exploring the life of christ

Why teach the NIVDiscovery Study Bible?

• You teach the Bible—just the Bible!

• You get your groupmembers into God’sWord!

• You can teach thewhole Bible in eight13-week courses!

1

Leader’s GuideExploring the Life of Christ

A 13-Week Adventurein the NIV Discovery Study Bible

ObjectivesThrough this 13-week course your group members will:• Read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and John• Trace the life of Jesus Christ from his birth to his death and resurrection• Grow closer to God as they come to better know and respond to his Son

MaterialsFOR THE LEADER• An NIV Discovery Study Bible• A notebook for recording study insights• This free on-line Leader’s Guide

FOR EACH GROUP MEMBER• An NIV Discovery Study Bible• A notebook for recording study insights

ProcedureDuring the week before the first group session, group members will complete the Assignments in one ortwo of the Study Centers built into the NIV Discovery Study Bible and record their discoveries in a note-book. During the group session, you will ensure that your group members understand the significance ofwhat they have studied and help them grasp contributions to their personal relationship with the Lord.

Lesson PlansEach lesson plan for Exploring the Life of Christ states specific goals for that group session and suggests a variety of activities that will help you reach those goals. The group sessions will usually include five seg-ments: Introduce, Inform, Interact, Internalize and Inspire.

IntroduceYou will choosefrom several activi-ties that will getthe group sessionstarted.

InformYou will provideinput (such as amini-lecture orchalkboard illustra-tion) that will bringthe significance ofthe Bible passagesinto clear focus.

InteractYou will activelyinvolve your groupmembers in prob-ing the passagesthey have studied.Each lesson plangives you severalactivities to choosefrom.

Internal izeYou will provideyour group mem-bers with an oppor-tunity to exploretheir own experi-ences and person-alize the truthsstudied. (This is an optional sectionthat may be usedfor groups thatmeet for longerthan one hour.)

InspireYou will encouragepersonal applica-tion of the truthsstudied and moti-vate your groupmembers for thefollowing week’sfresh discoveries in God’s Word.

2

Getting StartedWITH AN ESTABLISHED GROUPSix weeks before the first group session, tell your group members about the exciting opportunity they haveto explore God’s Word by using the unique NIV Discovery Study Bible. Determine how many NIV DiscoveryStudy Bibles you will need to order.

Two weeks before the first group session, distribute the NIV Discovery Study Bibles and inexpensiveloose-leaf or spiral-bound notebooks. Ask your group members to read the Introduction to the Gospels(page 1241 in the NIV Discovery Study Bible), the Introductions to Matthew, Mark and John, and the Land-mark “Jesus Christ” at Matthew 1. They should also complete the Assignments in Study Centers 71 and 94in preparation for the first group session. Encourage them to use their notebooks to record their discoveries,thoughts and any questions they may have.

WITH A NEW GROUPEight weeks before the first group session, begin promoting the NIV Discovery Study Bible and the Explor-ing the Life of Christ elective. Encourage potential group members to sign up immediately.

Five weeks before the first group session, order NIV Discovery Study Bibles for those who have signedup. You may also wish to order additional Bibles for late enrollees.

Two weeks before the first group session, distribute the NIV Discovery Study Bibles and inexpensiveloose-leaf or spiral-bound notebooks. Ask your group members to read the Introduction to the Gospels(page 1241 in the NIV Discovery Study Bible), the Introductions to Matthew, Mark and John and the Land-mark “Jesus Christ” at Matthew 1 in preparation for the first group session. They should also completeAssignments 1–2 in Study Center 71 and Assignments 1–3 in Study Center 94. Encourage them to usetheir notebooks to record their discoveries, thoughts and any questions they may have.

A 13-Week OverviewThe NIV Discovery Study Bible contains 20 built-in Study Centers to be used in conjunction with this“Exploring the Life of Christ” course. You will cover the 20 Study Centers in 13 group sessions. Your groupmembers will complete selected Study Center Assignments before the group sessions. Using this processthey will read through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and John and explore key passages that are essentialfor gaining an understanding of the life Jesus lived on earth. The following chart provides an overview ofthe course.

Exploring the Life of Christ

LESSON STUDY CENTER REFERENCE FOCUS

1 71, 94 Mt 1–2; Jn 1–2 The Authentic Jesus

2 72 Mt 3–4; Mk 1 Preparing the Way

3 73 Mt 5–7 The Sermon on the Mount

4 74, 95 Mt 8–10; Mk 2–3; 5; Jn 3–5 Proof Positive

5 75–76 Mt 11–15; Mk 4; 6–7 Conflicting Expectations

6 96–97 Jn 6–9 Jesus’ Claims

7 77–78 Mt 16–20; Mk 8–9 The Turning Point

8 98–99 Jn 10–14 The Good Shepherd

9 79 Mt 21–23; Mk 11–12 Confrontation

10 80 Mt 24–25; Mk 13 What Lies Ahead

11 99–100 Jn 14–16 Last Supper Teachings

12 81, 102 Mt 26–28; Mk 14–16; Jn 18–21 Death and Resurrection

13 101 Jn 17 Praying for Me

s t u d y e n t e r s

3

LESSON 1

71, 94

The Authentic JesusLESSON AIMS• To introduce the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and John• To establish Jesus as the promised Messiah of Israel and the Son of God

PREPARATION• Read the Introduction to the Gospels (page 1241 in the NIV Discovery Study Bible).• Read the Landmark “Jesus Christ” at Matthew 1.• Read the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 71 and 94. • Complete Assignments 1–2 in Study Center 71 and Assignments 1–3 in Study Center 94.• Develop your own lesson plan by selecting from the options below.• Pray daily for your group members.

IntroduceIf your group members do not know you or each other, take a few minutes to have them exchange firstnames and share their reasons for taking this course.

Option 1Express Opinions. Opinions differ on how people should regard Jesus. Was he a great religious teacher, likeBuddha or Muhammad? Was he a typical first-century Jewish rabbi later deified by his followers? Was he “ason of God” in the sense that he was advanced spiritually beyond others? Was he God come as a humanbeing? Ask your group members to list various opinions of Jesus held by people today. Point out that weneed to establish how the Bible regards Jesus, for the Bible contains the only authentic first-century docu-ments that tell Jesus’ life story.

Option 2List. Divide into teams of five or six persons. In exactly four minutes, have each team list everything theycan about the life of Christ. Then let each team report to the group the three things on their list that theyfeel are most important.

Promise your group members that through this study they will discover new things about Jesus—partic-ularly those things that will have an impact on their lives as Christians.

InformMini-Lecture. When studying the life of Christ, you must first establish who it is that is being studied. Weknow that Jesus was born in Bethlehem to Mary, a young Jewish woman married to a poor carpenternamed Joseph. But the Gospels take great care to identify Jesus as a unique person. Matthew’s Gospelpresents Jesus as the subject of Old Testament prophecies concerning a coming king who is destined torule an everlasting kingdom. John’s Gospel presents Jesus as the Creator and states that although he wasan authentic human being, he was also, at the same time, God the Son, who existed as God from beforethe creation of the universe. These twin truths are central if we are to understand Jesus and his life. Jesus is the Messiah—the Savior King—of the Old Testament, and Jesus is God come among us as a human being.

InteractOption 1Team Bible Study. Divide the group into teams of five or six persons. Give each team one of the followingassignments.

4

Team(s) 1: Trace the Repeated Theme “Davidic covenant” (beginning in the side columnat 2Sa 7:11–12), taking notes on what the king from David’s family line is toaccomplish (see Assignment 1 in Study Center 71). Group members may useany notes they compiled while completing Assignment 1.

Team(s) 2: Identify who the predicted child in Isaiah 7:14—9:7 is to be (see Assignment 2in Study Center 71). Group members may use any notes they compiled whilecompleting Assignment 2.

Team(s) 3: Explain what John is saying about Jesus in John 1:1–5,10–13 (see Assignment2 in Study Center 94). What does this tell us about the identity of Jesus?Group members may use any notes they compiled while completing Assign-ment 2.

