AN INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPELS

SYLLABUS
WEEK 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPELS
WEEK 2: JESUS' BIOGRAPHY--BEFORE HIS MINISTRY
Birth
Readings: Luke 1-2:1-40; Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-23 John 1:1-18.
Galilee: Baptism
Readings: John 1:19-23, cf. Mal. 4; Deut. 18:15, Is. 40:6-11
WEEK 3: JESUS' BIOGRAPHY--THE EVENTS OF HIS MINISTRY
Calling of Disciples
Readings: Mark 1:1-20; 2:13-17
Miraculous Catch of Fish
Readings: Luke 5:1-11; John 21:1-6; Sending out the 12: Mark 3:13-19; cf. Luke 10:1-2
Nazareth Mark 6:1-6; Cana: Water into Wine John 2:1-11; cf. Temple and Jerusalem, John
2:12-22; Jerusalem again, John 7:10-15; Again: John 10:22-42
(Samaria)
Woman at the Well: John 4:1-26
Sermon on the Mount: Matt. 5-7;
Sermon on the Plain: Luke 6:20-49
Calming the Storm
Reading: Mark 4:35-41
Death of John the Baptist
Reading: Mark 6:17-29
Feeding the 5,000
Reading: Mark 6:30-44
Walking on Water
Reading: Mark 6:45-52
Goes to Tyre and Sidon
Reading: Mark 7:24
Caesarea Philippi
Reading: Mark 8:27; Peter's Confession: Mark 8:29-30
The transfiguration
Reading: Mark 9:2-10
(Jerusalem)
Lazarus: John 11:1-44
To Galilee
Reading: Mark 9:30;
To Capernaum
Reading: Mark 9:33
Sending the 72
Reading: Luke 10:1-16
Departure from Galilee
Readings: Mark 10:1; Luke 13:31-33; Lament over Jerusalem Luke 13:34-35

Jericho
Reading: Mark 10:46
Entrance into Jerusalem
Readings: Mark 11:1-11; 15-19; Luke 21:37-38
Clearing the Temple
Reading: Mark 11:12-18
Foot Washing
Reading: John 13:1-10
The Plot against Jesus
Reading: Mark14:1-2; 10-11
The anointing at Bethany
Readings: Mark 14:3-9; cf. Luke 7:36-50
WEEK 4: JESUS' BIOGRAPHY--THE TRIAL AND CRUCIFIXION
The Last Supper
The Last Supper: Readings: Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:35-38; Mark 14:26-15:1; cf. Exodus
24:9-11; Isaiah 25:6-8.
Death of Judas: Reading: Matt 27:3-10
The Trial: Readings: Mark 15:2-5; cf. Luke 23:2-16; Mark 15:6-15; John 19:1-16; Peter's
denial: John 18:15-18, 25-27.
The Crucifixion: Readings: Mark 15:16-46; cf. Matt27:33-61; Luke 25:33-56; cf. John
19:14; 19:31-34; Jesus' mother: John 19:25-27; against apocalypticism: John 19:28, 30;
John 19:16-37.
WEEK 5: JESUS' BIOGRAPHY--THE RESURRECTION
Readings: Mark 16:1-8 (here the oldest accounts of Mark end); Matt 28:1-20; Luke 24:153; other Markan accounts: Mark 16:9-20; John 20:1-22. Doubting Thomas: John20:2429.
WEEK 6: JESUS' MINISTRY--THE HEALINGS
Readings: On Sabbath Mark 3:1-6; John 5:1-18; Legion/pigs Mark 5:1-20; Centurion Matt
8:5-13; Sins/paralytic Matt 9:1-8; Dead girl and issue of blood: Matt 9:18-26.
WEEK 7: JESUS' MINISTRY--THE PARABLES
Good Samaritan Luke 10:29-37.
Prodigal Son: Luke 15:11-32.
Wise Steward: Luke 16:1-13.
Rich Man and Lazarus: Luke 16:19-31.
Talents: Matt 25:14-30.
Sheep and Goats: Matt 25:31-46.
Sower: Mark 4:1-20.

WEEK 8: JESUS' MINISTRY--THEOLOGICAL TOPICS

Apocalyptic Age/Kingdom: Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:16-22; Luke 9:59-62; Luke 12:49-56;
Luke 17:20-21.
Apocalypticism: Luke 17:22-37 cf. Mark 13:5-37; Mark 10:28-31; Matt 21:28-32.
Love: John 14:15-24; 15:9-17; for enemies: Matt 5:43-48; 2 great commands: Mark 12:2834.
Good Works/The Law: Clean/Unclean Food: Mark 7:1-23; Matt. 19:16-19; Law
accomplished: Matt 5:17-20; Eternal life: Luke 10:25-28; Lord of the Sabbath: Mark 2:2328; Bear Fruit: John 15:1-8.
Unitarian: John 10:25-30; 14:6-10.
Mystical Marriage: Mark 2:18-22; Luke 12:35-38; Matt 22:1-14 cf. Luke 14:15-24; 10
Maidens: Matt 25:1-13; Ephesians 5:22-32; Rev. 19:6-9; Rev. 21:1-2.
Marriage and divorce: Matt 5:31-32; Mark 10:2-12; celibacy: Matt 19:9-12; To the
Sadducees: Mark 12:18-27.
Forgiveness: Luke 7:36-50; Matt. 18:21-22; Matt 18:23-35; Luke 12:57-59; Mark 11:25;
Stoning the woman: John 8:3-11; Matt 5:23-26.
Prayer: Mark 11:24-25; Luke 11:1-8; Judge-widow: Luke 18:1-8.
Faith: Centurion's Servant: Luke 7:1-10; Luke 17:5-6; Mountain: Mark 11:22-24.
Humility: Luke 14:7-14; Pharisee and Tax Collector: Luke 18:9-14.
WEEK 9: JESUS' MINISTRY--SHORT SAYINGS
Save life/lose life: Mark 8:34-38.
Who is greatest: Mark 9:33-37; Mark 10:31; Luke 22:24-30; Mark 10:43-44.
Children: Mark 10:13-16; Matt. 11:25-26.
Harvest: Matt. 9:37-38.
Ask/Seek: Matt. 7:7-11.
A Kingdom Divided: Mark 3:22-26; Matt. 12:24-28.
Cleaning the House: Mark 3:27; Matt. 12:43-45.
Various: Luke 12:2-12.
Light under a bushel: Luke 11:33-36.
Care for the morrow: Luke 12:22-34.
Watchfulness: Luke 12:39-46.
Company of sinners: Luke 15:1-10; Matt 11:18-19.
Fig tree: Mark 11:12-14; 20-21.
Paying taxes: Mark 12:13-17.
Widow's mite: Mark 12:41-44.
Mystical union: John 15:5-7.
Old/New wine Mark 2:21-22; Luke 5:36-39.
Lost sheep: Luke 15:4-7.