2021-2022 Bible School

2021 MS Bible School Curriculum
Week 1: Context of the New Testament
Week 2: Introduction to the Gospels
Week 3: Luke 1 Part 1
Week 4: Luke 1 Part 2
Week 5: Nativity of Christ Part 1
Week 6: Nativity of Christ Part 2
Week 7: The Genealogy and Infancy of Christ
Week 8: The Forerunner
Week 9: The Baptism and Temptation of Christ
Week 10: The Lord's Ministry in Galilee I
Week 11: The Lord's Ministry in Galilee II
Week 12: Jesus Responds to the Pharisees
Week 13: The Constitution of Christianity I
Week 14: The Constitution of Christianity II
Week 15: Luke 7 Part 1
Week 16: Luke 7 Part 2
Week 17: Hear the Word of God
Week 18: Do not be afraid, Only Believe
Week 19: The Disciples Start Their Ministry
Week 21: Luke 10
Week XX: Luke 11
Week XX: Luke 12
Week XX: Luke 13
Week XX: Luke 14
Week XX: Luke 15
Week XX: Luke 16
Week XX: Luke 17
Week XX: Luke 18
Week XX: Luke 19
Week XX: The Raising of Lazarus
Week XX: The Triumphal Entry
Week XX: Pascha Eve of Monday
Week XX: Pascha Monday
Week XX: Pascha Eve of Tuesday
Week XX: Pascha Tuesday
Week XX: Pascha Eve of Wednesday
Week XX: Pascha Wednesday
Week XX: Pascha Eve of Thursday
Week XX: The Washing of the Disciples' Feet
Week XX: The Institution of the Eucharist
Week XX: The Arrest and Trials of Christ
Week XX: The Passions of Christ
Week XX: The Crucifixion
Week XX: The Death of Christ
Week XX: The Resurrection I
2022-04-27

2021 MS Bible School Curriculum

I recognize that this plan is very aggressive

09/01 - Week 1: Context of the New Testament
09/08 - Week 2: Introduction to the Gospels
09/15 - Week 3: Luke 1 Part 1
09/22 - Week 4: Luke 1 Part 2
09/29 - Week 5: Nativity of Christ Part 1
10/06 - Week 6: Nativity of Christ Part 2
10/13 - Week 7: The Genealogy and Infancy of Christ
10/20 - Week 8: The Forerunner
10/27 - Week 9: The Baptism and Temptation of Christ
11/03 - Week 10: Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
11/10 - Week 11:

Week 1: Context of the New Testament

Readings:

None

Resources:

Dr. Jeannie Constantinou
- ACTS Intro to NT (http://actslibrary.org)

Powerpoint:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/egn8rrxt9qfv59r/2021-09-01%20-%20Introduction%20to%20Bible%20Study.pptx?dl=0

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/DDwFKyMWCzgEkEDn9

Introduction

Welcome to Bible School!

Agenda and Plan for Bible School
What do you need to bring?
How does the Bible Homework work?

Why is Bible Study important?

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The people in Berea "were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11)
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39)

What kinds of things will we study?

Literal - Stories, Historical Context, Cultural Context, Etymology, Numerology, etc.
Tropological - What lessons can I learn? What are the virtues? Etc.
Allegorical - What does this tell us about God? How does the OT point to Christ in the NT?

