Life of Jesus in Chronological Order
2nd to 3rd Passover
Estrategia pedagógica
The focus of this lesson is on the expanding ministry of Jesus. Of special note: Although the gospel writers don’t give us dates, they do give us events and a specific span of time. In this lesson we see a year in the ministry of Jesus summarized by a series of events as He travels in the region. Teachers should summarize these events and focus on the scope and depth of His teachings and events. Note that the growing popularity of Jesus is spreading because of His healings and teachings. Also note the selection and ongoing training of the Apostles.
Resultados del aprendizaje de los estudiantes
- Know: Comprehend the events within the major divisions of the life of Jesus.
- Feel: Desire to learn more about the life and teachings of Jesus.
- Do: Act upon your knowledge of Jesus by obeying His teachings.
Cuerpo de la lección
Preguntas de discusión
A continuación se sugieren preguntas para utilizar durante la parte de debate guiado de la lección. También se sugieren respuestas a las preguntas para ayudar a los alumnos a comprender los distintos conceptos. Se proporcionan para ayudar al debate y no se consideran respuestas "correctas o incorrectas".
The intent of this question is to show that God has always had a plan and revealed that plan only when He was ready. See also Galatians 4:4-7. We might have the impression that the events of Jesus' travels were done randomly or in reaction to rejection or threats against Him. We must realize that Jesus was always in control and working according to His timeline. A good example is found in John 4:4 as He interacted with the Samaritan woman. The text reads that he "had" to go through Samaria. One might surmise that the application of the word, "had" could be that He had an appointment with a woman there who would be the key to offering salvation to a population desperately in need.
In our journey to spiritual maturity we also go through stages of development. God takes us as we are, desperately in need of salvation, brings us into contact with someone to teach us, and then guides us through the Holy Spirit to greater faith and spiritual growth. Many times, we become impatient to serve or for something to happen to suit our timeline. This is not necessarily wrong, but we must realize that God is in control. He is the Master and we serve by His timeline. The crowds Jesus spoke to and His own Apostles were ready to be relieved from the oppression under Roman rule and to have the Messiah, whom they recognized as Jesus, restore the earthly Kingdom of Israel in their lifetime. God, from the beginning of time, however, worked according to His will to bring about the true Kingdom at the appropriate time and manner.
We must prepare ourselves and be ready to respond to the opportunities He presents for our spiritual development (II Timothy 4:2).
The intent of this question is to further illustrate that we work as servants of the Master. We respond to His will and serve according to his timeline for us.
The apostles came from a wide variety of backgrounds possessing the raw materials that Jesus would use to further the Kingdom of God. Left alone, they had no specific interest or indication that they would become the instruments of God's will. As their knowledge of Jesus and their understanding of their role, they became what God wanted them to become.
In like fashion, each of us come from a variety of backgrounds and possess the raw materials that the Master can use. Our education, experience and abilities can be used to serve God according to His needs. Part of the refining process we go through is how we learn to interact and support one another, adapt our abilities to meet each other's needs and to use these together as a body to complete our mission for the Lord.
Paul teaches this in Romans 12. He begins by saying that we present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice. We are thus transformed to learn and obey God's will. We grow in the grace that God offers us. We develop the characteristics of true Christian servants. We then reach out to others with the gospel no matter the circumstances or our abilities.
Paul teaches us in I Corinthians 12 that we possess gifts from God for use in His service. We sometimes want to be gifted with different gifts and powers but this may not be in God's plan. The simple and routine become magnified by God's power (II Corinthians 4:7).
Paul teaches us in Ephesians 4 that God has given us not only different gifts, but different roles as well. We're to use these to equip the saints to fulfill our role in God's Kingdom.
The pattern of Jesus' life should strengthen our faith and encourage us to grow spiritually. As we work with others to bring them to salvation, we should recognize that they too must go through stages of growth and maturity. Growth and maturity occur over a period, not instantaneously, and this is different for each of us. Turning our lives over to God in faith is also a lesson in humility.