Have teams report to the group. Be ready to supplement their reports with any significant informationthey may overlook.

Option 2Quiz. Give the following quiz based on the Self-Tests for Study Centers 71 and 94 (located in the back of the NIV Discovery Study Bible).

1. What is the significance of the genealogy in Matthew 1?2. List two things the Jews expected the Messianic king to accomplish.3. What is the significance of Matthew’s quote of Isaiah 7:14?4. Why was it important for Matthew to show that Jesus was not born in Galilee?5. List three things that John tells us about “the Word.”6. John frequently pairs light and darkness in his writings. List two other pairs frequently

contrasted in John’s writings.7. What must a person do to become a child of God?

Use the quiz answers to emphasize Jesus’ identity as the Messiah of the Old Testament and as God the Son.

Encourage your group members to take the Self-Tests when completing each Study Center.

Internal ize (OPTIONAL)

Role-Play. Divide the group into four teams. Assign each team one of the following Scripture passages: John1:35–42; 1:43–51; 2:1–11; 2:12–25. Group members are to imagine they are witnesses to the scenesdescribed and choose a single descriptive word to sum up their impression of Jesus based on what isdescribed (see Assignment 3 in Study Center 94).

You should then describe each situation one at a time and have the group members assigned thatscene share the term they chose to describe their impression of Jesus.

InspireImpressions. Have your group members select a single descriptive term to sum up the impression of Jesusthat they believe each of the Gospel writers wished to convey. List the terms they suggest on the chalk-board.

Point out that Jesus is all these things and more. Promise your group members that they will gain a better understanding of Jesus and all that his coming means for them as they complete this course.

ASSIGNMENTYour group members should read the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Center 72 and completeAssignments 1–3. They should also read the book of Mark as they would read a newspaper. They shouldrecord in their notebooks any impressions of Jesus they think the original readers of Mark might havehad.

s t u d y e n t e r

5

LESSON 2

72

Preparing the WayLESSON AIMS• To understand the times in which Jesus began his ministry• To understand the Messianic hope of first-century Jews• To understand the preparatory ministry of John the Baptist

PREPARATION• Review the Introduction to the Gospels (page 1241 in the NIV Discovery Study Bible).• Read the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Center 72.• Read Mark in one sitting, recording impressions of Jesus.• Complete Assignments 1–3 in Study Center 72.• Develop your own lesson plan by selecting from the options below.• Call group members several days before the group session to assign reports (see Option 1 of Inform).• Pray daily for your group members.

IntroduceOption 1Impressions. Ask your group members to share the impressions of Jesus they believe the original readers of Mark might have had.

Option 2Mini-Lecture. The Gospels report Jesus’ birth and then—except for a few glimpses (Lk 2)—the next time wesee Jesus, he is approximately 30 years old and ready to launch a public ministry. Although several secondand third-century writings include supposed stories of Jesus’ childhood, we have no eyewitness reports inany of the authentic Gospels. We can, however, speculate about his early life based on what we know offirst-century culture.

For example, as the oldest boy in the family, Jesus almost certainly followed the trade of Joseph thecarpenter. It is also likely that Jesus plied this trade at Sepphoris, which was just a short walk from Nazareth.Sepphoris was probably the largest city in Galilee during Jesus’ young adult years, as it was being rebuilt byHerod Antipas to serve as his capital. Many of Jesus’ parables show familiarity with the lifestyles of the thenrich and famous—a familiarity he would have gained in that bustling, cosmopolitan capital city.

But it was not until John the Baptist began calling Israel to repentance and announcing the approach of the kingdom of God that the Gospels take up the story of Jesus once again.

InformOption 1Reports. Have group members do outside research (using a Bible dictionary or Bible encyclopedia) on whatthe world was like when Jesus began his ministry. Ask one group member to report on the Roman Empire,another on the religious elite in Judea, and another on economic and social conditions in the Holy Land.Each group member should be told to give a brief report (approximately three or four minutes) on his orher findings.

Option 2Review. Turn with your group members to the Introduction to the Gospels (page 1241 in the NIV DiscoveryStudy Bible). Focus on (1) the Roman domination, (2) the Jewish homeland, (3) the religious elite, (4) the

common people, and (5) institutions. After reading each section together, discuss what impact each aspectof the first-century world might have had on those who heard the ministry of Jesus. What expectationsmight these conditions have created? Would these conditions have made the people more or less receptiveto Jesus?

InteractOption 1Group Bible Study. As a group, work through the passages listed in Assignment 2 in Study Center 72 anddiscuss the questions raised there.

Option 2Team Bible Study. When Jesus began to preach, his message was the same as that of John the Baptist:“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2; 4:17). As a group, check the various definitionsof “kingdom” in the Key Words Dictionary (located in the back of the NIV Discovery Study Bible). Point outthat when John and Jesus preached this message, it created specific expectations based on the words ofthe Old Testament prophets.

Divide into teams of five or six persons. Each team is to trace the Repeated Theme “Messianic king”(beginning in the side column at Isa 9:7). Each team is to define the expectations of the Jewish audiencesof John or Jesus based on these prophecies. Group members may use the notes they compiled while com-pleting Assignment 1 in Study Center 72, but they should recheck each passage in the group session. Thenhave each team give a brief report to the group.


Share. Invite group members to volunteer any comparisons they saw between Jesus’ temptations andtemptations they have experienced (see Assignment 5 in Study Center 72).

InspireOption 1Preview. Point out that the Jewish people of Jesus’ day had clear expectations concerning the Messiah andwhat he would accomplish. Matthew 1–2 makes it clear that Jesus, as a descendant of David, was qualifiedto occupy Messiah’s throne. At his baptism Jesus was even acclaimed by God as his Son. John the Baptistrecognized Jesus as the promised Messiah, and Jesus began to echo John’s message that the kingdom wasnear. But as we will begin to see in Lesson 3, Jesus later made it clear that the kingdom about which hespoke had aspects of which his fellow Jews had never dreamed.

Option 2Pray. Close in prayer, asking that your group members understand and respond to the study of the firstmajor section of Jesus’ teaching.

ASSIGNMENTRead the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Center 73 and complete Assignments 1–4.

6

s t u d y e n t e r

7

LESSON 3

73

The Sermon on the MountLESSON AIMS• To survey Jesus’ major teachings in the Sermon on the Mount• To expand your group members’ concept of Jesus’ kingdom• To deepen understanding of what it means to have God as our Father

PREPARATION• Read the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Center 73.• Complete Assignments 1–4 in Study Center 73.• Prepare a quiz sheet for distribution to your group members (for Option 3 of Interact).• Develop your lesson plan by selecting from the options below.• Pray daily for your group members.

IntroduceOption 1Share. Divide into mini-teams of three persons. Team members should briefly tell each other what theirfathers were/are like. As a group, discuss the question, How has our experience with our human fathersshaped our perception of God the Father?

Option 2Review. Look again at the definitions of “kingdom” in the Key Words Dictionary (page 1710 in the NIV Dis-covery Study Bible). Discuss the following questions: Which expression of God’s kingdom is in view inJesus’ Sermon on the Mount? In what ways is the Sermon on the Mount valuable to believers today?

InformOption 1Mini-Lecture. Last week we studied Jesus’ appearance, which was announced by John the Baptist, who pro-claimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2). We looked into the Old Testament,found vivid descriptions of the Messianic kingdom predicted by the prophets, and came to understand theexpectations of the people of Jesus’ day. This week we hear the Messiah himself speaking about his king-dom, and we discover that what he has to say violates those expectations.

Option 2Team Bible Study. Divide into teams of five or six persons. Team members are to put themselves in theplace of first-century Jews and look at the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12). Each team should answer the fol-lowing question: In what ways do these “blessed are” statements fail to fit—or even violate—what the Jewsexpected their Messiah to announce? Have the teams report their insights to the group.