Biblical Context

Review the History of the Old Testament

Genesis
- God created the universe and everything in it
- God made man in His image, according to His likeness
- Man fell by the envy of the devil and had to be removed from Paradise lest they eat from the tree of life and live eternally in their sin
- The Lord promises that He will save them and He will trample on Satan
- The generations continue and they have some evil and some good... a line of evil from Cain, and a line of good from Seth
- From the line of Seth comes Enoch and Methuselah and Noah
- Because of the evil in the line of Cain, the Lord decides to send a flood on the earth to purge it from the evil people. Noah and his family are saved.
- Abraham comes along, a descendant of Noah and he is a righteous man who is faithful to God and God's promises. And God promises him children and descendants more than the number of stars in heaven or dust on the earth.
- Abraham has Isaac, a son of Promise who is just as faithful and just as righteous.
- Isaac has Jacob, who starts life pretty bad - deceiving his father and his brother several times, but then by the end of his life he is very faithful.
- Jacob's name is changed to Israel and he has 12 sons. Those become the 12 tribes of Israel. Unfortunately, 10 of those sons go and sell Joseph (the 11th son) as a slave. He ends up in Egypt but remains faithful to God. So God keeps taking care of him, until he becomes the most powerful man in Egypt (second to Pharaoh).
- There is a famine and the brothers of Joseph have to come to Egypt to get grain which is when Joseph tests them and then reveals himself to them. He invites them to come live with him in Egypt and to bring their father and whole family. They comply. He gives them some of the best land in Egypt to live in.
Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
- A new Pharaoh rises up and he does not know Joseph. All he sees is the Israelites multiplying and taking up their land... so he makes them slaves. And they were slaves for 400 years until God raised up for them someone to save them - Moses.
- Moses was born in Egypt and raised by Pharaoh's daughter. When he was 40 years old he killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew. So he fled from Egypt to the wilderness.
- He lived out there for 40 more years until God appeared to him in the Burning Bush.
- God told him that he would go to Egypt and demand that Pharaoh let God's people go
- Moses takes his brother Aaron and they go to Egypt and they work many signs for Pharaoh but he still won't let them go... so God sends 10 plagues on them. After the 10th plague, Pharaoh lets them leave... but even then, he chases them out.
- God splits the Red Sea for them and closes it on the Egyptian army, so they escape from Egypt.
- God gives them the Commandments before they enter their new land - the land of Canaan, the land God had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
- God also gives them instructions to build the Tabernacle and they build it.
- Then God leads them out to enter the Promised Land, but they refuse to enter when they get there. They don't have faith. They think they will lose the battles that will follow. Except for Joshua and Caleb.
- So instead, they wander 40 years in the wilderness until that whole generation dies off. During this time, they are eating Manna sent from heaven, and quail. They are following a cloud and a pillar of fire. They are getting water from rocks. They are seeing miracle after miracle after miracle.
- In the end, they reach the border of the land, Moses and Aaron both die and Joshua becomes the leader.
Joshua
- Joshua guides the people into the conquest of the land. He is positioned as Moses' replacement.
- They start with the big city of Jericho and they encircle it every day for seven days. On the seventh day they encircle it seven times and the walls of the city fall completely and crumble. They overtake the city.
- They continue the conquest of the land and take over much of the Promised Land.
- When Joshua dies, he tells them to finish their conquest, to have faith, and to not reject the Lord.
Judges
- They continue to do those things until all the elders who knew Joshua died. By then, they had forgotten everything Joshua had told them.
- And this starts the period of the Judges... the people lose faith in God, go after wives from the Canaanites, worship idols of the Canaanites, etc. So God gives them over to those other nations. Then they plead to God and He raises for them a judge... a judge is a military leader who also has a relationship with God, and to whom God speaks. The judge rescues them from captivity, then they repent and are good for a little while, then the cycle repeats.
