The Life of Christ Notes

Click/tap to download the handout John chapters 19 and 20 chronicle the most important three days in the history of the world: the days of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. This lesson will focus on his death and burial. JESUS IS SENTENCED (19:1-16) Jesus is subjected to a Roman flogging (1). In addition, soldiers placed a crown of thorns on his head while they mocked him (2-3). Knowing that Jesus had done nothing worthy of this treatment, Pilate sought to…

Click/tap to download the handout Throughout the gospel accounts, the writers have called attention to the growing tension between belief and unbelief among the people. While the Lord is generally popular among the common people (Mark 12:37), the hatred of the religious leadership grows. That tension reaches its apex as Judas leads officers to Jesus that they might arrest, try, and execute him. We will focus primarily on John’s account of the arrest and the beginning of the trial (John…

Click/tap to download the handout In Mark 2:1-12, Jesus forgives and heals a paralytic man. In Mark’s gospel, this miracle marks a transition point. It is the LAST of the miracles in the section that focused on the authority of Jesus. But this miracle is also the FIRST of five events that show the growing opposition of the Jewish leadership. Let’s consider this memorable miracle. THE MAN’S CONDITION (2:1-4) Having been preaching in the outlying regions of Galilee (1:38-39, 45),…

Click/tap to download the handout In the last lesson we offered some general information about the miracles of Jesus: their nature, characteristics, and purposes. This lesson will highlight two miracles: one that is found in all four gospel accounts, and one that is found in three of four. THE FEEDING OF THE MULTITUDE (JOHN 6:1-15) This miracle is unique in the New Testament because it is the only one of Jesus’ miracles that is recorded in all four gospel accounts…

Click/tap to download the handout With this lesson, we shift our focus from the Lord’s teaching to his miracles. There are 104 accounts of Jesus performing 37 miracles in the four gospels. This represents only a fraction of the total (John 20:30-31; 21:25). Before we consider some of the miracles individually, let us consider some general information. THE NATURE OF THE LORD’S MIRACLES There are four words in the New Testament that denote the miraculous work of Jesus. These words…

Click/tap to download the handout Thus far, our study of the teaching of Jesus has focused on his authority, his methods, and the effects of his teaching. With this lesson we will focus on some of the content of his teaching. When we analyze the content of the Lord’s teaching, here are some of the things that we discover. JESUS ANNOUNCED THE KINGDOM Mark 1:14-15 – Jesus came to Galilee “proclaiming the gospel of God,” which consisted of these points:…

Click/tap to download the handout The parable, called by D. R. Dungan “the oldest and most common of all the figures of speech” and comprising about one-third of the Lord’s recorded teaching, has stood the test of time as one of His most effective and memorable methods of instruction. This lesson will explore the parable as one of the major techniques of Jesus’ teaching. WHAT IS A PARABLE? The English word “parable” derives from a compound Greek word that means…

Click/tap to download the handout The teaching of Jesus was shaped by and rooted in scripture. His words were often punctuated with “It is written…” and “Have you not read…” This lesson will focus on the Lord’s attitude toward God’s word. THE ATTITUDE OF THE PHARISEES Symbolism Over Substance The Pharisees emphasized external religiosity and devalued internal spirituality. They did many things that symbolized holiness, but they lacked true devotion (Matt. 23:23-28). Loopholes Over Law Though they verbalized a deep…

Click/tap to download the handout Until now we have taken a chronological approach to the life of Jesus. For the next several lessons, we will take more of a topical approach, analyzing his teaching, miracles, and some major events. Near the end of our study, we will go back to a chronological approach as we study the Lord’s last days on earth. JOHN 7:46 Just a few months before his death, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles,…

Click/tap to download the handout With this lesson we consider the forty-day period immediately following the baptism of Jesus in which he experienced intense temptation. The event is recorded in Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13. THE DETAILS The Setting Following his baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Matt. 4:1). This is probably the Judean wilderness not far from the Jordan River where he had been baptized. Mark 1:12 says the Spirit “drove” him there.…

Click/tap to download the handout With this lesson we consider the momentous event that launched the three-year public ministry of Jesus – his baptism. Some events of Jesus’ life are recorded by only one gospel writer. But this one (and a few others) is recorded by all four – adding, no doubt, to its significance. From this event arise several significant questions. Let’s consider some of them. THE DETAILS The details of Jesus’ baptism are recorded in Matthew 3:13-17, Mark…

Click/tap to download the handout Paul wrote that Jesus appeared on the scene of history “in the fullness of time” (Gal. 4:4), that is, when the time was right. The life and work of Jesus happened on God’s perfect schedule (Acts 2:23). It was customary in those days for the arrival of kings and dignitaries to be announced by a herald, or crier. John the Baptist would be that voice for the arrival of Jesus as he officially began his…