Option 3Group Bible Study. As King, Jesus is concerned with the attitudes and values of those who consider them-selves citizens of his kingdom. Compare the “blessed are” statements of Matthew 5 with the “woe” state-ments of Matthew 23 and describe the attitudes and values that are appropriate to citizens of Jesus’kingdom (see Assignment 2 in Study Center 73).

InteractOption 1Mini-Lecture. Talk your group through Matthew 5:17–45. Be sure your group members understand whatJesus was saying. First, Jesus intended to explain the true meaning of the law. Second, while the law dealswith behavior, righteousness is a matter of the human heart, which must be transformed from within. Seethe Closer Look “Fulfilling the Law” at Matthew 5:17.

Option 2Team Bible Study. Divide into teams of five or six persons. Each team is to carefully study Matthew 6 andlist ways that understanding God as our heavenly Father and relating to him as Father can make a differ-ence in our lives. Group members may refer to notes made while completing Assignment 4 in Study Center73, but they should work through this passage together in search of additional insights. Have the teamsreport to the group.

Option 3Quiz. Give a quiz based on the Self-Test for Study Center 73 (located in the back of the NIV Discovery StudyBible). Then talk through the answers together, letting group members correct their own papers.

This activity is valuable because it confirms how much your group members have learned, fixes key points in their minds and motivates them to complete the Assignments before coming to the groupsession.


Petition. Have each group member write a prayer that asks God the Father to help him or her develop oneof the qualities addressed in the Beatitudes. Then have group members pair up, exchange prayers and prayfor each other.

InspireThe Lord’s Prayer. Repeat the Lord’s Prayer together, pausing after each phrase to let one or more volun-teers offer a word of thanks related to the petition. For instance:

“Our Father” We thank you that through Jesus you have become our Father and we have become your children.

“Who art in heaven” We thank you that you are in heaven, sovereign and all-powerful, King of the universe.

ASSIGNMENTRead the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 74 and 95. Complete Assignments 1–2 inStudy Center 74 and Assignments 1–4 in Study Center 95. In Lesson 3 we studied the principles of livingthat Jesus laid down for citizens of his kingdom. In Lesson 4 we will learn of his right and authority toestablish those principles. Ask your group members to read the assigned chapters in Matthew, Mark andJohn. Encourage them to be aware of the reactions of various persons to the proof Jesus offered of hisauthority.

8

LESSON 4

74, 95

Proof PositiveLESSON AIMS• To review the role of miracles in authenticating Jesus and his claims• To survey varying reactions to Jesus and his miracles• To present Scripture’s teaching on eternal life through faith in Jesus

PREPARATION• Read the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 74 and 95.• Complete Assignments 1–2 in Study Center 74 and Assignments 1–4 in Study Center 95.• Develop your own lesson plan by selecting from the options below.• Pray daily for your group members.

IntroduceMini-Lecture. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus laid down principles for living as citizens of his kingdom.The following chapters in Matthew and the early chapters in Mark record miracles that demonstrated Jesus’authority (his right) to establish kingdom principles and standards. As Nicodemus admitted, even the Jewishruling council recognized that Jesus’ miracles proved he was “a teacher who [had] come from God. For noone could perform the miraculous signs [he did] if God were not with him” (Jn 3:2).

Despite the compelling evidence of the miracles, the religious elite rejected Jesus and his message, andthe majority remained unconvinced. The miracles produced awe and wonder—but they did not producesaving faith.

Note: You may wish to review the qualifications of a prophet specified in Deuteronomy 18. By perform-ing his miracles, Jesus met the decisive test and should have been recognized by all as a prophet whospoke with God’s authority.

InformOption 1Compare. Divide into mini-teams of three persons. Team members are to discuss the chart of miracles theydeveloped for Assignment 2 in Study Center 74, giving particular attention to the reactions to Jesus’ mira-cles and any observations concerning the reactions.

Option 2Discuss. Based on the chart of miracles each group member developed for Assignment 2 in Study Center 74,discuss the following questions: What did Jesus’ miracles reveal about him? What responses did the miraclesstimulate? What does this suggest about the value and the limitations of miracles in reaching people?

Introduce Matthew 11:21–23 and Romans 10:17 into the discussion, and let your group members con-sider what each one suggests.

Option 3Team Bible Study. While Jesus performed authenticating miracles before great crowds, he also spoke withindividuals. John’s Gospel relates conversations with a religious leader named Nicodemus and with aSamaritan woman. It then relates two healings Jesus performed and the two very different reactions theystimulated.


9

Draw a four-celled chart on the chalkboard. Place half of the group in mini-teams of three to compareand contrast the stories of Nicodemus and the woman. Place the other half of the group in mini-teams ofthree to compare and contrast the two miracles and the reactions to them.

Have each team report to the group. Fill in the chalkboard chart with their insights.

InteractOption 1Reports. Your group members underlined references to the following subjects in John 3–5: eternal life, con-demnation and belief in Jesus (see Assignment 1 in Study Center 95). Ask volunteers to read sentencesthey wrote that sum up the connection between these three subjects.

Option 2Talk-Through. Turn together to the Landmark “Eternal Life” at John 3. Discuss the article with your groupmembers, making sure they understand this vital doctrine. Then read John 10:7–30; Romans 5:9–11;6:1–10; 8:1–11. Discuss what each passage adds to our understanding of this vital Bible truth (see Assign-ment 2 in Study Center 95).

Option 3Team Bible Study. Divide the group into mini-teams of three persons. Have each mini-team read John5:16–47 and answer the questions from Assignment 3 in Study Center 95.


Encourage. Remind your group members that it doesn’t take miracles to bring a person to faith in Christ. Itis the Word of God that produces faith (Ro 10:17), and any of us can share the Word with those who des-perately need eternal life. Ask each group member to pray silently for a person they know who needs tohear the gospel.

InspireShare. Ask volunteers to recite the two verses they memorized from John 3–5 that would be helpful in pre-senting the gospel to a non-Christian (see Assignment 4 in Study Center 95). After reciting the chosen vers-es, have the volunteers explain why they chose the verses they did.

Close in prayer, asking God to lead your group members to persons who will be responsive to theirsharing of the gospel.

ASSIGNMENTRead the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 75–76 and complete Assignments 1–4 in StudyCenter 75 and Assignments 1–4 in Study Center 76. Tell your group members to be prepared for a quiz.

1 0

Nicodemus (Jn 3:1–21) Samaritan (Jn 4 1–42)

Official’s son (Jn 4:43–54) Paralytic (Jn 5:1–18)

LESSON 5

75–76

Conflicting ExpectationsLESSON AIMS• To trace the hardening opposition to Jesus• To explore the revolutionary meaning of “kingdom of heaven” in the Gospels• To evaluate the Pharisees’ approach to religion

PREPARATION• Read the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 75–76.• Complete all the Assignments in Study Centers 75–76.• Duplicate “Parables of the Kingdom” (the chart located at the end of this lesson plan) for distribution.• Develop your own lesson plan by selecting from the options below.• Pray daily for your group members.

IntroduceOption 1Recall. Have your group members recall everything they can about the Messianic kingdom as described bythe Old Testament prophets. You may want to review the Repeated Theme “Messianic king” (beginning inthe side column at Isa 9:7). Have your group members suggest possible implications of the prophets’ visionfor the ministry of Jesus.

Option 2Quiz. Give the following quiz, which is drawn from the Self-Tests for Study Centers 75–76. Then discuss theanswers with the group.

1. What Old Testament passage did Jesus paraphrase to resolve John’s doubts? Why did he use that passage?

2. What was the reason for Jesus’ “Sabbath controversies” with the Pharisees?3. How did Jesus answer the charge that he cast out demons by Satan’s power?4. Name the three expressions of God’s kingdom found in Scripture.5. In which kingdom is God’s rule active, invisible and experienced only by

its citizens?