- Some judges that are well known are Samson, Deborah, Barak, Gideon.
- The last of the judges is Samuel the Priest.
1&2 Samuel
- Samuel hears God calling to him and he ministers as His priest.
- The people come to Samuel and tell him that they want a king... he is not happy because they should be following God as their king, not desiring an earthly king like the other nations.
- God agrees with Samuel, but tells him to give them what they want.
- So they choose Saul - a good man from the tribe of Benjamin to be the king. Saul is good for a while... but one time, instead of waiting for Samuel to come and offer the burnt offerings, he did it himself. But he is not a priest. So it was a grave sin.
- From there, it was all downhill for Saul.
- Samuel anoints David when he is young, because God chose him to be king one day.
- David goes and defeats Goliath and then continues to defeat the Philistines for many years and the people seemed to love him more than Saul. So Saul starts to chase after David to try and kill him. David had many opportunities to kill Saul, but he didn't because he would not lay a hand on the Lord's anointed.
- At one battle against the Philistines, Saul's sons were all killed, and Saul fell on his sword to avoid getting captured. So David became King.
- David ruled as a good king - a man after the Lord's heart. He made many mistakes but he always repented of them. And this is why the Lord accepted him to be king. The Lord promised him that his descendants would keep the royal line.
King Solomon
- When David died, his son Solomon became king. King Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom and the Lord gave it to him. He wrote the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Book of Wisdom and Song of Songs.
- He made Israel so powerful and so rich during his reign
- He built the Temple
- God appeared to Solomon and told him that if he walks before God in the way David walked, and keep His statutes and His judgments, then his throne will be established on the kingdom forever.
- Unfortunately, Solomon did not do that... but he went after foreign women - Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, Hittittes, and even a daughter of Pharaoh. He had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines. And they caused him to turn his heart after other gods. He was not loyal to God.
- Then one of his officers, Jeroboam met with a prophet named Ahijah and Ahijah told him a prophecy - that the Lord will split the kingdom. And 10 of the tribes will go to Jeroboam, and 2 of the tribes will continue in the line of Solomon for the sake of his father King David.
Split of the Kingdom
- When Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became king. And Rehoboam was not good to the people. He taxed them harder than even his father Solomon.
- Ten of the tribes revolted against him and they chose Jeroboam as their king. The other two stuck with Rehoboam.
- The rest of the Books of 1 and 2 Kings describe the period of the split kingdom... they list the kings of the North and the kings of the South. All of the kings of the North were evil. Most of the kings of the South were evil. Only a couple of Kings were good - like King Asa, King Hezekiah and King Josiah.
- During the time of the Split Kingdom is also when we see almost all of the prophets. Some of them in the North and some of them in the South.
Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian Captivity
- The Assyrian conquest came up from the North and took over the Kingdom of Israel (map). And the Assyrian king resettled people in Samaria (capital city of the North) - he brought Babylonians and other foreigners.
- Later on, the Babylonians led by Nebuchadnezzar started their conquest and they defeated the Assyrians and took over the Assyrian kingdom. They continued further south and conquered the Kingdom of Judah.
- The Israelites were all taken captive.
- Jerusalem was destroyed and the Temple was destroyed.
- After 70 years, King Cyrus of Persia conquered the Babylonian kingdom. And he said that God commanded him to build for God a house at Jerusalem so he issues an Edict to allow Jews to return to their land.
Returning to Jerusalem
- The Israelites returned in three waves:
- Zerubabel led the first wave of Jews to rebuild the Temple
- Ezra led back a second wave and guided them as priest and read to them the words of the Law
- Nehemiah led back a third wave to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem

Activity

Geography of New Testament Palestine

We will draw together the following map, each on his own paper with his own pen:

Historical Context

History of the Intertestamental Period

Greek Empire
- We left off before the drawing with the Persian Empire being in control, but letting the Jews return to their own home. And they rebuilt the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem.
- Around 330 BC, Alexander the Great set out to conquer the Persian Empire. And he was successful and he conquered even as far as India. He established his kingdom far and wide - but he ruled in a very different way than previous kingdoms. He wasn't interested in having power, but he was interested in Hellenization - the "Greekifying" of everything. So he would conquer a place, put one of his generals there to rule it. The generals want all of their Greek comforts - amphitheaters, competitions, temples, art, Greek language, etc. So they start to establish these things. And the people start to imitate the ruling class. And the Empire becomes Hellenized - Greek. The whole world starts to imitate the Greeks in their language, philosophy, thought, etc.
- Back when the Jews returned from Exile, it was... different. Many of them had decided not to come back. They had lived their lives in the Babylonian or Persian Empire and had already become accustomed to it. They didn't want to move their whole family to Judah. So this was the start of Jewish Diaspora - that means Jews outside of Judea. The ones who came back were really the religious and the strict ones. So this resulted in two changes:
  - Greek
    - And now that Alexander the Great is conquering everything and making it Greek, what language do those Jews speak? They speak Greek! But all their Scripture is in which language? Hebrew!
    - So Ptolemy II of Egypt, who had many Jews living in Alexandria and speaking Greek, commissioned the authorship of the Septuagint. He called on 70 Jewish elders to translate the Old Testament into Greek and this is the Scripture that most of the world would use in the 1st Century. This is the Scripture that the Lord and the Apostles quoted from.
  - Rejection of Samaria
    - When people came back from captivity, they found the Samaritans living in Israel. And the Samaritans claimed to be Israelites... but the Jews coming back from captivity did not want anything to do with them.
    - They considered Samaritans to be ethnically and religiously impure.
    - The Samaritans wanted to rebuild the Temple but the Jews rejected them and didn't allow them to help, because they would defile it.
    - So the Samaritans build their own temple on Mt Gerizim and start to say "the temple in Jerusalem is not the real temple"
    - This hatred and rivalry continues to the New Testament... that's why the story of the Good Samaritan that Christ tells is so effective. Because the priest and the levite left the man, but the Samaritan did not. That's why Christ's conversation with the Samaritan Woman is so important - because it's unheard of that He would speak to her. And she says the part about "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship."
Maccabbean Revolt
- Several hundred years later, during the Greek Empire, a Dynasty arose called the Seleucid Dynasty. Led by Antiochas IV - he wants the empire to all worship the same gods. So he attacks Ptolemy in Egypt and starts persecuting the Jews. He burned their Scriptures, bans circumcision, forbids keeping the Sabbath, puts an idol up in the Temple, sacrifices a pig on their altar, has immoral activities inside the Temple, etc. He sold the position of "priest" to whoever wanted to buy it. He forced the people to eat pork.
- Mattathias was a priest and did not want to do those things. Instead, when he found out a Jew was going to do those things, he would kill them and would kill the government official who told them to.
- He was older but he had many sons, so he instructed his sons to lead the revolt.
- Judah Maccabee, his son, leads the revolt and is killed. His next son takes over and is killed. His third son takes over and defeats the Seleucid Dynasty.
- They cleansed the Temple and rededicated it which is the Feast of Dedication or Hannukah as they call it now. All of this is in the books of the Maccabees.
Hasmonaean Kingdom
- The Maccabean brothers started to call themselves kings... but kings are supposed to be from the line of David. They weren't.
- They took over as high priests... but high priests have to come from the line of Aaron/Eleazar/Zadok.
- They go to Mount Gerizim and destroy the Samaritan Temple
- One of them goes down to the kingdom of Idumea and forces them to become Jews - making them circumcised.
- The point here is that the Jews were persecuted, but when they had power they turned around and persecuted everyone around them.
- They started to fight amongst themselves as to who should be king or who should be high priest... so they asked the Romans to help them decide... by this time, Rome had conquered the Greek Empire.
- Roman General Pompey came "to help them" and conquered them instead.
Rise of King Herod
- Pompey chooses Hyrcanus to be king, but after Hyrcanus dies, a rich man from Idumea who had connections with the Romans wanted his son to be king. His son's name is Herod.
- Of course, that couldn't happen because the king has to be Jewish, right? But remember that they had gone to Idumea and forced everyone to be Jewish and circumcised them... none of this would have happened if they just left the Idumeans alone!
- So Herod becomes King of Judea and is known as Herod the Great. His name becomes a title "Herod" - everyone after him is called a "Herod". He is well-known for a long and bloody reign, for his cruelty and for his building projects.
  - He expanded the Second Temple, built many palaces, etc.
  - He is very paranoid... that's why we see that he kills all the children in Bethlehem because he's afraid a "King of the Jews" will rise up. They say "it was safer to be a pig than a prince in Herod's palace" (because Jews don't eat pork).
  - He left an order upon his death that 1,000 of the leading citizens in Jerusalem would be put to death so that the people in the city are guaranteed to mourn his death.
- Death
  - When he died, his three sons split his kingdom:
  - Herod Antipas: responsible for killing John the Baptist, the one mentioned in the Crucifixion trials, etc.
  - Herod Archelaus ended up being worse than his father and killed even more people for no reason. The people complained to Caesar and he replaced him with Roman Governors instead... one of them was Pontius Pilate.
  - Philip is the third son of Herod the Great and he took over the north area.
  - "Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene" (Luke 3:1)

