1. Ch. 3: The Essential Jesus
Part 1:The Infancy Narratives &
Baptism of Jesus

2. Assignments
(due Mon.,/) Print out PPt notes (3/pg w/ lines for notes; Read pp > “…our ordinariness”; RQs 1-7, p. 91
(due Weds., /) Read pp ; RQs 8-12, p. 91
(due Thurs., / Read pp ; RQs 1-5, p. 97

3. Assignments
(due Weds., /) Read pp ; do “Miracles” exercise on pp
(due Fri., /) Read pp ; RQs on p. 103
(due ) Create a “Matthean” or “Lucan” Christmas card according to specifications on linked sheet.
(due) Research 1 sacred Christmas carol acc. to directions on sheet

4. Assignments (due ., /) Parent Interview:
Why is Xmas celebrated on Dec. 25th?
What is the most important meaning of Christmas?
Written summary of parents’ response/reaction

5. Assignments
(due ., /) / Activity 2, p. 127 (Add: Has your Confirmation been a real, mature “owning” of your faith? Why or why not?)
(Tues., 5/10) TEST on Ch. 3
Review Questions
Notes (Netclassroom)
Ppt notes

6. Assignments (due Tues., 4/17) Read pp. 91-97, and do RQs on p. 97
(due Thurs., 4/19) From list on p , choose 3 of your favorite of Jesus’ parables, and answer for each one:
What is the message of this parable?
What is one real life scenario to which this parable has something meaningful to say?

7. Assignments
(due Tues., 4/24) Read pp , and do “miracles” exercise on p. 100 and RQs on p.103
(due Thurs., 5/3) TEST on Ch. 3 (part 2)

8. “Infancy Narratives” In Matthew & Luke only… why?
Early Christians’ preaching (kerygma) about the Risen Christ focused on
Death and resurrection
Life, teachings & deeds/miracles
Only later are Christians interested in birth/childhood of Jesus
Mark: earliest Gospel; pre-dates this interest

9. Matthew Luke Ancestry of Jesus Conception of Jesus Born in Bethlehem
Visit of the Magi
Escape into Egypt
Slaughter of Innocents
Return to Nazareth in Galilee
Jesus’ & John’s births foretold
Annunciation
VisitationMagnificat
Birth/circmcsn of John
Benedictus
J the B’s “hidden life”
Birth of Jesus
Visit of Shepherds
Presentation in Temple
Jesus’ “hidden life”
Jesus at 12: lost in Temple

10. “Infancy Narratives” Matthew: Jewish audience
Joseph’s perspective (descendant of David)
Features Joseph, Herod, Magi & flight into Egypt: Why?
Luke: Outcast Gentile audience
Mary’s perspective (lowly/woman, etc.)
Features Mary, Shepherds, Simeon: Why?

11. The Betrothal (Mt. 1:18-25) Jewish betrothal
A blessing of the relationship
Official commitment as binding as marriage
Lasted one year
Broken only by a divorce

12. The Annunciation (Lk. 1:26-38)
Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she is to conceive and bear a Son
“angel” from Gk. = Messenger/ bringer of news
Pictured as ray of light: why?
NOT the “Immaculate Conception”

13. The Annunciation Mary Probably young teenager
Completely surrenders to God: “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me as you say.”

14. Coming of the Messiah Means “the Anointed One” Hebrew= mesch’iah
Ie. The King (“King of kings”)
Hebrew= mesch’iah
Greek= christos
Jesus the Christ… the Anointed One of Israel

15. The Visitation (Lk.1:39-80) Mary visits Elizabeth
Shows Mary’s love/ unselfishness
Parallels between Elizabeth/John the Baptist and Mary/Jesus

16. Joseph’s Dream In Matthew, Joseph is visited by an “angel” in dream
He, the faithful Jew, takes care of everything “according to the Law”

17. Why Bethlehem? Roman Census
Tension between Herod & Roman emissaries: census unpopular (“We should have no ruler except the Lord!”)

18. Why Bethlehem? Joseph of David’s line Bethlehem= David’s city
Prophecy: “For you, Bethlehem, are in no way the least among the cities of Judah, for from you shall come forth a shepherd of my people Israel.” (Micah 5:2)

19. The Birth of Jesus “Nativity” from Latin nativitas=birth
“Christmas” from Old English Christes Maesse = the Mass of Christ
Not originally a feast

20. The Birth of Jesus Date unknown
Dec. 25 may be end of “Saturnalia”, Roman feast of the “birth of the Sun”
For more:

21. The Presentation Circumcision: initiated child into community
Presentation: consecration (making holy/ setting apart/ making special) of firstborn unto God
Purification: of mother, after birth

22. Visit of Magi Midrash? Gifts symbolize Christ as: Priest (incense)
King (gold)
Prophet who will suffer for message (myrrh)

23. Baptism of Jesus John the Baptist Link between Old & New Testament
Last of OT Prophets
Prepared People for coming of the Messiah

24. Baptism of Jesus Baptism for repentant sinners
Jesus is baptized for our sins
Jesus “like us in all things, except sin.”

25. Baptism of Jesus
“Confirmation” of Jesus… “This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.”
Shows presence of the Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit)

26. Temptation of Jesus Immediately after Baptism Desert = Trial/struggle
Tempted away from:
Suffering
Serving
Submission only to the Father

27. Beginning of Ministry
“Inauguration” in synagogue (a “bringing together”/ gathering)
Clear prophecy of Messiah
Why so hard to believe?

28. Jesus the Teacher Teacher= rabbi (sometimes “Master” in film)
Core teaching= the coming of the “Kingdom of God” or “Rule of God”

29. Kingdom of God… is here and now is of a loving God (Abba)
is a free gift; not earned
Beginning/seed is the “here & now” community or “assembly” of believers --the “Church” (ekklesia)
Involves life of serving others

30. Jesus the Miracle Worker
4 types of miracles:
Physical healing
Nature miracles
Exorcisms
Raising the dead

32. Miracles: “Signs” of Kingdom
What are the miracles?
Teras = “marvel”
Dynamis = “power”
Semion = “sign”
Ergon = “work”
Miracle= a marvelous, powerful work or sign of God’s reign

33. Miracles: Proclamation of Kingdom
Jesus proclaimed God’s rule over
Sin (forgiveness of sinners)
Sickness (cures of illnesses)
Death (raising the dead)
Jesus proclaimed Himself as promised Messiah

34. Miracles: Invitation to Kingdom
Responses:
Acceptance/ Faith
Rejection/ Disbelief
Impressed/ Apathy
What is your response? What do you “make” of Jesus’ miracles?