The Gospels and Acts

Question 1

Matthew

Answer 1

• Author/Purpose: Matthew in the late 60’s to show Jesus as Jewish Messiah
• Theme: Jesus is the promised king come to save sinners
• Outline:
o The Arrival of King Jesus (1-4:16)
 Ch. 1: Genealogy and Announcement
 Ch. 2: Fulfillments
 Ch. 3: John the Baptist
 Ch. 4: Temptations
o The Proclamation of King Jesus (4:17-16:20)
 Ch. 4: Beginnings – Kingdom, Disciples, Miracles
 Discourse 1: Sermon on the Mount/Kingdom Ethics (Ch. 5-7)
 Ch. 8-9: Power Demonstrated
 Discourse 2: The Mission of the Disciples (Ch. 10)
 Ch. 11-12: Opposition Increases
 Discourse 3:Kingdom Parables (Ch. 13)
 Ch. 13-16: The Messiah Revealed
o The Passion of King Jesus (16:21-28)
 Ch. 16-17: The Messiah will suffer
 Discourse 4: The Community of the Messiah (Ch. 18-20)
 Ch. 21-23: Triumphal Entry and Expression of Authority
 Discourse 5: Olivet Discourse/Jesus’ Return (Ch. 24-25)
 Ch. 26-28: Betrayal, Crucifixion, and Resurrection

Question 2

Mark

Answer 2

• Author/Purpose: Mark written to Gentiles as a defense against the shame of the cross (Mid to late 50s)
• Theme: The Kingdom by way of the Cross; Kingship and victory through service and suffering
• Outline:
o The King Revealed (1-8:21)
 Summary and Teaching Round 1 (1:14-3:6)
 Summary and Teaching Round 2 (3:7-6:6a)
 Summary and Teaching Round 3 (6:6b-8:21)
o His Kingdom Defined (8:22-10:52)
• Healing the Blind (8:22-26)
 Peter’s confession (8:27-30)
 Death and Discipleship #1 (8:31-38)
• Stories: Transfiguration and boy with demon
 Death and Discipleship #2 (9:30-37)
• Stories: Children, divorce, and the rich man
 Death and Discipleship #3 (10:32-45)
• Healing the Blind (10:46-52)
o The King Enthroned (11-16)
 The King’s arrival (11-13)
 The King’s victory (14-16)

Question 3

Luke

Answer 3

• Author/Purpose: Luke written to Theophilus to create an order account (62 AD)
• Theme: The inclusive nature of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• Outline:
o Christian Beginnings (1-4:13)
o Jesus in Galilee (4:14-9:50)
o Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem (9:51-19:44)
o Jesus in Jerusalem (19:45-21:38)
o The Passion (22-24)

Question 4

John

Answer 4

• Author/Purpose: John (85 AD)
• Theme: Jesus is the Son of God and life comes in him
• Outline:
o Introduction (1)
o Jesus discloses himself through signs (2-10)
 Jesus and the Jewish Institutions (2-4)
 Jesus and the Jewish Festivals (5-10)
o Transition: Resurrection and Triumphal Entry (11-12)
o Jesus discloses himself through passion (13-20)
 Prayer and Instruction for the new community (13-17)
 Trial, death, and resurrection (18-20)
o Conclusion (21)

Question 5

Acts

Answer 5

• Author/Purpose: Luke writing to Theophilus to create an orderly account. (Part 2 of Luke)(63 AD)
• Theme: The Spirit empowered spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to Samaria to the nations
• Outline:
o Introduction (1)
o The Witness in Jerusalem (2-7)
o The Witness to Judea and Samaria (8-12)
o Paul’s Missionary Journeys (13-20)
o Paul’s Witness to Rome (21-28)