Synoptic Gospels
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Why was Jesus baptized if he did not need repentance? Examine Matthew 3, John’s ministry, and Jesus’ identification with Israel’s calling.
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How would our picture of Jesus change without John’s Gospel? Compare John with Matthew, Mark, and Luke while respecting each Gospel’s witness.
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Who wrote the Gospels? Explore authorship, ancient testimony, oral tradition, and the difference between what the evidence shows and what we infer.
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How should we read Luke as a historical writer? Consider ancient historiography, narrative purpose, and the evidence behind judgments about Luke and Acts.
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Explore the calling of Levi within Jesus’ ministry, considering tax collectors, table fellowship, and the public implications of becoming a disciple.
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Read Jesus’ acts of forgiveness against their social and religious setting, considering authority, access, and the reactions of those around him.
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Why did Jesus eat with sinners? Explore table fellowship, social boundaries, repentance, and the kingdom setting of these Gospel encounters.
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Explore Jesus’ Sabbath healings in their Gospel settings, focusing on mercy, restoration, and disputes about what faithfulness to God’s law required.
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Explore why repentance belongs within Jesus’ call to follow, and how changed direction, conduct, and allegiance relate to understanding his teaching.
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What did Jesus ask when he said follow me? Explore the concrete demands of discipleship beyond assent, admiration, or occasional religious participation.
