Bible Study: Hebrew People and Old Testament

The Hebrew People

• The Hebrew people are described in the Old Testament as the descendants of Abraham and Sarah.
• After the Exodus, they became known as the Israelites.
• Later, they became known as Judeans or Jews.

Biblical Interpretation

• A biblical exegete is someone who interprets the meaning of biblical texts.
• The Ecumenical Council of Trent defined the canon of Sacred Scripture, which is the collection of books recognized as the inspired Word of God.

Studying Sacred Scripture

• One way to study Sacred Scripture is to consider its literary forms, which are different kinds of writing.
• Literary forms are determined by their literary technique, content, tone, and purpose.

Divine Inspiration

• Divine inspiration refers to the divine assistance the Holy Spirit gave to the authors of the Bible.
• This assistance enabled the authors to write in human words the message of salvation that God wanted to communicate.

The Second Coming

• The Parousia refers to the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time.
• During the Parousia, God's plan will be realized and humanity will be glorified.

Ecumenical Council of Trent

• Declared an infallible definition regarding the Canon of Sacred Scripture, which is the collection of books recognized by the Church as the inspired Word of God.

Studying Sacred Scripture

• One way to study Sacred Scripture is to consider its literary forms, which are different kinds of writing determined by their literary technique, content, tone, and purpose.

Divine Inspiration

• Refers to the divine assistance the Holy Spirit gave to the authors of the books of the Bible, enabling them to write in human words the message of salvation that God wanted to communicate.

The Second Coming of Christ

• The Parousia refers to the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time, when God's plan will be realized and humanity will be glorified.

Biblical Concepts

• Written Tradition: Refers to the synthesis in written form of the message of salvation that has been passed down by word of mouth, made possible under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Key Biblical Figures

• Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are known as the Patriarchs.

Abraham's Influence

• The influence of Abraham can be seen in the Genesis accounts of Cain and Abel, Noah and the Flood, and the building of the Tower of Babel.

Sin

• Original sin is a concept related to the stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and other biblical accounts.

Biblical Accounts

• The accounts of Creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the Flood, and the Tower of Babel are collectively referred to as the Primeval history.
• The Primeval history refers to the time before the invention of writing and recording of historical data.

Book of Genesis

• The book of Genesis explains our origins as people of faith.
• Genesis contains accounts of Creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the Flood, and the Tower of Babel.

God's Covenant

• God chose to make a Covenant with Abraham, a mutual promise and commitment by which he formed his people.

Creation Accounts

• The first account of Creation describes God's creative activity, structured as a seven-day week.
• The second account of Creation describes the first man and woman.

Moses and the Israelites

• Moses respected the wisdom of his adopted grandson.

The Israelites in Egypt

• The Israelites, Jacob's descendants, came to Egypt in search of food during a famine.
• Egypt experienced famine as a result of the ten plagues, leading to a food shortage for both the Israelites and Egyptians.

The Miracle of Manna

• During the Israelites' hunger, God rained down small flakes called manna, which could be collected, boiled, and baked into a substance like bread.

The Significance of the Ten Commandments

• The Ten Commandments summarize the Law of God found in the Torah.
• The Ten Commandments are part of the Sinai Covenant that God made with his Chosen People through Moses.
• The Ten Commandments teach us how to live in right relationship with God.

God's Sacred Name

• God's sacred, divine name, as revealed to Moses, is Yahweh.

The Israelites in the Wilderness

• During their time in the wilderness, God made a new covenant with the Israelites and gave them his Law.

Moses and the Israelites

• Moses respected the wisdom of his adopted grandson.

The Israelites in Egypt

• The Israelites, Jacob's descendants, came to Egypt in search of food during a famine.
• Egypt experienced famine as a result of the ten plagues, leading to a food shortage for both the Israelites and Egyptians.

The Miracle of Manna

• During the Israelites' hunger, God rained down small flakes called manna, which could be collected, boiled, and baked into a substance like bread.