Option 3Q & A. Give your group members the opportunity to raise questions about anything they have read inpreparation for this group session. If possible, let other group members answer the questions raised.

InteractOption 1Report. Your group members have looked closely at the Pharisees (see Assignment 2 in Study Center 75and Assignment 4 in Study Center 76). Ask your group members to report everything they noted about thisinfluential group of men. List their insights on the chalkboard.

When the list is complete, point out that in the Gospels the Pharisees frequently represented thenation’s religious leaders. Their opposition to, and rejection of, Jesus represented the official position of thenation. This is why we see in these chapters a shift in Jesus’ focus. His invitation to the nation to accept himas the Messiah changed to invitations to individuals to accept him (see Assignment 1 in Study Center 75).


1 1

Option 2Talk-Through. The “kingdom of heaven” is an important concept in the Gospels. The term occurs 32 timesin Matthew, and the parallel expression “kingdom of God” is found 52 times in the four Gospels. It isimportant to understand these terms and their significance.

Have your group members turn to the Landmark “The Kingdom of Heaven” at Matthew 13. Read anddiscuss it together to be sure that your group members understand this important concept.

InformOption 1Mini-Lecture. Remind your group members that the Jewish people had specific expectations concerning theMessiah and the kingdom they expected him to establish. As Jesus continued to minister but failed to meetthe people’s expectations, confusion arose. Even John the Baptist wondered about Jesus, and it was onlywhen Jesus reminded John of the nature of the miracles he performed—miracles that Isaiah 35 makes clearwere to be authenticating signs performed only by the Messiah—that John’s doubts were put to rest.

Following the “official” rejection of Jesus by the Pharisees, which represented the nation’s rejection,Jesus began to speak about the kingdom of heaven in parables. These parables were intended not to maketruths more clear, but to veil truths from those who refused to believe (see Matthew 13:10–15). The para-bles were intended to be understood by those who did believe in Jesus. Each of these parables revealssomething about the form of God’s kingdom that Jesus was to establish after his death and resurrection.

Option 2Chart Study. Duplicate and distribute “Parables of the Kingdom” (the chart located at the end of this lessonplan). Work through the chart together, comparing the expected form of the kingdom and the unexpectedshape of what was to come first.


Discuss. Look at Matthew 12:22–37. Invite your group members to share what they would say to a personwho is worried about committing the “unforgivable sin.”

InspireBrainstorm. After working through “Parables of the Kingdom” (see Option 2 of Inform), ask your groupmembers to brainstorm implications of the unexpected form of the kingdom. What implications are therefor the church? For individual believers? Let volunteers close in prayer.

ASSIGNMENTRead the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 96–97. Do Assignments 1–4 in Study Center96 and Assignments 1–4 in Study Center 97. Point out that, unlike the other Gospels, John’s Gospeldoes not follow a chronological order. John 6–9 will help your group members understand more aboutJesus’ teachings and why the Pharisees (the representatives of the nation) rejected and hated him.

1 2

Parables of the Kingdom

PARABLE EXPECTED FORM UNEXPECTED FORM

1. Sower Messiah turns Israel Individuals respond differently Mt 13:3–9, 18–23 and all nations to Himself. to the Word’s invitation.

2. Wheat/Tares The Kingdom’s righteous The Kingdom’s citizens are Mt 13:24–30, 37–43 citizens rule over the among the men of the world,

world with the king. growing together until harvest time.

3. Mustard seed The Kingdom begins in The Kingdom begins in Mt 13:31–32 majestic glory. insignificance; its greatness

comes as a surprise.

4. Leaven Only the righteous enter The Kingdom is implanted in Mt 13:33 the Kingdom; other a different “raw material” and

“raw material” is excluded. grows to fill the whole personality with righteousness.

5. Hidden treasure The Kingdom is public and The Kingdom is hidden and for Mt 13:44 for all. individual “purchase.”

6. Priceless pearl The Kingdom brings all The Kingdom demands Mt 13:45–46 valued things to men. abandonment of all other

treasures.

7. Dragnet The Kingdom begins with The Kingdom ends with final Mt 13:47–50 initial separation of separation of the unrighteous

righteous and unrighteous. from the righteous.

Larry Richards, Illustrated Bible Handbook,Nelson, page 481. Used by permission.

1 3

LESSON 6

96–97

Jesus’ ClaimsLESSON AIMS• To explore Jesus’ claims to deity• To understand the response of the people to Jesus’ claims• To respond to Jesus as bread and light

PREPARATION• Read the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 96–97.• Complete Assignments 1–4 in Study Center 96 and Assignments 1–4 in Study Center 97.• Develop your own lesson plan by selecting from the options below.• Pray daily for your group members.

IntroduceMini-Lecture. Matthew presents Jesus as Israel’s promised Messiah-King in his Gospel, and he relates inci-dents and teachings of Christ that demonstrate his claim. John’s concern is to present Jesus as God theSon, and he selects other incidents and teachings to highlight his assertion. Both writers present an authen-tic Jesus. To gain a full picture of Christ’s life and teachings, we need to look at both the Gospel of Matthewand the Gospel of John.

As we saw in Lessons 5, the Jewish people had definite expectations concerning what the promisedMessiah would do. As Jesus began his teaching and miracle-working, the people were enthusiastic, becausethey expected Jesus to set up an earthly kingdom immediately. As Jesus spoke of an unexpected form ofGod’s kingdom in the Sermon on the Mount and in his kingdom parables, it became increasingly clear thatJesus was not meeting the people’s expectations; therefore, his support began to decline. The religiousleaders had always been hostile, for they saw Jesus as a threat to their position and power. But when thesupport of the common people began to decline, the opposition of the religious elite became more open.Christ was still held in great regard, but the people were uncertain about his identity.

Yet the real issue was Jesus’ identity. The question was not, “Where is the promised kingdom?” but “Willwe put our trust in Jesus?” This is the question that Jesus himself posed as he presented himself in John’sGospel as the bread of life and the light of the world. There is no doubt from John’s account of Christ’s lifethat Jesus presented himself as God the Son. And there is no doubt that his claims were understood by thereligious leaders and the people. The simple truth was that Israel could not have the kingdom withoutacknowledging and believing in the King. It is clear from John 6–9 that Israel would not acknowledge theKing for who he was or believe in him.

InteractOption 1Respond. Give your group members an opportunity to respond to your mini-lecture. Ask volunteers to sum-marize some of the personal claims of Jesus recorded in John 6–9. How did various groups of peoplerespond to Jesus’ claims about himself?

Option 2Team Bible Study. Divide into teams of five or six persons. Be certain to have at least four teams. Assigneach team one chapter from John 6–9. From their assigned chapter, each team should identify Jesus’claims about himself and characterize the responses to those claims. Have the teams report their findingsto the group.


1 4

1 5

Option 3Group Bible Study. As a group, work through John 8:12–58, making lists of Jesus’ claims and the Pharisees’claims. How clear was Jesus’ presentation of himself as God the Son? How strong was the evidence thatJesus’ claims were true and that the Pharisees’ claims were false?

Option 4 Bible Talk-Through. Talk through John 6–9 with your group members, inviting comments and making yourown comments on each section. You can structure your talk-through by writing the following questions onthe chalkboard and using them to analyze each section: What claims did Jesus make? What was the appro-priate response to his claims? How did various people respond?


Option 1React. Ask your group members to react to the following statement from Assignment 3 in Study Center 97:Human beings are either members of God’s family or members of Satan’s family; there is no other option.

Option 2Invite. Invite anyone who would like to chat with you about their personal response to Jesus to contact yousometime after the group session.

InspireOption 1Apply. Review the significance of Jesus’ identification of himself as “I AM” (see the Landmark “The Revela-tion of God’s Name” at Exodus 3). Look together at the “I am” claims of Jesus (see Assignment 3 in StudyCenter 96). Let volunteers share their ideas of how Jesus, as revealed in the “I am” statements, can meetour needs today.