Religious Context

When the Jews came back from Babylonian Captivity, and not everyone came back, this was the beginning of Jewish Diaspora - not all the Jews are in the same place, or speak the same language. They are dispersed.
- After Alexander the Great conquered they all spoke Greek. So in 250 BC, the Septuagint came out which was the Greek Old Testament
- Herod the Great had rebuilt the Temple and beautified it in Israel, but it did not contain the Ark of the Covenant
- With Jews all around the world, a Synagogue system was set up so that Jews could go there for daily prayer, reading Scripture, etc. even though the only place to do sacrifices was in the Temple at Jerusalem
- All of these things led to contention and different sects of Judaism
Pharisees
- Rabbis and Scribes
- They were in charge of Synagogues
- They emphasized ritual purity and they had thousands of rules called the Oral Law which was their interpretations of the Law of Moses. For example, when Christ is criticized because He did not wash His hands before eating - where is this in the Law of Moses? It's not found. But it was one of thousands of little rules and laws that they invented based on their interpretation of the Law of Moses.
- They thought they were better than the average person because they "kept the law."
- This is the Judaism that is still around today and has even more rules and laws than before (for example, you can't use an elevator on the Sabbath; you can't have meat and dairy in the same meal; etc.)
- In the 1st Century, they accepted two categories of books as their Scripture: The Law and the Prophets (Books of Moses, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Minor Prophets). You will hear Christ refer to "The Law and the Prophets" when speaking to them
Scribes
- These are Pharisees who were experts in the Law of Moses. They went to school and memorized all the regulations and they could answer any questions based on the Law
- Sometimes they are called Lawyers
Sadducees
- They only accepted the Torah; did not accept the Oral Law of the Pharisees
- Didn't believe in angels, demons, afterlife, resurrection, etc. You will see them challenge Christ on the Resurrection and how He answers them
- They were in charge of the Temple and the systems of sacrifice. Once the Temple is destroyed in 70 AD, they disappeared.

Messianic Expectations

What were the Jews expecting/waiting for at this time?
- They all expected Elijah to come back before the Messiah
  - Malachi 3:1 - "Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," says the Lord of hosts."
  - Malachi 4:5 - "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord."
  - The people saw John and thought he was Elijah
    - "He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, 'I am not the Christ.' And they asked him, 'What then? Are you Elijah?' He said, 'I am not.'" (John 1:20-21)
  - They thought Christ was Elijah
    - "'Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?' So they said, 'some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'" (Matthew 16:13-14)
  - So the Jews were waiting for Elijah and during the Passover they would even leave their door unlocked and set an extra spot in the hope that Elijah would come (they do this until now). But of course, Elijah who is to come is St John the Baptist who came "in the spirit of Elijah" (which we'll talk about)
    - Zacharias identified his son, John, as the Elijah who is to come: "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children.' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
    - Christ identified John as Elijah: "And if you are willing to receive it, he [John] is Elijah who is to come." (Matthew 11:14)
The Jews had expectations of the Messiah
- The word "Messiah" simply means "The Anointed"
- Six Messianic Expectations
  - Davidic King - As promised to King David
  - Transcendant Messiah - Like the Book of Daniel
  - Miracle-working Messiah - The Jews were looking for this and always asking for a sign
  - Prophetic Messiah - Based on what Moses said ("The Lord God will raise up for you a Prophet like me")
  - Priestly Messiah - Based on what is written in the Psalms ("You are a priest forever...")
  - Suffering Messiah - Based on the Prophecies of Isaiah
- Some thought that this would be more than one person

Week 2: Introduction to the Gospels

Readings:

Mark 1:1
Luke 1:1-4

Introduction to the Gospels

What is the Gospel?

What does the word "Gospel" mean? "Good news"
- Ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ: "Good News"
  - Ⲉⲩ: "Good"
    - Eulogy = Good word
    - Euphoria = Good feeling
  - ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ: "Message"
    - ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ is just the Greek word for "messenger"
    - God's messengers were spirits, so now the word for them is Angels
  - Related words
    - Evangelist - writer of a gospel
    - Evangelize - to preach a gospel
- The Gospel was a message before it was a book or a genre
- First one to use the word was St Mark in Mark 1:1
  - "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God"
Importance of the Gospel to the Orthodox Church
- We put it on the altar, read it in every liturgy, adorn it in gold, kiss it, etc.

The Four Gospel Accounts

How many gospels are there?
- We say four gospels, but it is really one Gospel recorded by four people separately. It's the same "good news" that they are all sharing.
- This is why we say "The Gospel according to..." in the Liturgy
- St Irenaeus makes the argument that the Gospels must be exactly four in Against Heresies Book 3 Ch 11 Sec 8

"It is not possible that the Gospels can be either more or fewer in number than they are. For, since there are four zones of the world in which we live, and four principal winds, while the Church is scattered throughout all the world, and the "pillar and ground" of the Church is the Gospel and the spirit of life; it is fitting that she should have four pillars, breathing out immortality on every side, and vivifying men afresh. From which fact, it is evident that the Word, the Artificer of all, He that sits upon the cherubim, and contains all things, He who was manifested to men, has given us the Gospel under four aspects, but bound together by one Spirit."

