Course Name: [ New Testament Survey ] Lesson One: [ Getting to Know the New Testament ]

Transcription

1 Course Name: [ New Testament Survey ] Lesson One: [ Getting to Know the New Testament ] As followers of Jesus, we need to understand what the Bible teaches us about Him. In the New Testament, we are introduced to Christ in a very personal way so we can learn to trust and walk with Him as our Lord and Savior. Let s look at the big picture of how these 27 books reveal Jesus to us and teach us how to live by faith in Him. 1. The New Testament is about a new covenant The word testament refers to a binding covenant agreement between God and His people. Jesus declared to HIs disciples at the Last Supper that He was establishing a new covenant based on the blood He would pour out for them on the cross. Luke 22:20 (NIV) In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. This new covenant would fulfill a wonderful promise God announced through the prophet Jeremiah more than 500 years before the coming of Christ. Jeremiah 31:31-34 (NIV) The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, declares the Lord. 33 This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, Know the Lord, because they will all know me, from the least of them to

2 the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. God made important covenants with Israel in the Old Testament through Abraham, Moses and David. But it was through Jesus death on the cross and resurrection from the dead that He established the most important and eternal covenant with all who would believe in Him. Hebrews 8:6 (NLT) But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises. The New Testament writings tell us about this new covenant in Christ and its application to our lives as we follow Him. 2. The New Testament is good news It s always refreshing and encouraging to hear good news. At the heart of the New Testament is the best Good News of all the gospel message Mark gives us a summary of this message as Jesus announced it: Mark 1:14-15 (NLT) Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God s Good News. 15 The time promised by God has come at last he announced. The Kingdom of God is near Repent of your sins and believe the Good News Notice several key elements of the gospel and the heart of the New Testament in these verses: God s timing. Jesus declared that the time God promised had arrived. The Old Testament and its prophecies pointed ahead to this time of the New Testament when God would send the Messiah, His Son, to fulfill His purposes and redeem His people. Matthew 5:17 (NLT) Don t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. Galatians 4:4-5 (GNT) But when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son. He came as the son of a human mother and lived under the Jewish Law, 5 to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might become God's children. Hebrews 1:1-2a (NLT) In In the past God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. Pastor Dale O Shields // Getting to Know the New Testament // Page 2

3 God s Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is a central theme in the New Testament, as it is in the Old Testament. The difference is that Jesus the Messiah brought God s rule and reign His Kingdom in a new and personal way to Israel and the world. Wherever Jesus was present, He could assure people that the Kingdom of God is already among you (Luke 17:21b, NLT). He is King and Lord of all God s call for a response. We must respond to this message by repenting of our sins and believing the Good News about Jesus as Lord and Savior. When we do this, we are brought into Christ s Kingdom through the forgiveness He purchased for us on the cross. Acts 20:21 (NIV) I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV) For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. 3. The good news of the New Testament changes us The New Testament books were written by ordinary men who had been changed by Jesus: Apostles who walked with Christ in His earthly ministry (Matthew, John and Peter) Men who were closely associated with the apostles (Mark and Luke) Two of Jesus half-brothers (James and Jude) Paul, who was called to be an apostle through a miraculous encounter with the risen Lord We can learn so much from their first-hand experiences and the truth about Christ and His church revealed by the Holy Spirit. This truth can change us as it changed them There are a number of specific purposes for our overview of the New Testament. Through this study we will: Gain a greater understanding of each New Testament book and its practical application for us. Pastor Dale O Shields // Getting to Know the New Testament // Page 3

4 Realize more about who Jesus is and the work He accomplished for us. Appreciate how the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament. See how the early history and purposes of the church in God s plan unfold in the New Testament and impact the church today. Learn how to live more fruitfully as Christ s disciples through the example and teachings of Jesus and His first disciples. We will survey the New Testament writings in the following categories: The Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John give us four presentations of the Good News about Jesus the Messiah. Each one describes His life and ministry in a unique way and concludes by proclaiming the power of His saving death and resurrection. The Book of Acts Luke also wrote this account of the church s birth and the work of the Holy Spirit as the gospel spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8) after Jesus resurrection. Paul s Letters The thirteen letters written by the Apostle Paul make up more than thirty percent of the New Testament content and give us great insight into the person and work of Jesus, our salvation and new life in Christ, and God s purposes for His church. The General Letters Unlike Paul s letters, these were not written to specific churches but address a wide range of Christians, many of them suffering for their faith in Jesus, and a variety of important truths about what it means to live for Him. The Book of Revelation John wrote this prophetic book out of the revelation He received from the Lord concerning the glory of Jesus Christ, the circumstances surrounding His second coming and the triumph of His Kingdom in the end times. As we dig in to these books, let s open our hearts in a fresh way to the message of the New Testament and let God transform us by His truth Pastor Dale O Shields // Getting to Know the New Testament // Page 4

5 Small Group Discussion Guide Getting Started Why is it important for us as disciples of Jesus to study the New Testament? Talking It Over Read Mark 1: What did Jesus mean when he proclaimed in verse 15 that the time promised by God has come at last? What time was He referring to? What is the difference between the Kingdom of God in the Old Testament and in the life and ministry of Jesus? What response does the New Testament call us to? What benefits do we enjoy when we respond this way? What is the new covenant Jesus announced in Luke 22:20? What does it mean for us as Christian believers and how should it make a difference in our lives? Putting the Word to Work Do you know the 27 books of the New Testament? This would be a great time to learn their names as we begin our survey. Write out the name of each book and group the names under the five categories we will study (Gospels, Acts, Paul s Letters, General Letters, Revelation) to help you remember them better. Then commit to reciting them consistently throughout our study until you have them memorized. You ll be glad you did Memorizing the Word Luke 22:20 (NIV) In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Pastor Dale O Shields // Getting to Know the New Testament // Page 5