The Significance of the Ten Commandments

• The Ten Commandments summarize the Law of God found in the Torah.
• The Ten Commandments are part of the Sinai Covenant that God made with his Chosen People through Moses.
• The Ten Commandments teach us how to live in right relationship with God.

God's Sacred Name

• God's sacred, divine name, as revealed to Moses, is Yahweh.

The Israelites in the Wilderness

• During their time in the wilderness, God made a new covenant with the Israelites and gave them his Law.

Israelites and God

• God is not the answer to the question "Who is the God of the Israelites?" - God is the God of the Israelites.
• During the Israelites' time in the wilderness, God drew the Israelites together as a family and gave them a new identity.

The Old Law and Jesus Christ

• The relationship between Jesus Christ and the Old Law cannot be described as Jesus Christ revoked and replaced the Old Law.

Canaan and God's Covenant

• Canaan is a sacred ground where God formed a covenant with his Chosen People.

The New Law

• The New Law is a law of grace because the Holy Spirit gives us the strength to live it out through faith and the Sacraments.
• The New Law is not about following strict rules, but about living a life of faith and grace.

The Wilderness and the Israelites

• During the Israelites' time in the wilderness, God brought the Israelites out of slavery and called them to a new land, the Promised Land.

Types of Governments

• A government or state headed by God is called a Theocracy.
• A government or state headed by a single person, like a king or queen, is called a Monarchy.

Biblical Figures

• Deborah was a strong, confident woman whom God commanded to launch a war against the Canaanites because they continued to attack Israel.
• Joshua was the strong leader who had served Moses as a trusted leader and was commissioned by God to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Beliefs and Systems

• Polytheism is a belief in many gods and goddesses.
• Prophets were the eleven men and one woman who served the Hebrew people as tribal leaders, military commanders, arbiters of disputes, and enliveners of faith.

Bible Trivia

Government and Leadership

• A monarchy is a government or state headed by a single person, such as a king or queen, and is also a biblical term referring to the period of Israelite independence.

Israelite Leaders

• Judges were the eleven men and one woman who served as tribal leaders, military commanders, arbiters of disputes, and enliveners of faith to the Hebrew people.

Kings of Israel

• King Solomon is remembered for building the Temple of the Lord, strengthening and modernizing the Israelite army, and creating trade alliances with other nations.

The Promised Land

• The land God promised to the children of Abraham is also called Canaan, or the Promised Land.

Leadership Characteristics

• Humble service to all God's people is a key characteristic of effective leadership, which involves recognizing the need for forgiveness and reconciliation and extending mercy and compassion to all in need.

The First King of Israel

• The first king of Israel, who tried to free the Israelites from their enemies, but disobeyed God's Law twice and failed to form a centralized nation, was Saul (not Solomon).

Prophets

• A prophet is someone chosen by God to communicate a message of salvation on his behalf.

God's Command to Ezekiel

• God commanded Ezekiel to eat the scroll to feed on His holy word, His righteous law.

Messianic Hope

• The Jewish belief and expectation that a savior would come to protect, unite, and lead Israel to freedom is called messianic hope.

Categorizing Prophetic Books

• Prophetic books can be categorized into two groups:
  • Prophets who called the people to repent, and
  • Prophets who only warned the people that God was angry.

The First King of Israel

• The first king of Israel, who tried to free the Israelites from their enemies, but disobeyed God's Law twice and failed to form a centralized nation, was Saul (not Solomon).

Prophets

• A prophet is someone chosen by God to communicate a message of salvation on his behalf.

God's Command to Ezekiel

• God commanded Ezekiel to eat the scroll to feed on His holy word, His righteous law.

Messianic Hope

• The Jewish belief and expectation that a savior would come to protect, unite, and lead Israel to freedom is called messianic hope.

Categorizing Prophetic Books

• Prophetic books can be categorized into two groups:
  • Prophets who called the people to repent, and
  • Prophets who only warned the people that God was angry.

Messianic Hope and Prophets

• Messianic hope refers to the belief in a future savior or deliverer who will bring redemption and salvation to the people of Israel.

Prophetic Divisions

• Prophets can be divided into two categories: those who lived before and during the Babylonian Exile, and those who lived during and after the Babylonian Exile.

God and Israel Metaphor

• The potter and clay metaphor represents God as the potter, and Israel as the clay object, symbolizing God's creative power and control over Israel.
• In this metaphor, Israel is not turning out as God had planned, implying a sense of disappointment and judgment.

Isaiah's Significance

• Isaiah is a significant prophet in the Hebrew Bible, known for his prophetic writings and visions.

The Incarnation

• The Incarnation refers to the Christian belief that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the divine and human nature of Jesus.

The Babylonian Exile and Prophecy

• The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple occurred at the hands of the Babylonians.
• Isaiah's "suffering servant" poems portray a servant of God who encounters great suffering but ends in glory.

Ezekiel's Vision

• In Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones, the dry bones symbolize the senseless, unjust lives of the Israelites, whom God wanted to hear and return to his Word.

Prophetic Messages

• The prophets communicated messages calling the people to repent and return to the covenant.
• They also communicated messages assuring the people that God had not abandoned them.
• Additionally, they shared messages of comfort and hope amidst despair and suffering.

Literary Techniques

• Personification is a literary technique that uses human characteristics to describe something that is nonhuman and often abstract.

Types of Psalms

• A Thanksgiving psalm is a type of psalm that thanks God for his amazing action in our lives.

Ecclesiastes

• The author of Ecclesiastes proclaims that God's ways are not ours, nor is his timeline ours.

The Babylonian Exile and Prophecy

• The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple occurred at the hands of the Babylonians.
• Isaiah's "suffering servant" poems portray a servant of God who encounters great suffering but ends in glory.

Ezekiel's Vision

• In Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones, the dry bones symbolize the senseless, unjust lives of the Israelites, whom God wanted to hear and return to his Word.

Prophetic Messages

• The prophets communicated messages calling the people to repent and return to the covenant.
• They also communicated messages assuring the people that God had not abandoned them.
• Additionally, they shared messages of comfort and hope amidst despair and suffering.

Literary Techniques

• Personification is a literary technique that uses human characteristics to describe something that is nonhuman and often abstract.

Types of Psalms

• A Thanksgiving psalm is a type of psalm that thanks God for his amazing action in our lives.

Ecclesiastes

• The author of Ecclesiastes proclaims that God's ways are not ours, nor is his timeline ours.

Psalms

• Psalms of Thanksgiving thank God for His amazing actions in our lives

Ecclesiastes

• The author of Ecclesiastes is Qoheleth
• Qoheleth proclaims that God's ways are not ours, nor is His timeline ours

Song of Songs

• The book depicts a relationship between a lover and beloved to symbolize the relationship between God and Israel or between Jesus and the Church

Book of Psalms

• The book is also known as the Psalter
• It sings about Israel's relationship with God

Book of Job

• The book recounts one human being's struggle to make sense out of what seems to be unnecessary and undeserved suffering

The Book of Psalms

• The Book of Psalms contains a collection of short poems and concise sayings that represent the insights from generations of Israelite history, similar to the Book of Proverbs.

Types of Psalms

• Laments are a type of psalm that cries out for God's intervention in difficult situations.

• Praise psalms extol God as Creator of the earth and author of history.

Other Wisdom Books

• The Book of Wisdom was written by an unknown Jewish leader to encourage the Jews to remain faithful to the wisdom revealed in their history and tradition.

• The Song of Songs depicts a relationship between a lover and beloved to symbolize the relationship between God and Israel, or between Jesus and the Church.

Psalm and Wisdom Literature

• Praise Psalms: a type of psalm that extols God as Creator of the earth and author of history.

Wisdom Books

• Song of Songs: a wisdom book that depicts a relationship between a lover and beloved to symbolize the relationship between God and Israel, or between Jesus and the Church.

Covenants

• Abrahamic Covenant: God's first covenant, promising Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky.

Wisdom Literature

• Book of Job: a wisdom book that recounts one human being's struggle to make sense out of what seems to be unnecessary and undeserved suffering.

Important Terms

• Passover: does not refer to Lament; instead, it refers to a significant event in biblical history (not specified in the provided text).

The Ten Commandments

• The Ten Commandments summarize the Law of God found in the Torah.
• They are relevant to both Jewish people and Christians, applying to all people.
• They are part of the Sinai Covenant that God made with his Chosen People through Moses.
• The Ten Commandments teach us how to live in a right relationship with God.

The Development of the Gospels

• The formation of the Gospels involves four stages: the life and teachings of Jesus, Oral Tradition, Written Tradition, and the Missionary Journeys of Saint Paul.
• Written Tradition is one of the stages in the formation of the Gospels.

The Meaning of "Kerygma"

• Kerygma is a Greek word that means "proclamation" or "preaching".
• It refers to the announcement of the Gospel or the Good News of divine salvation offered to all through Jesus Christ.
• Kerygma is not the same as Magnificat, Diakonia, or Fiat.

The Synoptic Gospels

• The Synoptic Gospels are a group of Gospels that share similar characteristics.
• Matthew, Mark, and Luke are considered Synoptic Gospels.
• The Gospel of John is not a Synoptic Gospel.

Written Tradition

• The Written Tradition refers to the synthesis in written form of the message of salvation that has been passed down by word of mouth, made possible under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Patriarchs

• Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are known as the Patriarchs.

Primeval History

• The accounts of Creation, together with the accounts of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the Flood, and the Tower of Babel, are called the Primeval History.
• The Primeval History refers to the time before the invention of writing and recording of historical data.

Genesis

• The book of Genesis explains our origins as people of faith.

Covenant

• Through Abraham, God chose to make his Covenant, a mutual promise and commitment by which he formed his people.

Creation

• The first account of Creation describes God's creative activity, structured as a seven-day week, and the second account describes the first man and woman.

Israel

• God changed Jacob's name to Israel, which means "God-wrestler," after Jacob spent a night wrestling with God's messenger.

Passover

• The Passover refers to the feast that celebrates the deliverance of the Chosen People from bondage in Egypt and the Exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land.

Pharaoh

• What finally convinced Pharaoh to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt was his son dying as part of the tenth plague, the deaths of all firstborn males.

Hebrew People

• The Hebrew people are descendants of Abraham and Sarah, also known as the Israelites after the Exodus.

Exegete

• A biblical exegete is someone who attempts to interpret the meaning of biblical texts.

Canon

• The Ecumenical Council of Trent declared an infallible definition regarding the Canon of Sacred Scripture, the collection of books that the Church recognizes as the inspired Word of God.

Literary Forms

• One way to study Sacred Scripture is to consider its Literary Forms, that is, different kinds of writing, determined by their literary technique, content, tone, and purpose.

Divine Inspiration

• Divine Inspiration refers to the divine assistance the Holy Spirit gave the authors of the books of the Bible so the authors could write in human words the message of salvation that God wanted to communicate.

Parousia

• We look forward to the Parousia, the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time, when God's plan will be realized and humanity will be glorified.

Manna

• When the people were hungry, God rained down little flakes that the people could collect and then boil to bake into a substance like bread, called manna.

Ten Commandments

• The Ten Commandments summarize the Law of God found in the Torah, are part of the Sinai Covenant that God made with his Chosen People through Moses, and teach us how to live in right relationship with God.

Yahweh

• God's sacred, divine name, as revealed to Moses, is Yahweh.

