Encountering Jesus in the New Testament has been found in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Encountering Jesus in the New Testament helps students further their personal relationship with Jesus Christ by growing in understanding of Jesus' historical, cultural, and religious background through an in-depth look at Scriptures. Answering the question, "Who is Jesus of Nazareth, the person people of faith call "Christ, the Son of God?," is a central focus of the text. In answering this question, the students will explore how the New Testament scriptures provide us with an answer.
In this eight-session LifeGuide® Bible Study, Douglas Connelly examines the stories of how eight people--among them a scholar, a failure, a blind man and an adulteress--found their lives changed forever when they met Jesus Christ. Looking at their lives can give you hope when you find yourself dealing failure or with an emptiness nothing in life seems to fill.
Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels Cyndi Parker Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels draws readers into a deeper understanding of ancient Israel and first-century Judaismthe clothing, setting, political climate, and moreall to better understand Jesus ministry. Instead of reading the Gospels through twenty-first-century eyes, author Cyndi Parker introduces readers to the larger context with the weight of the Old Testament behind them. This is an approachable and conversational book that introduces the reader to the complex human world of Jesus. Have you ever wondered if it is important that Jesus grew up in Nazareth but moved his public ministry to Capernaum, even though Jerusalem was the capital of Jewish thought? Does it seem strange to you that Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes held significantly divergent religious views, even though they were all Jewish? In this book, Cyndi Parker guides us through the intriguing drama of history that created the context of first-century Judaism. She extends an invitation to readers to take a new look at the long drama of Gods interactions with humanity that reach a climax in the life of Jesus. Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels focuses on the complexities of the political, social, literary, and religious context of the Gospels. The purpose is to advance readers understanding of the Gospels and help them encounter Jesus, the disciples, and crowds as real people in a real place at a time vastly different from today. Come explore the land of ancient Israel with its dramatic history, culture, and religion. Includes many images, maps, photos, and drawings throughout! About the Author Cyndi Parker (PhD, University of Gloucestershire) teaches in seminaries, universities, and churches around the world. Cyndi lived in Jerusalem for five years, has led dozens of trips to Israel, and continues to develop innovative, educational trips that inspire students of all ages through experiential education.
Applying a comprehensive theory of character to the Gospel of John, Cornelis Bennema provides a fresh analysis of the characters and their responses to Jesus. While the majority of scholars view most Johannine characters as “flat,” Bennema demonstrates that many are complex, developing, and “round.” John’s broad array of characters correspond to people and their choices in real life in any culture and time. This book highlights how John’s Gospel seeks to challenge its readers about where they stand in relation to Jesus.
No disciple had a closer relationship with Jesus than John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved." John records how Jesus changed his life dramatically and the lives of others, including Nicodemus, the religious leader who had a secret meeting with Jesus; the woman at the well, who became an evangelist; and Lazarus, who Jesus raised from the dead.
New York Times bestselling author of The Prodigal Prophet Timothy Keller explores how people are changed by meeting Jesus personally—and how we can be changed encountering him today. The people who met Jesus Christ in person faced the same big life questions we face today. Like most of us, the answers handed down to them didn’t seem to work in the real world. But when they met Jesus, things immediately started to change for them. It seems he not only had the answers—he was the answer. In Encounters with Jesus, Timothy Keller shows how the central events and meetings in Jesus’ life can change our own lives forever. "Keller's work belongs on the bookshelf of every serious Bible student." —Examiner "Keller has mined the gold from these texts of Scripture, and any Christian is bound to have their minds expanded and hearts stirred." —Grace for Sinners
From the bestselling author of The Lamb's Supper and Signs of Life comes an illuminating work that unlocks the many mysteries of the Catholic sacrament of the Eucharist. Long before the New Testament was a document, it was a sacrament. Jesus called the Eucharist by the name Christians subsequently gave to the latter books of the Holy Bible. It was the "New Covenant," the "New Testament," in his blood. Christians later extended the phrase to cover the books produced by the apostles and their companions; but they did so because these were the books that could be read at Mass. This simple and demonstrable historical fact has enormous implications for the way we read the Bible. In Consuming the Word: The New Testament and the Eucharist in the Early Church, Dr. Scott Hahn undertakes an examination of some of Christianity's most basic terms to discover what they meant to the sacred authors, the apostolic preachers, and their first hearers. Moreover, at a time when the Church is embarking on a New Evangelization he draws lessons for Christians today to help solidify their understanding of the why it is Catholics do what Catholics do. Anyone acquainted with the rich body of writing that flows so inspiringly from the hand and heart of Dr. Hahn knows that he brings profound personal insight to his demonstrated theological expertise,” writes Cardinal Donald Wuerl in the foreword to the book. Consuming the Word continues in that illustrious tradition. It brings us a powerful and welcome guide as we take our place in the great and challenging work in sharing the Good News.
The Joy of Encountering Jesus does not call simply for faith in Jesus, but spells out how and why we can believe in Jesus in this twenty-first century. Reflecting on human experiences recorded in the Bible, including those of Jesus of Nazareth, we search for who we really are. Finding our true selves is possible only by discovering the risen Jesus dwelling within us. Then the sun rises, the whole world dances with joy, and our hearts are filled with Gods grace; we are Living Gods Life in a New World. The Joy of Encountering Jesus provides 174 short homilies for three liturgical years that will lead you to: rely on the heart rather than the head, utilize non-dualistic thinking rather than dualistic, find God from within rather than from without, build Gods kingdom on earth, expand knowledge on Jewish apocalypse and eschatology, update theology of resurrection and the Eucharist.
For many who identify themselves as Christians, Jesus has never become experientially personal or real. Countless others who have faithfully followed Christ confess to a spiritual dryness and lack of joy. These individuals are weary and unmoved by the plethora of information about Jesus. What they long for is an experience with Jesus. Picturing the Face of Jesus is an invitation to experience Christ more deeply. Through a rich palette of experiential media—art contemplation, gospel story-telling, and imaginative prayer—the reader is invited to picture the face of Jesus, his expressive, one-of-a-kind, human face. As a result, Jesus will become a real person with whom they candidly relate, instead of a hero they merely admire. Through this encounter, their own hearts will be transformed as they begin to reflect the face of Christ to others.
