The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ Class Book 1 Johnson Avenue church of Christ By: John McConnaughy
Lesson 1 Preparing for Jesus Arrival Luke 1:11-56 1:11-25: Angel Announces Birth of John the Baptist 1. What was the purpose of John the Baptist? 1:26-38: Christ s Birth Announced 2. Why was Mary troubled by the Angel s greeting? 3. Why a virgin birth? 4. Explain Mary s reaction to the news: 1: 39-56: Mary visits Elizabeth 5. Why would Mary hurry to see Elizabeth? 6. Explain what happens to Elizabeth: 7. What can we learn about Mary from her song?
2:1-7: Birth of Jesus (Also John 7:42) Lesson 2 Jesus Birth Luke 2:1-35 1. Why was such a specific series of events spelled out? 2. What is the purpose of giving the location of the Birth? 2:8-20: Angels announce Jesus to shepherds 3. Why announce such an important event to shepherds? 4. What do you think about their reaction? 5. What does verse 19 teach us about Mary? 2:21-35: Christ is Circumcised 6. Why was Christ forced to follow Old Testament Law?
Lesson 3 The Start of Jesus Ministry Mark 1:9-45 1:9-13: Baptism and temptation of Jesus Questions for class discussion 1. God says well pleased so why did he send Jesus to the desert? 2. Did Satan really have the means to tempt Jesus? 3. What would it have meant if Christ had failed the temptation? 1:16-20: Calling first disciples Questions for class discussion 4. Why do you think Jesus picked common men? 1:21-45: Jesus miracles begin 5. What can you learn about Jesus character in these verses? 6. Why start with miracles instead of preaching? 7. Why include healing of Peter s mother-in-law? 8. What can we learn from Jesus prayer life here?
Lesson 4 A Day in the Life of Jesus Mark 9:2-50 9:2-13: The Transfiguration (also Matthew 16:28-17:3; Luke 9:27-36) 1. What do you think Peter, James, and John were thinking? 2. Why was there secrecy about this event? 3. Why were the Old Testament figures at the transfiguration, and what do they represent? 9:14-29: Demon possessed son is delivered (also Matthew 17:14-21; Luke 9:27-42) 4. Why would the father believe the disciples could cure his son? 5. Reading Jesus response, what do you believe he was thinking? 9:33-37: Who is the greatest? 6. Why would such an argument take place? 7. How do we avoid similar situations? 9:42-50: Causing to sin 8. Does this represent a physical cutting off? 9. What type of things do we need to cut off?
Lesson 5 Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5 & 6 5:1-16: The Beatitudes (Latin = happy) 1. How do these things bring happiness? 2. What is the common link in all of these things? 5:17-48 Clearing things up 3. How can our attitudes affect our salvation? 4. How should we react to being mistreated by others? 5. How should we treat those who react poorly to being mistreated? 6:1-15: Giving and prayer 6. What can we learn about giving? (Including our time) 7. What are these verses telling us about our prayers? 6:16-34: Fasting and money 8. How are we to do our acts of service? 9. How do we not worry about life?
Lesson 6 Some Parables of Jesus Luke 15:1-32; Luke 16:19-31 15:1-10: Parable of the Lost Sheep (Also Matthew 18:12-14) 1. Why do you think Pharisees and Scribes are against Jesus? 2. What does this parable teach us about the value of one soul? 15:11-32: Parable of the Lost Son 3. What parallels can be made between this parable and our relationship with God? 4. Why is it hard for us to rejoice over what seems like unfair situations? 5. How are we like the older brother? The younger brother? 16:19-31: Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus 6. What does Lazarus teach us about the things we have in this life? 7. What does this say about how we should talk to our families? 8. What does this story tell us about our eternal destiny?
3:1-21: Jesus teaches Nicodemus Lesson 7 Conversations with Jesus John 3:1-36, 4:4-26 1. Why would Nicodemus come at night? 2. Explain Jesus message: 3. Why would John be the only one to record a Pharisee coming to Jesus? 3:22-36: John the Baptist witnesses Christ 4. What do John s words say about what he thinks of his cousin? 5. How can we determine how John s words affected his followers? 4:4-26: Jesus and the Samaritan Woman 6. How does Jesus reveal his power? 7. What does Jesus reveal about the New Covenant?
14:1-4: Jesus Comforts Disciples Lesson 8 Jesus Final Instructions John 14 1. How can we draw comfort from Jesus words? 2. How do we have a clearer picture than His disciples did? 3. What has Christ told His disciples about His Father s house? 14:5-14: Jesus is the Way to the Father 4. What is Jesus proclaiming here? 5. What does Jesus promise to give those who have faith? 14:15-31: Jesus promises the Holy Spirit 6. What is the Holy Spirit? 7. How does Jesus limit who will receive the Holy Spirit? 8. What do we expect from the Holy Spirit?
17:1-5: Jesus prays for Himself Lesson 9 Jesus Prays John 17:1-26 1. Why would Jesus make this prayer public? 2. How does Jesus claim His deity here? 3. Can we pray for ourselves in the same way? 17:6-19: Jesus prays for His disciples 4. How will the disciples be tested in the world? 5. How do you imagine the disciples took this message? 17:19-26: Jesus prays for believers 6. What has Jesus said in all three prayers? 7. How do you see this prayer as a means to draw strength from?
Lesson 10 Betrayal and Arrest Matthew 26:1-5. 36-56 26:1-5: Plot to kill Jesus 1. How could the disciples react to this news? 2. Why give us the High Priest s name? 26:36-46: Jesus three prayer (also Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46) 3. Why do you think Jesus gave excuses for his disciples? 4. What other time did Jesus separate Peter, James, and John? 5. How would you have reacted to this situation? 26:47-56: Jesus arrest 6. Why was Judas required to give them a sign? 7. How would Jesus words have affected you if you were present?
Lesson 11 Jesus Execution Matthew 27 27:1-25: Jesus is delivered 1. Could Judas have found forgiveness for sins? 2. Why do you think Pilate was impressed with Jesus? 3. Do we sometimes find ourselves just following the crowd? 4. Can we absolve ourselves from actions by others that we could control? 27:26-44: The Crucifixion 5. Why do you think the soldiers are so cruel? 6. Why do you think Jesus put up with this? 27:45-46 Jesus Dies 7. If you would have been with the multitude, how would you feel now? 8. How can the Chief Priests and Pharisees still not see that Jesus is the Son of God?
Lesson 12 Resurrection (Part 1) John 20:1-29; Luke 24:13-32 John 20:1-10: The Empty Tomb (also Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12) 1. Should Peter had John have assessed the situation better? 2. What were the disciples thinking? (see verse 10) John 20:11-29: Jesus appears to the disciples Record your observations 3. Explain Mary s reaction to the angels and seeing the Lord: 4. How can we apply verse 21 to our daily walk with God? 5. Can you relate to Thomas skepticism? Luke 24:13-32: Jesus on the road to Emmaus 6. Why such a small scale revealing? 7. Why would these two men risk telling a stranger the story of Jesus?
Lesson 13 Resurrection (Part 2) Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:3-11 Luke 24:44-53: Disciples given final words 1. Why not open their understanding of the scriptures before Jesus death and resurrection? 2. Why is it important that they were firsthand witnesses of Christ? 3. Do you see a sense of completion in the disciple s actions? Acts 1:3-11: Jesus taken to heaven 4. Why keep them in Jerusalem? 5. What can we learn from the fact that the disciples had still not understood the New Kingdom? 6. What actions do we need to take based on Christ s ascension and promised return?