Option 2Summarize. Point out that people today often have expectations of how God ought to act in their personallives or in the world. Yet the basic issue remains: Who is Jesus? Do we acknowledge him as God the Sonand place our trust in him? When we do, we discover that our expectations can be set aside as we permithim to be Lord and to do what he knows is best in our lives.

Close in prayer, expressing your own trust in Jesus.

ASSIGNMENTRead the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 77–78 and complete Assignments 1–4 inStudy Center 77 and Assignments 1–4 in Study Center 78. Let your group members know that you maygive them a quiz during the next group session.

LESSON 7

77–78

The Turning PointLESSON AIMS• To identify and understand the shift of focus in Jesus’ ministry• To better understand the cost and benefits of being a disciple• To make personal commitments to follow Jesus more closely

PREPARATION• Read the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 77–78.• Complete Assignments 1–4 in both Study Centers.• Duplicate the quiz (located after Inform) to give to your group members.• Develop your own lesson plan by selecting from the options below.• Pray daily for your group members.

IntroduceMini-Lecture. In our last two studies we saw growing resistance to Jesus as he presented himself to hispeople as the Messiah of the Old Testament and as God the Son. In this study we come to the theologicalturning point in Jesus’ ministry. When the disciples report that the people honor Jesus as a prophet but donot recognize him as the Christ (the Messiah), Jesus speaks of the cross for the first time. From this timeforward, Jesus’ teaching focuses less on citizenship in his kingdom and more on how those who choose to believe in him are to live as his disciples.

InformQuiz. Distribute copies of the quiz (located below). After your group members take the quiz, reviewMatthew 16–20 by talking through the answers.

Alternatively, let volunteers suggest answers, and supplement their answers when necessary. Forinstance, in discussing question 2 (Peter’s confession of faith), bring up Christ’s response (“You are Peter,and on this rock I will build my church” [Mt 16:18]), and invite opinions on what Jesus meant. Note thatanswers to many of the quiz questions are provided in the Culture Clues and other features in these chapters.


1 6

Q U I Z

MATTHEW 16–20

1. Who did the crowds say Jesus was?

2. Who did Peter, speaking for the disciples, say Jesus was?

3. What did Jesus predict after Peter’s confession of faith?

4. What does it mean to deny oneself, take up one’s cross and follow Jesus?

5. What was the significance of the temple tax?

6. What characteristics of a little child are a model for those entering Jesus’ kingdom?

7. What do we learn about forgiveness from the parable of the lost sheep?

8. What do we learn about forgiveness from instructions concerning the brother who sins against us?

9. What do we learn about forgiveness from the parable of the unmerciful servant?

10. Why was the issue of divorce chosen to demonstrate the false thinking of the Phar-isees that keeping the law is the way to achieve spiritual greatness?

11. How does the story of the rich young man demonstrate the false thinking that living a“good” life is the way to achieve spiritual greatness?

12. How does the story of the workers in the vineyard demonstrate the false thinking thatworking harder than others is the way to achieve greatness?

13. How has Jesus himself demonstrated the true pathway to greatness?

1 7

InteractGroup Bible Study. Look together at Matthew 16:13–24. Have your group members identify the turningpoints in this brief passage. They are: (1) the people reject Jesus’ claims to be the Christ, the Son of the liv-ing God; (2) the disciples affirm Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God; (3) Jesus introduces a new theme, hischurch, which he will build; (4) Jesus tells his disciples of his coming death and resurrection; and (5) Jesusexplains what is involved in discipleship. Be prepared to answer any questions that may arise during thisdiscussion.


Option 1Brainstorm. Have the group brainstorm qualities of a disciple of Jesus. List your group members’ sugges-tions on the chalkboard. Then work together to create a checklist of the most important qualities of a disci-ple. Have your group members copy the checklist and use it as a motivator for becoming better followersof Jesus.

Option 2Chart Study. Divide into teams of five or six persons. Have each team look at Matthew 20:25–26. Haveeach team create a chart that compares and contrasts secular and kingdom concepts of “greatness” (seeAssignment 4 in Study Center 78). After the chart is complete, have each team develop a checklist of themost important qualities of a disciple. Have your group members copy the checklist and use it as a motiva-tor for becoming better followers of Jesus.

InspireOption 1Share. Jesus emphasized forgiveness as a key to keeping his “little ones” sensitive to him and to others.Encourage your group members to share how forgiveness or lack of forgiveness from others has impactedtheir lives. Close with a time of prayer, thanking God for the forgiveness we have in Jesus and asking thatour hearts will be sensitive to others.

Option 2Mini-Message. Invite a group member who is well regarded by the group to give a mini-message on thecost and benefits of discipleship and the cost and consequences of failing to live as a disciple (see Assign-ment 4 in Study Center 77). He or she can close in prayer.

ASSIGNMENTRead the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 98–99. Complete Assignment 1–5 in StudyCenter 98 and Assignments 1–4 in Study Center 99.

1 8


1 9

LESSON 8

98–99

The Good ShepherdLESSON AIMS• To present Jesus as the Good Shepherd and model for disciples• To begin to explore Jesus’ commitments to his disciples• To further encourage group members to a life of discipleship

PREPARATION • Read the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 98–99.• Complete Assignments 1–5 in Study Center 98 and Assignments 1–4 in Study Center 99.• Develop your own lesson plan by selecting from the options below.• Pray daily for your group members.

IntroduceOption 1Brainstorm. After washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus said, “I have set you an example” (Jn 13:15). In whatother ways has Jesus set us an example in John 10–14? List your group members’ suggestions on thechalkboard.

Option 2 Mini-Lecture. John 10–14 relate events after the turning point that was explored in the last group session.Jesus continued to press his claim as the only source of eternal life, and he demonstrated his power overdeath by the raising of Lazarus. The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem initiated the last week of Jesus’ life, andalthough Christ continued to speak to the people, John’s Gospel reports a very special, private ministry tohis disciples. In Christ’s public teaching and private ministry, he sets an example for disciples of every age—and he shares promises that go to the heart of our empowerment to live daily as his disciples.

InformOutline. Place the following outline of John 10–14 on the chalkboard. Talk through each section of the out-line, asking your group members to briefly sum up the content and significance of each section. You mayalso want to entertain questions as you work through these chapters with them.

John 10–14A. The Good Shepherd (Jn 10)

1. Jesus is the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:1–18)2. Reactions to the Good Shepherd message (Jn 10:19–42)

B. The raising of Lazarus (Jn 11)1. Lazarus sickens and dies (Jn 11:1–37)2. Jesus raises Lazarus (Jn 11:38–44)3. Reactions to the raising of Lazarus (Jn 11:45–57)

C. Jesus enters Jerusalem (Jn 12)1. Jesus is acclaimed by the crowds (Jn 12:1–19)2. Jesus predicts his death (Jn 12:20–36)3. Jesus is officially rejected but is believed in by individuals (Jn 12:37–50)

2 0

D. Jesus meets privately with his disciples (Jn 13–14)1. Jesus washes his disciples’ feet (Jn 13:1–17)2. Jesus predicts his betrayal by Judas (Jn 13:18–30)3. Jesus gives his disciples a “new commandment” (Jn 13:31–38)4. Jesus encourages his disciples (Jn 14:1–31)

InteractOption 1React. List the following principles on the board. Have your group members react to each one, identifyingthe passage or event from which each principle is drawn (see bracketed references). Group membersshould then try to identify ways each principle might be worked out in the life of a follower of Jesus today.

1. Disciples, like Jesus, are to give themselves for his sheep. [Jn 10:14–15]2. Disciples, like Jesus, can expect opposition from hostile individuals.

[Jn 10:31–33]3. Disciples, like Jesus, are to be sensitive to the pain others experience. [Jn 11:35]4. Disciples, like Jesus, are to focus on eternal, rather than temporal, values.