Israelites' Time in the Wilderness

• During the Israelites' time in the wilderness, God made a new covenant with the Israelites and gave them his Law.

Jesus Christ and the Old Law

• The relationship between Jesus Christ and the Old Law can be described as Jesus Christ fulfilling the Old Law.

Canaan

• Canaan is a sacred ground where God formed a covenant with his Chosen People.

The New Law

• The New Law is a law of grace because the Holy Spirit gives us the strength to live it out through faith and the Sacraments.

Theocracy

• A theocracy is a nation ruled by God.

Deborah

• Deborah was a strong, confident woman whom God commanded to launch a war against the Canaanites because they continued to attack Israel.

Polytheism

• Polytheism is the belief in many gods and goddesses.

Joshua

• Joshua was the strong leader who had served Moses as a trusted leader and was commissioned by God to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Prophets

• The prophets were the eleven men and one woman who served the Hebrew people as tribal leaders, military commanders, arbiters of disputes, and enliveners of faith.

Messianic Hope

• The Jewish belief and expectation that a savior would come to protect, unite, and lead Israel to freedom is called Messianic Hope.

Categorizing the Prophetic Books

• Another way to categorize the prophetic books is by the prophets who called the people to repent, and the prophets who only warned the people that God was angry.

Gospels and Their Purpose

• The synoptic Gospels are called so because they are similar in style and content.
• The Gospels are at the heart of all Scripture because Jesus Christ is at the heart of the Gospels.
• The Gospel writers decided to write down the Gospels for various reasons, including all of the above.

The Significance of Four Gospels

• The four Gospels were written to focus on different aspects of Jesus' life and teachings that were most meaningful to different Christian communities, with their unique concerns and challenges.
• This diversity of perspectives allowed for a richer understanding of Jesus' life and message.

Matthew's Gospel

• Matthew's Gospel portrays Jesus Christ as the Paschal Lamb.

Gospel Writers' Perspectives

• Gospel writers focused on aspects of Jesus' life and teachings that were most meaningful to different Christian communities, with their unique concerns and challenges.
• Each Gospel writer used different source material to share the Good News.

Jesus' Identity

• The Gospel writer who gave us an image of Jesus Christ as the Paschal Lamb is John.
• The theme of the Messianic secret is present in the Gospel of Mark, where disciples and others recognize Jesus' identity as the Messiah, but are directed not to tell anyone else.

Inspiration and Guidance

• The Gospel writers were guided or inspired by the Holy Spirit as they wrote down their Gospels.

Jesus' Ministry

• Much of Jesus' ministry and preaching was directed toward the plight of the Anawim, the Hebrew word for the poor and marginalized.

Canticle of Mary

• Mary sings of God's actions: lifting up the lowly, feeding the hungry, and sending the rich away empty in the Magnificat.

Teachings of Jesus

• The Beatitudes summarize the New Law of Christ, describing actions and attitudes leading to genuine happiness.

God's Plan for Salvation

• God's plan centers on redemption through the Paschal Mystery: Jesus' Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.

Baptism of Jesus

• Jesus' Baptism manifested his identity as the long-awaited Messiah of Israel and as the Son of God.

Discipleship

• Jesus modeled true Discipleship by willingly accepting suffering and death for our salvation.

Discipleship and Jesus' Ministry

• Jesus' willingness to accept suffering and death for humanity's salvation exemplifies the path of true discipleship.

The Law of Moses and Jesus' Mission

• Jesus did not come to abolish the Law of Moses, but to fulfill it according to the Gospel of Matthew.

Miracles and Jesus' Ministry

• The synoptic Gospels describe Jesus' extraordinary events, known as miracles, which demonstrated the presence and power of God.

The Purpose of the Gospel of John

• The Gospel of John was written to strengthen the faith of the local Christian community, as well as the faith of Christians everywhere.

John's Gospel

• Divided into two sections: Book of Signs and Book of Glory, emphasizing Jesus' miraculous signs and His glorification.
• Focus on Jesus' divinity: Contrasts with the synoptic gospels, which focus on Jesus' humanity.
• Last Supper significance: Jesus washing the disciples' feet emphasizes the importance of humility in discipleship.
• Jesus' self-title: Calls himself the Logos, or the Word, highlighting His connection to the Holy Trinity.
• Old Testament parallels: The "I am" sayings echo God's revelation to Moses in the burning bush.
• Revelation of God: Jesus' "I am" sayings parallel God's revelation to Moses, emphasizing His divine nature.
• Discipleship via humility: Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet demonstrates the importance of humility in following Him.
• Trinitarian connection: The title "Logos" or "the Word" connects Jesus to the Holy Trinity, highlighting His divine nature.

Jesus' "I am" Sayings in John's Gospel

• Jesus' "I am" sayings echo God's Revelation of himself and his name to Moses in the burning bush in the Old Testament.

Sacraments in John's Gospel

• Blood and water flowing from Jesus' side when pierced by a soldier point to the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Important Discourses in John's Gospel

• The Last Supper Discourse is an important discourse in John's Gospel.
• The Bread of Life Discourse is an important discourse in John's Gospel.

"Bread of Life" in John's Gospel

• The "Bread of Life" refers to both Jesus' Body and Jesus' Word.

Seven Signs in John's Gospel

• Jesus changing water into wine at Cana is one of the seven signs described by John.

Biblical Events

• Jesus performed several miracles, including multiplying loaves and fish to feed the five thousand and raising Lazarus to life.

Biblical Letters

• Catholic Letters are general letters written by Apostles or disciples of Jesus, providing a unique perspective on being authentic witnesses to Christ in a divided and disbelieving world.
• Pauline letters include 13 letters in the New Testament attributed to Paul or his disciples, offering a distinct perspective on Christianity.

Biblical Terms

• Apostates are people who once believed but have renounced their faith.
• Anawim refers to the poor or the humble, often used to describe the faithful in the Bible.
• Agnostics are people who do not know or believe in God's existence.

Biblical Events and Celebrations

• Pentecost is a feast that celebrates the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit to guide the Church.
• Ascension, Annunciation, and Easter are other significant events in the Bible, but Pentecost is specifically associated with the Holy Spirit's descent.

Biblical Literary Forms

• Apocalyptic literature is a literary form that uses dramatic events and symbolic language to offer hope to people in crisis.
• Parables and allegories are other forms of biblical literature, but apocalyptic literature is distinct in its style and purpose.

Analogies and Teachings

• Saint Paul used the analogy of the Body of Christ to teach that all people are essential members of the Church. This analogy is often related to Pentecost, which celebrates the Holy Spirit's guidance of the Church.

Literary Forms and Biblical Concepts

• Apocalyptic literature is a literary form that uses dramatic events and highly symbolic language as a means of secret communication to offer hope to people in crisis.

Biblical Analogies

• Saint Paul used the analogy of the Human Body to teach that all people are essential in the Body of Christ, and that when one part suffers, the whole body suffers.

Themes in Revelation

• The book of Revelation has three main themes: a renewed commitment to faith, a message of consolation, and a call to maintain hope.

Salvation and Good Works

• The Letter of James emphasizes the importance of both faith and good works for salvation.

Saint's Missionary Journeys

• Saint Paul embarked on three missionary journeys to bring the Light of Christ to all, starting from Pentecost.

The Gospels

• The Gospel of John was written by Saint John.
• The Gospels are at the heart of all Scripture because Jesus Christ is at the heart of the Gospels.
• The Gospels are not at the heart of Scripture because they were used by early Christians in their liturgies, describe events that happened exactly in the middle of salvation history, or appear in the middle of the Bible.