Are four gospels really needed? Why not one gospel?
- Irenaeus continues his remarks in the same passage

"As also David says, when entreating His manifestation, 'You who sits between the cherubim, shine forth.' For the cherubim, too, were four-faced, and their faces were images of the dispensation of the Son of God. For, as the Scripture says, 'the first living creature was like a lion,' symbolizing His effectual working, His leadership, and royal power; 'the second was like a calf,' signifying His sacrificial and sacerdotal order; but 'the third had, as it were, the face of a man,' - an evident description of His advent as a human being; 'the fourth was like a flying eagle,' pointing out the gift of the Spirit hovering with His wings over the Church."

"And therefore the Gospels are in accord with these things, among which Christ Jesus is seated.
For that according to John relates His original, effectual, and glorious generation from the Father, thus declaring, 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.' Also, 'all things were made by Him, and without Him was nothing made.' For this reason, too, is that Gospel full of all confidence, for such is His person."

"But that according to Luke, taking up His priestly character, commenced with Zacharias the priest offering sacrifice to God. For now was made ready the fatted calf, about to be immolated for the finding again of the younger son."

"Matthew, again, relates His generation as a man, saying "the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham;" and also, "the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise." This, then, is the Gospel of His humanity; for which reason it is, too, that the character of a humble and meek man is kept up through the whole Gospel."

"Mark, on the other hand, commences with a reference to the prophetical spirit coming down from on high to men, saying, 'the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as it is written in Isaiah the Prophet,' pointing to the winged aspect of the Gospel; and on this account he made a compendious and cursory narrative, for such is the prophetical character."

- The gospels themselves are represented by the Four Incorporeal Creatures
  - Matthew - Face Like a Man - He started his gospel with the Genealogy of Christ
  - Mark - Face of a Lion - Starts his gospel with "a voice crying out in the wilderness" and focuses on Christ's might
  - Luke - Face of an Ox - Starts his gospel with the priesthood of Zechariah, talks about Christ who offered Himself for the salvation of the whole world by the blood of His sacrifice
  - John - Face of an Eagle - Starts his gospel with the heavenly "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and Word was God" - and proves Christ is Son of God in his gospel
- The Redeeming work of Christ is also Christ is also represented by the four creatures
  - Man - Incarnation of Christ
  - Calf - His Sacrifice on the Cross for our Forgiveness
  - Lion - Power of His Resurrection
  - Eagle - His Ascension
- The gospels work together to give us the full picture of Christ from several different angles:
  - Matthew: Jesus is the Messiah
  - Mark: Jesus is the Son of God
  - Luke: Jesus is the Savior of the World
  - John: Jesus is the Logos
When were they written?
- All of the Gospels were written in the 1st Century. Starting with Matthew, then Mark, then Luke, then John. That's why we have that order. The Early Church Tradition is that Matthew wrote his gospel first, then Mark and Luke, then John was last.
What languages were they written?
- Matthew's Gospel was most likely originally written in Hebrew and then translated by him into Greek. We don't have any Hebrew fragments or manuscripts of it, but we think this for some reasons:
  - It was directed to the Jews... so it makes sense it was in Hebrew
  - He, himself, was formerly a Jew and a tax collector so he would be most fluent in Hebrew
  - The Early Church Fathers seem to know for certain that he wrote it in Hebrew
    - Jerome (On Illustrius Men Ch 3)
    - Irenaeus (Against Heresies 3:1)
    - Origen (quoted by Eusebius Book 6 Ch 25 Sect 4)
- Mark, Luke and John were all written in the Greek Language
Why were they written?
- Matthew wrote his gospel in Hebrew during the time Peter and Paul were out preaching - very early on.
- When Peter and Paul were martyred, St Mark and St Luke wrote their gospels
  - St Mark was a relative of St Peter and his gospel is generally believed to be the written account of the gospel that St Peter preached (we even see in 1 Peter 5:13 that St Peter acknowledges Mark as greeting the reader). So when St Peter was martyred, it was likely then that St Mark wrote his gospel. He probably did not know that Matthew had written a gospel.
  - St Luke was a close associate and physician of St Paul. The gospel he recorded is the gospel that St Paul was preaching. St Luke was also close to St Mary (he wrote her icon) which is why he has such details like the annunciation of the birth of John and the annunciation of Christ in his gospel. So when St Paul was martyred, it was likely that then St Luke wrote his gospel. He probably did not know that Matthew and Mark had written gospels.
- St. John wrote his gospel last. He did not write it to replace the other three gospels - in fact, the Fathers tell us that he knew that the other gospels existed and he supported them and agreed with them... but he felt they were missing some things. For example, they are missing what Christ did at the very beginning of His ministry. They are also missing some of the long theological dialogues that Christ had. They also didn't document some things simply because everyone knew them! Like the Raising of Lazarus - why would Matthew Mark and Luke leave something so important out of their gospel? Because everyone already knew about it! But by the time of St John maybe some people had forgotten, or he recognized the importance of writing it down... so he did. His Gospel also aimed to give a more theological understanding of Christ - so for example, from the beginning in Ch 1 he mentions this idea of "Lamb of God" and then during the Crucifixion makes it a point to say "during the slaughtering of the lambs for Passover" - so he is making links here for the reader to understand.
Synoptic Gospels vs Gospel of John

