Passion, Death, Resurrection, and glorious Ascension. This mystery is commemorated and made present through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.

33. ACTS OF THE APOSTLES  Begins with the Ascension of Jesus  Tells of the Holy Spirit coming to the Apostles on Pentecost  Tells how the early Church took care of each other  Tells how Mathias was chosen to replace Judas  Tells about St. Stephen the first Martyr  Tells how Saul became Paul and spread the Good News in his travels with Silas  Tells why Gentiles were allowed to follow Jesus without becoming Jewish

34. Letters  The letters are the oldest scriptures found in the New Testament (Christian Scriptures)  The are written to early Christian churches spread out in cities across the Middle-East and Asia Minor  They teach lessons in Christian thinking and living  They explain Christian teachings

35. Revelations  The book is written in symbolic language called Apocalyptic literature.  It uses coded messages to give hope to Christians in a time of persecution.  It speaks of the Anti-Christ, a person who is against Jesus. This person was probably meant to represent the Emperor Nero. Nero persecuted and killed Christians. He blamed them for burning the city of Rome.  The number 666 probably stands for Nero’s name in Hebrew.