John's Gospel vs. Synoptic Gospels

• John's Gospel is different from the synoptic Gospels because it emphasizes the divinity of Jesus, whereas the synoptic Gospels emphasize his humanity.

The Pauline Letters

• The Pauline letters are thirteen letters in the New Testament that are attributed to Saint Paul or to disciples who wrote in his name.
• These letters are general letters, not specifically written to guide Saint Paul's missionary journeys.
• The Pauline letters complement other letters, providing a unique perspective on how to be authentic witnesses to Christ in a divided and disbelieving world.

The Quelle (Q Source)

• The Quelle, or Q Source, is a theoretical collection of ancient documents of the teachings of Jesus shared among the early followers of Christianity.
• Luke and Matthew probably compiled their Gospels using the Gospel of Mark, as well as the Quelle, or Q Source.

Gospel Writers and Inspirations

• The Quelle, or Q Source, is a theoretical collection of ancient documents of the teachings of Jesus shared among the early followers of Christianity.
• Luke and Matthew probably compiled their Gospels using the Gospel of Mark, as well as the Quelle, or Q Source.

Jesus' "I Am" Sayings

• In the Gospel of John, Jesus' "I am" sayings echo God's Revelation of himself and his name to Moses in the burning bush.

Inspiration Behind Gospel Writers

• The Gospel writers were guided or inspired by the Holy Spirit as they wrote down their Gospels.

Book of Consolation and Hope

• The book of Revelation frequently includes a renewed commitment to faith, a message of consolation, and a call to maintain hope in the midst of persecution.

Seven Signs in John's Gospel

• The disciples who wrote in his name are not one of the seven signs described by John.

Jesus' Baptism

• Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, who was his cousin.

Pentecost

• The feast of Pentecost celebrates the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit.

The Beatitudes

• The Beatitudes are teachings of Jesus that do not condemn those who are poor, but rather offer them blessings.
• The Beatitudes are characterized by Jesus' teachings on the blessedness of the poor, the meek, and the humble.

New Testament Letters

• Another name for a New Testament letter is an Epistle.

The Gospel of Mark

• The Gospel of Mark portrays the disciples and others as recognizing Jesus' identity as the Messiah through the theme of the Messianic secret.
• The Messianic secret refers to the theme in the Gospel of Mark where Jesus' identity as the Messiah is gradually revealed to the disciples and others.

The Gospel or Good News

• The Greek word "Kerygma" refers to the announcement of the Gospel or the Good News of divine salvation offered to all through Jesus Christ.
• Kerygma means "proclamation" or "preaching" in Greek.

Jesus' Identity and Ministry

• Jesus directed others not to reveal his identity as the Messiah, a concept known as the Messianic secret.
• This concept is related to Jesus' role as a suffering servant.

The Gospel and Preaching

• The Greek word "kerygma" refers to the proclamation or preaching of the Gospel, or the Good News of divine salvation offered to all through Jesus Christ.

Literary Forms in the Bible

• Apocalyptic literature uses dramatic events and highly symbolic language to offer hope to people in crisis.
• This literary form is distinct from parables, wisdom literature, and allegories.

The Body of Christ

• Saint Paul used the analogy of the human body to teach that all people are essential in the body of Christ.
• He emphasized that the body suffers when one of its parts, its people, is broken or cut off from the whole.

The Letter to the Hebrews

• The author of the Letter to the Hebrews was concerned that his audience had become apostates, or people who once believed but had renounced their faith.

John's Gospel

• The tradition and teachings of John's Gospel likely represent the whole community rather than just one individual, referred to as Johannine.

Jesus' Teaching Style

• Jesus taught in parables, which are short stories that use everyday images to communicate religious messages.

Gospel Writers

• The four Gospel writers are also called Evangelists.

Essay Question Guidelines

Part 1

• Choose two characters from the Bible that you consider heroic.
• Write about the characteristics these people embody, what they do to demonstrate the traits you are describing, and why, exactly, you consider them heroic.