The Good News

What is the "Good News" that these Gospels are preaching?
- The Messiah has come, was crucified and buried, and then rose from the dead and granted us eternal life by faith in Him and participation with Him in the sacraments
How did the disciples spread this "good news" in the New Testament? How did Christianity get so big?
- To the Jews they went to Synagogues, heard the Old Testament reading and preaching, and interpreted it according to the NT
- To the Gentiles, they were attracted by the level of virtue, the bravery of martyrdom, etc.

Characteristics of the Four Gospels

The evangelists did not try to give a comprehensive view of the life and ministry of Christ. But they picked and chose which stories, parables, miracles, etc. to write down to serve their purpose. They had no obligation to document everything, they were simply spreading the "good news" - telling their audience "this is what you need to know about Jesus. This is the good news." Back then it would have been impossible to write very long volumes - everything had to be hand-copied. Writings needed to be limited in length. It is not dishonest of them to leave things out.

Gospel According to St. Matthew

Author
- St Matthew (Levi) one of the 12
- Nickname: Meticulous Matthew
Audience
- Jewish Christians
Structure of the Gospel
- Narrative-Teaching Structure
  - Ch 1-2 (Bookend) Genealogy, Birth of Christ, Herod, Flight to Egypt, Return to Nazareth
  - 1 - Narrative/Teaching
    - Ch 3-4 - Baptism of Christ, Temptation, Calling Disciples
    - Ch 5-7 - Sermon on the Mount
  - 2 - Narrative/Teaching
    - Ch 8-9 - Ten Miracles
    - Ch 10 - Missionary Discourse (Instructions for the Disciples)
  - 3 - Narrative/Teaching
    - Ch 11-12 - Arrest/Beheading of John the Baptist
    - Ch 13 - Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven
  - 4 - Narrative/Teaching
    - Ch 14-17 -
    - Ch 18 - Discourse on the Church
  - 5 - Narrative/Teaching
    - Ch 19-22 -
    - Ch 23-25 - Eschatological Discourse
  - Ch 26-28 (Bookend) Arrest, Trial, Cross, Resurrection
- Balance in the Book
  - Ch 1: "He will be called Emmanuel meaning 'God with us'
    Ch 28: "Lo, I am with you always"
  - Ch 2: "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?"
    Ch 27: "And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS."
Purpose
- Jesus is the Messiah who fulfilled the prophecies
- Christ is the new Moses
- Christ is the Teacher
Common Themes
- Fulfillment of Prophecy
  - Double the number of prophecies mentioned in this gospel than in the others
  - Fulfillment formula: "
- Kingdom of Heaven
  - Gospels of Mark and Luke use the term "Kingdom of God" but St Matthew is writing to Jewish Christians! And the Jews were very sensitive to using the name of God... so he doesn't say "Kingdom of God" but he says "Kingdom of Heaven"
  - He emphasizes how do we obtain the Kingdom of Heaven
  - He emphasizes how do we preach the Kingdom of Heaven
- Authority
  - "He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes" (7:28)
    - The scribes would teach and say "Rabbi xxx says this and that" but Christ never did that. Never quoted human authority.
  - "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth"
  - Christ always challenged: "By what authority do you do these things?"
- Christ as the New Moses
  - At the birth of Christ, Herod kills all the babies and Christ escapes to Egypt.
    At the birth of Moses, Pharaoh killed all the babies and Moses escaped to Egypt.
  - As Moses gave his law from the mountain, so Christ expounds the law from the mountain (Sermon on the Mount)
  - Christ is clear in replacing Moses' law