[Jn 12:25]5. Disciples, like Jesus, are not to judge but are to present the good news of

salvation. [Jn 12:47–48]

Option 2Deduce. Give your group members the bracketed verses identified in Option 1 of Interact. Divide into mini-teams of three persons. Have each mini-team draw discipleship principles from the verses. Come togetherand list the principles on the board. Have your group members identify ways each principle might beworked out in the life of a follower of Jesus today.

InspireOption 1Team Bible Study. Divide into teams of five or six persons. Team members are to compare the promisesrecorded in John 14 (see Assignment 4 in Study Center 99). They are then to discuss the privileges andresponsibilities of disciples that are implied in these promises. Each team should report their insights to thegroup.

Option 2Mini-Lecture. Summarize the principles of discipleship that can be drawn from Jesus’ example given inthese chapters (see Options 1–2 of Interact). Then summarize the promises in John 14, reminding yourgroup members that Christ provides the spiritual resources we need to live a life of discipleship. Close inprayer, asking that you and your group members might each be faithful disciples of Jesus.

ASSIGNMENTRead the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Center 79. Complete Assignments 1–5 in Study Center79. Let your group members know that next week they will look at Jesus’ last week on earth from a dif-ferent perspective. This lesson (Jn 10–14) looked at events with a focus on the disciples. Next week’slesson (Mt 21–23; Mk 11–12) will shift our focus to Christ’s confrontations with those who rejected andopposed him.

s t u d y e n t e r

2 1

LESSON 9

79

ConfrontationLESSON AIMS• To trace Jesus’ final confrontation with the religious leaders• To present the Pharisees’ flaws as a negative example to be avoided by Jesus’ disciples• To encourage group members to examine themselves and their attitudes

PREPARATION• Read the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Center 79.• Complete Assignments 1–5 in Study Center 79.• Duplicate copies of the quiz (located after Option 1 of Inspire) and the course overview (located at the

end of Lesson 9) for your group members.• Develop your own lesson plan by selecting from the options below.• Pray daily for your group members.

IntroduceMini-Lecture. Read Zechariah 9:9–17 aloud. Jesus’ fulfillment of this prophecy and his pointed parablesagainst the Pharisees and other religious elite led to a flurry of desperate attempts by the Pharisees andSadducees to discredit Christ in the eyes of the people. But those attempts backfired, discrediting the reli-gious leaders rather than Christ.

InformOption 1Group Bible Study. Work through Matthew 22–23, summing up in one sentence each of the three parablesand the four riddle-challenges described there. Make sure your group members understand the point ofeach parable and challenge (see Assignment 3 in Study Center 79).

Option 2Team Bible Study. Divide into teams of five or six persons. Have each team compare the sentences theywrote for Assignment 3 in Study Center 79. Have each team give a brief report and raise any questions thatwere not answered in their team discussion.

InteractReport. Have group members report on what they discovered when they contrasted Jesus’ condemnationof the Pharisees in Matthew 23 with Jesus’ “blessed are” statements in Matthew 5 (see Assignment 4 inStudy Center 79). List their discoveries on the chalkboard.


Apply. Discuss pharisaic attitudes and behaviors to which Christians are vulnerable. How do these show upin our lives? How do we guard against them? Review the principles of discipleship drawn from Jesus’ exam-ple in last week’s lesson (see Option 1 of Interact in Lesson 8). What protection from Pharisaism might liv-ing by these principles provide?

InspireOption 1Quiz. Give a quiz (located below) to help your group members see how much they have learned. Talkthrough the answers with the group. Then encourage your group members to begin reviewing the Exploringthe Life of Christ lessons during the coming week.

As a review aid, distribute the course overview and suggest that your group members review the mate-rial by making a list of key events or teachings covered in each Study Center.

Q U I Z

1. The authentic Jesus is both:a.____________________b.____________________

2. The person who prepared the way for Jesus was: _________________________________

3. The two events that took place just before Jesus began his public ministry were:a. __________________________________b. __________________________________

4. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus “fulfilled the law” by __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Jesus proved his right to teach with authority by _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Answer key:1. Israel’s Messiah and God the Son (or, the Son of God)2. John the Baptist3. Jesus was baptized and Jesus was tempted by Satan4. Showing that the law called for inner transformation, not just behavioral conformity5. Performing miracles

Option 2Encourage. Distribute the course overview (located at the end of this lesson). Suggest that your groupmembers review the material by making a list of key events or teachings covered in each Study Center.

Option 3Pray. Give your group members a few minutes to meditate on the contrasts between the Pharisees’ atti-tudes and behaviors and the “blessed are” statements of Matthew 5.

In closing, let volunteers offer spontaneous prayers.

ASSIGNMENTRead the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Center 80. Complete Assignments 1–3 in Study Center80. Encourage your group members to begin a review of earlier lessons. This would be a good week foryour group members to choose another “Exploring” course using the NIV Discovery Study Bible.

2 2

2 3

COURSE OVERVIEW

Exploring the Life of Christ

LESSON STUDY CENTER REFERENCE FOCUS

1 71, 94 Mt 1–2; Jn 1–2 The Authentic Jesus

2 72 Mt 3–4; Mk 1 Preparing the Way

3 73 Mt 5–7 The Sermon on the Mount

4 74, 95 Mt 8–10; Mk 2–3; 5; Jn 3–5 Proof Positive

5 75–76 Mt 11–15; Mk 4; 6–7 Conflicting Expectations

6 96–97 Jn 6–9 Jesus’ Claims

7 77–78 Mt 16–20; Mk 8–9 The Turning Point

8 98–99 Jn 10–14 The Good Shepherd

9 79 Mt 21–23; Mk 11–12 Confrontation

10 80 Mt 24–25; Mk 13 What Lies Ahead

11 99–100 Jn 14–16 Last Supper Teachings

12 81, 102 Mt 26–28; Mk 14–16; Jn 18–21 Death and Resurrection

13 101 Jn 17 Praying for Me

s t u d y e n t e r

2 4

LESSON 10

80

What Lies AheadLESSON AIMS• To explore Jesus’ teachings about the future• To relate Jesus’ teachings to those of the Old Testament prophets• To encourage group members to actively watch for Jesus’ return

PREPARATION• Read the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Center 80• Complete Assignments 1–3 in Study Center 80.• Review Study Center 62 concerning Daniel’s prophecies.• Duplicate “Sir Robert Anderson’s The Coming Prince” concerning Daniel’s 70th week (located after

Option 2 of Inform).• Develop your own lesson plan by selecting from the options below.• Pray daily for your group members.

IntroduceOption 1React. Ask your group members their reactions to Jesus’ teachings about the future. What is the majorimpression they gained from reading Matthew 24–25 and Mark 13?

Option 2Quiz. Ask your group members to jot down answers to the three questions Jesus was asked: (1) When willthe temple be destroyed? (2) What will be the sign of the end of the age? (3) What will be the sign ofJesus’ return? Also ask, What are Jesus’ followers to do until Christ returns? Rather than give the answers,give the mini-lecture in Option 1 of Inform (below).

InformOption 1Mini-Lecture. When Jesus told his disciples of the coming destruction of the Jerusalem temple (Mt 24:2),his stunned followers asked him three questions: (1) When will this happen? (2) What will be the sign ofyour coming? (3) What will be the sign of the end of the age? To understand Matthew 24 we need to notethat Jesus answered these questions in reverse order.

First, Jesus identified the sign marking the end of the age. It will not be wars or famines or earthquakesbut “the abomination that causes desolation, spoken of through the prophet Daniel” (Mt 24:15). This signis to be followed immediately by “great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—andnever to be equaled again” (Mt 24:21). While the “abomination” is spoken of only in Daniel, a time of“great distress” is a frequent theme of the Old Testament prophets who wrote of the “day of the LORD” or“that day.”

Second, Jesus identified the sign of his coming. That sign will appear “in the sky” (Mt 24:30) and bevisible to all nations, as he will return “with power and great glory” (Mt 24:30). Jesus emphasized that noone knows the date for his return, and he went on to urge his followers to “watch” (Mt 24:42).

