IGNITE TEEN HANDOUT Week 15: February 26, 2017 Topic: The Gospel of John SET THE WORLD ABLAZE! John s gospel delves into to manifest God s glory through the transforming power of faith A symbol is a mark, sign, word, image, person, place, and/or event that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different concepts and experiences. Theological Reflection 1 P a g e Linking faith with life
Gospel the good news of the revelation of God in and through Jesus Christ, proclaimed initially by him, then by the Apostles, and now by the Church (CYB p. 1848) Matthew, Mark, Luke and John (CYB p. 1847) Narrative gospel - A narrative is a report of related events presented to the listeners or readers in words arranged in a logical sequence. The focus of a narrative gospel is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Matthew Mark and Luke are all narrative gospels. Non-canonical gospel gospels written but not included in the New Testament. After much discussion and debate the Church leadership ultimately decided what would be included and what would not be included. Many of these writings are still available to us under the name of apocryphal gospels. Signs gospel A collection of observable signs and Wonders (symbolic actions) carried out by Jesus that the evangelist presents to the listeners or readers as evidence of God s saving meant to bring believers to faith. Sayings gospel a collection of the sayings of Jesus. Scholars believe the Q source was a sayings gospel. Synoptic gospels The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke - these gospels can be "seen" or "read together," because of the many parallels that exist among the three. Oral Tradition the collection of the stories and teachings of Jesus handed on to us by eyewitnesses through word of mouth. As time went on, the Apostles and other eyewitnesses to the saving acts of Jesus were dying. People realized it was important to have a written record of the oral tradition. The written record became the Gospels as we know them. The Q source - scholars have identified that Matthew and Luke shared another source in addition to the Gospel of Mark. They call this source Q taken from the German word Quelle, meaning "source" Key ideas for this week Things to know about Gospels A gospel is an account describing the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth in order to communicate the Good News the revelation of God s love in and through Jesus Christ, proclaimed initially by Christ, then by the Apostles, and now by the Church A Gospel is NOT a biography in the modern sense of this word; a gospel is a testimony of faith an account of how a person or community of persons experienced Jesus as the Son of God in their lives. The Gospel according to John is quite different in character from the synoptic gospels. a. It is highly literary and symbolic b. It does not follow the same order or reproduce the same stories as the synoptic gospels. c. it is the product of a developed theological reflection and grows out of a different circle and tradition. John s Gospel is known as a signs gospel. Unique elements in the Gospel of John a. John presents no parables and relatively few stories of healings b. John presents eight signs to show Jesus' divinity beginning with the changing of water to wine at Cana and ending with the greatest of the signs his death and resurrection c. John presents seven "I AM" sayings in which Jesus declares his divinity and that he is the Messiah God, today we lift up those who are fighting disease, whether in mind or body. When they want to give up, give them fresh strength and courage. Comfort them in times of pain, give them peace in times of fear and bless them with your healing touch. In Jesus name, Amen. 2 P a g e
GOSPEL CHALLENGE Instructions 1. Complete this quiz as a group 2. You can use your Bible and your Teen Handouts from prior sessions 3. The group with the most correct answers wins 1. The four evangelists in the New Testament are 2. The word synoptic means a. Exactly alike c. Can be "seen" or "read together," e. Both b and c b. Similar d. Limited in scope f. None of the above 3. The handing on of the accounts and teachings of Jesus by eyewitnesses through word of mouth is referred to as the. 4. The first gospel to be written was. 5. The last gospel to be written was. 6. An is anyone who actively works to spread the Gospel of Jesus. 7. The synoptic gospel which contains the most original material is. 8. According to the article The Four Faces of Jesus which evangelist portrays Jesus as a Teacher? _ 9. Which evangelist portrays Jesus as harried, hurried and human? 10. Which of the synoptic evangelist writes to a Jewish audience? 11. The evangelist who portrays Jesus as noble, majestic and divine is 12. Scholars have identified that Matthew and Luke shared another source in addition to the Gospel of Mark they refer to as 13. Which of the following statements is FALSE a. A gospel is an account describing the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth b. A gospel is a biography in the modern sense c. A gospel is a testimony of faith d. A gospel is the revelation of God s love in and through Jesus Christ, proclaimed initially by Christ, then by the Apostles, and now by the Church 14. Which of the following are reasons given for why we have four gospels a. To give a more complete picture of Christ b. Each evangelist was aware of those facets of Jesus personality, teachings and deeds that would draw his community into deeper faith c. Having more than one account allows us to objectively verify the truthfulness of their accounts 15. The only gospel in which the story of Judas suicide is recorded is _ 16. Which of the synoptic gospels does NOT begin with the story of Jesus birth? 17. The Gospel of emphasizes Jesus healing ministry. 18. The changing of water to wine at the wedding of Cana is only recorded in gospel. BONUS QUESTION: What does the name Theophilus mean? 3 P a g e
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Symbolic Events John 5: 1-9 Cure of the Lame Man What is the Sheep Gate? What is near the Sheep Gate? What does the lame man want from Jesus? What did Jesus do for this man? Now let s look at the symbolic meaning of the story Who does the lame man represent? What is Jesus willing to do for us? What do we have to do? Who does Jesus represent in this story? Keep thinking about Jesus as a gate, a point of access What else might Jesus be the point of access for in our lives? The thing I liked best about this week was This week I learned I wish I knew more about Before our next session I will to put my faith into action. This week I was most inspired by because 5 P a g e