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Reading Assignment - Week 6

Thursday, February 3 through Thursday, February 10:
Read John 8 through John 21 (finishing the Gospel of John)

Reading Assignment - John 1 - 7

The Gospel of John was written somewhere between the years 80 - 110. John was first introduced to the New Testament reader in Matthew 4:21 "Continuing on, he saw another set of brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father repairing their nets. Jesus called them..."

As the above passage lists John second in order, we are to assume that he was the "lesser" brother or younger brother. John's Gospel isn't concerned with historical events or His deeds. John was interested in His inner meaning of His teaching, often speaking of the "deity" of Jesus. As the younger one in the group, we assume this style of writing reflects a young boy looking up to his hero. John also refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved".

Of the four Gospels, only Matthew and John would have eyewitness accounts of Jesus' teachings and ministries.

What differences to you notice in the writings of John? Are the stories and parables the same or different from the other three Gospels?

Reading Assignment - Luke 15-Luke 24

We have been comparing The Gospel of Luke with the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Many of the parables are the same between the three Gospels. In addition, the accounting for the plot to kill Jesus, the passover meal, death, burial and resurrection are also the same. Our bible study noted the follow differences in the story as related by Luke:
Luke 23:6-12 relates how Pilate, upon hearing the Jesus was a man from Galilee, turned Jesus over to Herod's district. Herod questioned Jesus, mocked him, dressed him in elegant clothing and sent him back to Pilate. This story is not relayed in Matthew and Mark.

Luke 23:46 At Jesus' death, Jesus said "Father, into your hands I entrust my life".
This varies from the Matthew and Mark quote of "My God, My God, why have you left me" or "My God, my God, why have you foresaken me". Luke's version appears that Jesus is accepting and ready to give his life into His Father's hands. The other two Gospels' version appears that Jesus feels alone and forgotten.

Reading Assignment Week 5

The reading assignment for Week 5 is as follows:
January 27 - Luke 15-17
January 28 - Luke 18-19
January 29 - Luke 20-22
January 30 - Luke 23-24
January 31 - John 1-3
February 1 - John 4-5
February 2 - John 6-7

Reading Assignment -Luke 1-14

The Gospel According to Luke was written in 85 (give or take ten years) by Luke, a Greek physician and travelling companion of Paul. Luke was not an eyewitness of Jesus' minitry. Luke emphasizes the beauty of Jesus' humanity and His acceptance of all people - gentiles, women, children, poor.

Luke begins his gospel with the annunciations of conceptions of John the baptists and Jesus. This gospel reflects Jesus in the Temple as a 12 year old youth. The parables are similar to Matthew and Mark.

List one story or parable from Luke that is not found in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark.

Week 4 Reading Assignments

January 21 - Luke 1-3
January 22 - Luke 4-5
January 23 - Luke 6-7
January 24 - Luke 8-9
January 25 - Luke 10-11
January 26 - Luke 12-14