Third, Jesus did not answer his disciples’ question about when the temple would be destroyed. But thatquestion is answered in history. In A.D. 70, some 40 years after Jesus’ crucifixion, a Roman army under Titusput down a Jewish rebellion and razed both Jerusalem and the temple.

2 5

As we continue our study, it is important to look more closely at Jesus’ teaching about the future tounderstand the questions Jesus was answering and to identify which verses in Matthew 24 are responsesto which question.

Option 2Illustrated Lecture. The key to understanding Jesus’ answer about the sign that marks the end of the age isthe prophecy in Daniel to which Jesus referred. You may wish to give an overview of Daniel’s propheciesand even provide a handout concerning the critical prophecy of the 70 weeks. If so, you can present thefollowing material.

Fulfilled Prophecy in Daniel

Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a great statue (Da 2) and Daniel’s vision ofstrange beasts (Da 7) and of a ram and goat (Da 8) concern successive Gentile empires that dominatedthe Near East from Daniel’s time to the Messiah’s appearance. The prophecies have been fulfilled in suchdetail that those who reject the possibility of predictive prophecy have been forced to argue that Daniel waswritten around 100 B.C. rather than its actual date in the fifth century B.C.

Illustrate by referring to the prophecies concerning Greece (Da 8:5–8). After the death of Alexander theGreat (the goat with one horn of Da 8:5–8), his empire was divided into four sections by his four generals,Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus and Ptolemy (the four horns of Da 8:8,22).

While it is clear that these prophecies have been fulfilled, the predictions that after these kingdomsthere would be another empire that would be destroyed, “but not by human power” (Da 8:25), and that an “everlasting kingdom” would be established by God—these prophecies have not yet been fulfilled.

Have your group members look at the chart “Daniel’s 70th Week” at Daniel 9 in the NIV DiscoveryStudy Bible. Point out the language of Daniel 9:26 that predicts that the Messiah will be “cut off” (die) atthe end of the 69th week of years.

You may wish to duplicate the following article as a handout for your group members.

605–538 B.C. 538–331 B.C. 331–146 B.C. 146 B.C.– A.D. 33

Babylon Medo-Persia Greek Rome Crucifixion

Sir Robert Anderson’s The Coming Prince

In the years before the turn of the century Sir Robert Anderson, a lay theologian and Bible teacher inGreat Britain, could not agree with Germany’s “higher criticism” that attacked the accuracy and datingof many Old Testament documents. Anderson determined to study the subject, working from the lan-guage of Scripture itself and from archeological discoveries. Thus for instance, he used the 360-daysacred Jewish calendar rather than the Julian calendar in computing times.

Working carefully, Anderson was able to pinpoint the exact date from which, according to Daniel9, a specific period of time was to be counted. Sir Robert took each statement of Scripture and sortedout the dates involved. The salient aspects of this interpretation are included on the chart with thesecritical elements.

Weeks. The word is shabua, and literally means “sevens.” The Jews used this term for weeks andalso for a “sabbath of years” or seven years (see Gen 29:27; 2 Chron 36:21). Using the Hebrew reli-gious year, Anderson determined that a period of 490 years was divided into two separate time peri-ods: 69 weeks (or 173,880 days) and 1 week (or 2,520 days). When did the countdown begin? Andwhen did this first period of 69 weeks end?

Dating. Three decrees made the Jew’s return to Palestine possible. The first, issued by Cyrus in538 B.C., had to do with the rebuilding of the house of God (2 Chron 36:22–23; Ezra 1:1). The sec-ond, issued by Darius in 521 B.C., also related to the temple (Ezra 6:3–8). The only decree that wasconcerned with rebuilding Jerusalem itself was issued in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes, 445 B.C.(Neh 2:1). What is more, we know the month! Anderson proceeds to assign a day:

The Persian edict which restored the autonomy of Judah was issued in the Jewishmonth of Nisan. It may in fact have been dated the 1st of Nisan, but no other daybeing named, the prophetic period must be reckoned, according to a practicecommon with the Jews, from the Jewish New Year’s Day. The seventy weeks aretherefore to be computed from the 1st of Nisan, 445 B.C. (The Coming Prince,Kregel).

Computing carefully, Sir Robert concluded that the 69 weeks of years would have been ended onApril 6 of A.D. 33—“that fateful day on which the Lord Jesus rode into Jerusalem in fulfillment of theprophecy of Zechariah 9:9; when, for the first and only occasion in all his earthly sojourn, He wasacknowledged as ‘Messiah the Prince, the King, the Son of David.’ ”

We all know the events that followed on the heels of the Triumphal Entry. The proclaimed Messi-ah was, in a few short days, “cut off” by execution. And what of the seventieth week? What of theevents detailed so carefully in Daniel 10 and 11, and referred to in Daniel 8 as history’s climax? Thattime, the last seven years of history, is still ahead. And it rushes toward us.

The Teacher’s Commentary, Lawrence O. Richards,Cook Communications, used by permission

2 6

2 7

InteractOption 1Group Bible Study. Assign each student one of the passages in the Repeated Themes “Day of the Lord”(beginning in the side column at Isa 13:6–13) and “That day1” (beginning in the side column at Isa3:18–26). Have each group member read his or her assigned passage aloud. List on the chalkboard the keywords or phrases that describe each prophet’s picture of the future. These should be left on the chalkboardfor your group members to refer to.

Option 2Compare. Divide into teams of five or six persons. Each team will look through one of the Gospel passagescontaining Jesus’ predictions concerning the future. Have each team identify parallels between Jesus’ teach-ings and the teachings of the Old Testament prophets (see Assignment 2 in Study Center 80). Assign thefollowing passages:

Team(s) 1: Matthew 24:1–42Team(s) 2: Mark 13Team(s) 3: Luke 21:5–28

When the teams are finished, have them report to the group. Then discuss the following question:What is the significance of these teachings?


Respond. Point out that in view of the future Jesus has described, we are to “watch” (Mt 24:42) until hecomes. Ask your group members to select one verse from Matthew 24:43–51 that defines what is involvedin watching. Let volunteers share the verse they chose and tell how Christians “watch” today.

InspireSummarize. Jesus applied his teaching on the future by challenging us to “watch” (Mt 24:42). This is not apassive term, but an active one. We are to be constantly aware that Christ may come at any time. In view ofhis coming, we are to focus always on serving him and others. (Select several verses from Matthew 24 toillustrate as you give this summary.)

Close in prayer, asking that we might take Jesus’ words to heart and be active in his service, aware thathe may return for us at any time.

ASSIGNMENTRead the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 99–100. Complete Assignment 5 in Study Cen-ter 99 and Assignments 1–3 in Study Center 100. Continue your review of earlier lessons.

LESSON 11

99–100

Last Supper TeachingsLESSON AIMS• To familiarize group members with the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit• To better understand the life and ministry of a follower of Jesus• To appropriate the resources Jesus provides for his followers

PREPARATION• Review the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 99–100.• Complete Assignment 5 in Study Center 99 and Assignments 1–3 in Study Center 100.• Have applications available for any group member who may want to send away for a certificate

of completion for this course.• Develop your own lesson plan by selecting from the options below.• Pray daily for your group members.

IntroduceOption 1Brainstorm. Ask your group members to volunteer information about the Holy Spirit. List what the informa-tion on the chalkboard. Leave the list on the chalkboard for future reference.

Option 2Share. Ask volunteers to share anything in these chapters that seems especially important to them person-ally. Listen, but don’t comment on anything they suggest at this point.

InformOption 1Review. In tracing the life of Jesus, we have seen him identified as the Messiah and as God the Son. Johnthe Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry, and Jesus himself was prepared spiritually by overcomingSatan’s temptations. The focus of Jesus’ early preaching was repentance and the kingdom of heaven. Jesuslaid out principles for kingdom living in the Sermon on the Mount, and he proved his right to introduce hisradical teachings by performing miracles that authenticated him and his authority. But Jesus did not meetthe expectations of the Jewish people, because they were looking for the earthly kingdom described by theOld Testament prophets. They would not accept the unexpected form of the kingdom that Jesus described.

After several years of preaching, teaching and healing, it became clear that the Jewish people wouldnot accept Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. The religious leaders were increasingly hostile, and thepeople, who honored Jesus as a great prophet, still did not accept him for who he was. At this turningpoint, Jesus began to speak to his disciples about his coming death and resurrection. And increasingly Jesusinstructed his disciples in private about the life of servanthood they were to live after he was gone.As hislife on earth neared its end, Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time. There he confronted his enemies,who were now determined to kill him. During his last week on earth, he gave his disciples the glimpse ofthe future we looked at last week in Lesson 10. He also shared with them a last supper in which heencouraged them, giving them wonderful promises and describing some of the resources he would provideto enable them to live victoriously as his followers.

It is these resources that we look at this week in Jesus’ Last Supper discourse.


2 8

2 9

Option 2Landmark Study. The key resource Jesus has provided for us is the person of the Holy Spirit. Talk throughthe Landmark “The Holy Spirit” at John 14. Have your group members look up and talk about key passagesreferred to there. This option is one you will want to consider if your group members know little about whothe Holy Spirit is or what he does.

InteractOption 1Team Bible Study. In Jesus’ Last Supper discourse, he identified three vital resources for victorious Christianliving. List these on the chalkboard: (1) the Holy Spirit, (2) the union of Christ, and (3) prayer. Then dividethe group into teams of five or six persons. Have each team study one of these resources (see below).Each team should report its findings to the group.

Team(s) 1: Identify references to the Holy Spirit in John 14–16, and follow up on discover-ies made while completing Assignment 5 in Study Center 99.

Team(s) 2: Identify principles in John 15:1–17 concerning our union with Christ. List rea-sons to support the conclusion that Jesus is speaking here of fruitfulness, notsalvation (see Assignment 1 in Study Center 100).

Team(s) 3: Identify prayer promises and principles in John 16:17–33 (see Assignment 3 in Study Center 100).

Option 2Focus. Depending on your evaluation of the needs of your group members, you may wish to work togetheron one of the three issues noted in Option 1 (above) and simply give a summary of the other two issues.

InspireOption 1Reprise. Review the list of information about the Holy Spirit that was created at the beginning of group ses-sion (see Option 1 of Introduce). Let your group members add any new items of information they havebecome aware of during this group session. Then discuss the following questions: What aspect or work ofthe Holy Spirit is most important to you personally? What difference has he or can he make in your dailylife? Close in prayer, thanking God for the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Option 2Pray. Review the prayer promises found in John 16:17–33. Invite group members to share things they haveprayed for that they are confident were offered “in Jesus’ name.” Share prayer requests and pray aboutthem in pairs.

ASSIGNMENTRead the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 81 and 102. Complete Assignments 1–3 inStudy Center 81 and Assignments 1–3 in Study Center 102. Continue to review previous lessons.


3 0

LESSON 12

81, 102

Death and ResurrectionLESSON AIMS• To familiarize group members with the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus• To understand the saving purpose of Jesus’ death• To express thanks to God for his gift of salvation through Jesus• To review previous lessons together

PREPARATION• Read the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Centers 81 and 102.• Complete Assignments 1–3 in Study Center 81 and Assignments 1–3 in Study Center 102.• Review the content of Lessons 1–6 by using the quiz in Lesson 9 (after Option 1 of Inspire). • Develop your own lesson plan by selecting from the options below.• Pray daily for your group members.

IntroduceOption 1Mini-Lecture. Almost a third of each Gospel is given to descriptions of the last week of Jesus’ life on earth.That week culminated in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Understanding the significance of his deathand appropriating the gift won on the cross for us is the most import thing any human being can do.

Invite group members to comment on the significance of Jesus’ death as developed in the Landmark“The Crucifixion of Jesus” at Matthew 27 (see Assignment 2 in Study Center 81).

Option 2Group Bible Study. Talk through the Landmark “The Crucifixion of Jesus” at Matthew 27. Have individualslook up verses referred to there and use them to help describe the significance of Jesus’ death. List on thechalkboard aspects of the gift that God gives us in Jesus.

InformPreview. Go over the contributions Isaiah 53 makes to our understanding of Jesus’ death. Either do this in a mini-lecture or let your group members relate what they discovered while completing Assignment 3 in Study Center 81.


Invite. You may wish to invite your group members to make a decision for Christ if they have not alreadydone so. One approach to this invitation is to build on John’s description of Jesus’ trial before Pilate (Jn18:1–19). Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, but he let himself be manipulated to the extent that he author-ized Jesus’ crucifixion but then washed his hands of the affair, declaring himself not responsible.

The fact is, however, that every person (including Pilate) who saw Jesus and the cross was responsible.And that is still true today. The crucifixion was a decisive act by God that demands that each of us make adecision for or against the Savior. The choice to delay—to stand on the sidelines—is a choice against theSavior and a rejection of the gift of salvation that God offers to us today.

Encourage group members who have not yet made a decision to trust the crucified Savior to make thatchoice today and let someone know he or she has made that choice. A group member can do this by raisinga hand while you pray, by letting you know after the group session, or in any other way he or she wishes.

3 1

Take time for prayer, thanking God for the gift he gives us in Jesus and praying for any group membersin your group who have not yet made a decision for Christ.

InteractReview. List the titles of Lessons 1–6 and their corresponding Scripture references on the chalkboard (see“Course Overview” at the end of Lesson 9 of this Leader’s Guide). Have your group members suggest whatpersons, events, teachings, etc. should be listed for each lesson. As your group members make their sug-gestions, be sure to raise the question of the significance of the events or persons in the unfolding of Jesus’life.

Note: As an alternative, you may wish to conduct the review at the beginning of the group session. If so, follow the review with activities suggested in Introduce and Inform (above).

InspireOption 1Plan a Party. Ask your group members to bring various food items for a party next group session to cele-brate what you have learned during this course.

Option 2Preview. Tell your group members to be prepared for a brief review of Lessons 7–12 next group session.Using this option, have the party for next session be a “surprise party” and bring the food and drink your-self.

ASSIGNMENTReview Lessons 7–12. Read the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Center 101. Complete Assign-ments 1–4 in Study Center 101 and Assignment 4 in Study Center 102.

s t u d y e n t e r

3 2

LESSON 13

101

Praying for MeLESSON AIMS• To complete the review of the life of Christ• To understand Christ’s prayer for all believers• To share what God has taught group members during the course• To celebrate God’s work in one another

PREPARATION • Review Lessons 7–12.• Read the Background and Mastery Keys in Study Center 101. • Complete Assignments 1–4 in Study Center 101 and Assignment 4 in Study Center 102.• Make sure arrangements for refreshments have been made.• Pray daily for your group members.

IntroducePreview. Let your group members know your plan for this group session: a brief review, a time of sharing, a short message, and refreshments.

InformReview. For the review, list the titles of Lessons 7–12 and their corresponding Scripture references on thechalkboard (see “Course Overview” at the end of Lesson 9 of this Leader’s Guide). Have your group mem-bers suggest what persons, events, teachings, etc. should be listed for each lesson. As your group membersmake their suggestions, be sure to raise the question of the significance of the events or persons in theunfolding story of Jesus’ life.


Share. Invite volunteers to share anything special that God has taught them through this study of the life of Christ.

InspireMini-Message. Develop a brief message on Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17. Highlight the importanceof glorifying God by doing his will and the specific requests Jesus made for his disciples (then and now).Encourage your group members to remember that the life of Christ didn’t end. Jesus still lives and is inter-ceding for us.

InteractParty! Conclude this study with a time of refreshments. Enjoy each other’s company.

exploring the life of christ

Documents

group members

getthe group

group sessions

niv discovery study

nivdiscovery study bible

study centers

thewhole bible

provideyour group members