1. Development of the Gospels

2. The Life Stage During the time that Jesus lived and worked, he had a profound effect on his disciples. During the time that Jesus lived and worked, he had a profound effect on his disciples. Began with the birth of Jesus and ended with his ascension into heaven. Began with the birth of Jesus and ended with his ascension into heaven.

3. Jesus lived a normal Jewish life Jesus lived a normal Jewish life Jesus traveled the countryside teaching, preaching, healing, & proclaiming the Kingdom of God Jesus traveled the countryside teaching, preaching, healing, & proclaiming the Kingdom of God Jesus frequently traveled to Jerusalem for religious events Jesus frequently traveled to Jerusalem for religious events Jesus made a living as a carpenter Jesus made a living as a carpenter

4. The Oral Stage After the ascension of Jesus, the disciples and the early church proclaimed the Good News throughout the Roman Empire. After the ascension of Jesus, the disciples and the early church proclaimed the Good News throughout the Roman Empire. Began on Pentecost and lasted until the apostles realized they could not preach to all people in their lifetimes. Began on Pentecost and lasted until the apostles realized they could not preach to all people in their lifetimes.

5. Early Christians believed that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s Old Testament promises Early Christians believed that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s Old Testament promises They expected to remain pious Jews They expected to remain pious Jews Jews were resistant to Jesus’ message Jews were resistant to Jesus’ message Therefore, Jewish-Christians began preaching to gentiles Therefore, Jewish-Christians began preaching to gentiles

6. During the first century, most common way of teaching and learning was through oral transmission During the first century, most common way of teaching and learning was through oral transmission

7. Disciples believed that once the “Good News” was proclaimed to all people, Jesus would return --- meaning the world as they knew it would end. Disciples believed that once the “Good News” was proclaimed to all people, Jesus would return --- meaning the world as they knew it would end.

8. The Written Stage The Gospels were actually written by the Evangelists, who likely served as editors or collectors of material that had gradually developed over the years in the oral stage. The Gospels were actually written by the Evangelists, who likely served as editors or collectors of material that had gradually developed over the years in the oral stage.

9. Why did the disciples wait so long to write the gospels? 1. The end was not coming as quickly as they thought 2. Distortions were setting in 3. Those who knew Jesus were dying 4. The need for use during worship