Gospel According to St. Mark

Author:
- St Mark (John Mark, mentioned in the Book of Acts, one of the 70)
- Nickname: The Storyteller
Audience:
- Romans
  - He explains Jewish customs (since the Romans would not already know them)
    - 7:1-4 "Now when the Pharisees gathered together to him, with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions which they observe, the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze.)"
  - He focuses on the power and might of Christ - Romans respected this. Christ did great things and great miracles.
Structure of the Gospel
- Very rich, vivid, lengthy narrative. He's a storyteller and he's writing to the Greeks - his stories include dialogue and drama and emotions
  - The rich young ruler came and asked what should I do to inherit eternal life? And Christ told him to follow the commandments and he said "well I already do all those things from my youth" and Mark says "Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'One thing you lack..."
  - He includes names that the other gospels leave out
- Jesus talks very little but does very much - very powerful; a hero!
- Fast-paced
  - "Immediately" - appears 41 times in the Gospel
- Messianic Secret
  - Christ telling people "don't tell anyone" - daughter of Jairus, demons screaming, etc.
  - Why would Christ want to keep it a secret?
    - People had a different idea of who the Messiah was going to be (an earthly king, military ruler, etc). So the knowledge that the Messiah is here would have attracted the wrong crowd.
    - The first time Christ allowed them to take Him in as the Messiah is Palm Sunday... and He was dead by Friday.

Gospel According to St. Luke

Author
Audience
- St Luke the Physician and Helper of St Paul
- Author of Book of Acts
- Nickname: Luke the Historian
Characteristics
- The Great Reversal
  - Jewish thinking was very Deuteronomistic - if you are rich, it's because you're good and God is rewarding you. If you are poor, sick, slave, childless, etc. it is because you did something terrible and God cursed you.
  - St. Luke reverses all of this thinking in his gospel
    - Christ comes and tells the parable of the rich man that went to hell and the poor man that went to heaven
    - The last will be first, and the first will be last
    - The righteous Pharisee and the Publican
- Salvation for Everyone (even the outcasts, sinners and people who are ignored)
  - The sinful woman who anoints Christ's feet is the one that is praised, not the Pharisee who hosted Him
  - Many women mentioned (Elizabeth, Anna the Prophetess, Mary and Martha (no mention of Lazarus), Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, etc.)
  - Good Samaritan (Samaritans were hated by Jews)
  - Jesus loves the poor "Blessed are the poor"
  - Zaccheaus the short tax collector
  - etc.
- Prayer and Praise
  - Angels glorifying God at the nativity
  - Zechariah raising incense
  - Christ "went up to the Temple to pray"
  - Prayer of Simeon
  - Prayer of St Mary
  - Prayer of Zechariah
  - Prayer of the Publican
  - Many references to Christ praying
    - Mark "Jesus chose disciples"
      Luke "Jesus prayed and chose disciples"
    - Christ praying on the Cross
  - Gospel ends with the disciples continually in the temple blessing God
- Repentance, Forgiveness, Humility
  - Prodigal Son
  - Thief on the Cross
  - Zacchaeus
  - Christ forgiving the executioners on the Cross "for they do not know what they're doing"
- Holy Spirit
  - More references to the Holy Spirit than any other
  - Zechariah, Mary, John, etc.

Gospel According to St. John

Author
- St John the Beloved, the Apostle, the Theologian, the Evangelist, the Virgin
Audience
- Everyone
Style and Characteristics
- "I AM" statements
  - The Light of the World
  - The Good Shepherd
  - The Door
  - The Resurrection and the Life
  - The Bread of Life
  - The Way, the Truth, and the Life
  - The True Vine
- Omits well-known stories
  - