Lesson 6: The Gospels: The Stories of Jesus PDF

Lesson 6: The Gospels: The Stories of Jesus Objectives: identify what are the gospels and explain how are the gospels “good news”; enumerate ways on how one can help in building God’s Kingdom; solemnly pray to God to guide the Church in accepting and living out His message of lo...

Lesson 6: The Gospels: The Stories of Jesus Objectives: identify what are the gospels and explain how are the gospels “good news”; enumerate ways on how one can help in building God’s Kingdom; solemnly pray to God to guide the Church in accepting and living out His message of love to all. The parable tells us to be like the ‘rich soil’ in which God’s Word will grow. Jesus wants us to listen to His stories, and learn from them with discernment to understand.  The God’s message through the Gospels, it calls us to put our learnings into action, practicing the good news in our daily lives. Decoding Faith Words: Parable - a usually short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious teaching. Gospel - comes from the old English word God-spell, which means “good news” and the Greek word “Evangelion” which means “good message”. Decoding Faith Words: Biblical Inspiration - refers to the Holy Spirit’s divine activity of superintending the authors, editors, and compilers of the Bible that allowed them to use their own personalities and writing styles to communicate and compile without errors to God’s revelation to humankind. Kerygma - a Greek word that means “proclamation”. THE FOUR GOSPELS and their AUTHORS: Matthew - a former tax collector; an Apostle of Jesus Mark - a follower of Peter and so an "apostolic man" Luke - a doctor; who also wrote the book: Acts of the Apostles; a close friend of Paul of Tarsus, so an "apostolic man" John – called the ‘beloved disciple’ of Jesus, the youngest among the twelve Apostles. WHAT CAN WE READ IN THE GOSPELS? There are stories of Jesus – His birth, childhood, family, public ministry, passion, death, and resurrection. These stories are not meant to be historical accounts of His life but to make us understand and appreciate the extent of His love for us - a love that led to His death on the Cross. STAGES OF GOSPEL FORMATION (CCC 126) 1. The Life and Teaching of Jesus (1-30 CE) - His whole life: from being born, to teaching, until his ascension. 2. Oral Tradition (30-64 CE) - After Jesus’ Ascension, the apostles handed on to their hearers what Jesus had said and done. 3. The Written Gospels (65-100 CE) - the four written versions of the Good News of Jesus namely, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG TO WRITE THE GOSPELS? - They preferred the spoken “living” word. - They did not see the need to record the facts about Jesus’ life, because the original witnesses are still alive and continue to teach others about the Life of Christ. - The teachings are still well-known in their community. - The early Christians expected the Risen Christ to come back soon. WHAT MADE THEM WRITE THE GOSPELS? - The Apostles and the original witnesses were dying or being martyred. - The Good News was being preached to people farther and farther away from Jerusalem. - They realized that the “Second Coming” was not as soon as they had expected. Why do we have Four Gospels and not one? The Four Gospels give us a clearer and more complete picture of who Jesus is. It helped that these four witnessed the life of Christ, but had a unique observation of who Jesus is. This is why they interpreted His life through different writing styles that are relevant or more meaningful to different kinds of audiences. SYNOPTIC GOSPELS (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) Synoptic - from Greek words “syn” and “optic” which when combined means “to see together.” - Their interpretation has similarities and thus can be studied together. THE GOSPEL OF JOHN - Is not part of the synoptic gospels because it gives a different point of view about Jesus. It also contains accounts that are not found in the synoptic Gospels. THE GOSPEL STORIES OF JESUS GOSPEL GOSPEL GOSPEL GOSPEL 1ST AUTHORS PORTRAITS SYMBOLS AUDIENCE CHAPTER “Jesus as MATTHEW Messiah and Jewish (Synoptic) King” Christians Genealogy of -stressed the (Recognized (Messiah- Jesus importance of and King that had (His human being formed proclaimed as MAN been promised Bloodline) into a Church. the Anointed to them) One.) THE GOSPEL STORIES OF JESUS GOSPEL GOSPEL GOSPEL GOSPEL 1ST AUTHORS PORTRAITS SYMBOLS AUDIENCE CHAPTER MARK (Synoptic) “Jesus as the Gentiles -shortest of suffering (Probably The Preaching the Gospels. Messiah” Romans of John the -focuses on (To console because of the Baptist at the DESERT the adult the suffering persecution of Desert LION ministry of Christians) Christians) Jesus. THE GOSPEL STORIES OF JESUS GOSPEL GOSPEL GOSPEL GOSPEL 1ST AUTHORS PORTRAITS SYMBOLS AUDIENCE CHAPTER LUKE Gentile (Synoptic) Community “Jesus as Zechariah -adds new (To show Savior of the offering a material Christ as a World” sacrifice to relating to the savior not (Jesus was the God in the birth and OX only to Savior of all) Temple resurrection of believers but Jesus. to all) THE GOSPEL STORIES OF JESUS GOSPEL GOSPEL GOSPEL GOSPEL 1ST AUTHORS PORTRAITS SYMBOLS AUDIENCE CHAPTER “Jesus is the Son of God” JOHN (Jesus is not New -shares the depicted as a The Prologue Christians and divine beaten, (The ‘Word’ is tormented those seeking portrayal of Jesus) victim but as a EAGLE faith Jesus. glorified King) CFC 82 The scriptures are never to be separated from the people of God whose life and history (Tradition) formed the context of their writing and development. This is best shown in the three stages of how the Gospels were formed. REFLECTION ACTIVITY Lesson’s Challenge: The Gospel narrates the life and teachings of Jesus and about the coming of God’s Kingdom of love, peace, and justice where we can welcome everyone to be a part of God’s family despite our diversities. Lesson’s Challenge: The Trinity brings salvation to all of Humanity. Jesus inspires and invites us to accept and live the gospel’s message of love which is proclaimed and explained in the Holy Mass. REFLECTION ACTIVITY  Almighty Father, we thank you for your stories, your Word, that gives us life and continues to nourish us. Send us the Holy Spirit every day so that we may nurture your Word in our hearts and joyfully do your will. This we ask through Christ, our Lord, Closing Prayer Amen. Lesson 6: The Gospels: The Stories of Jesus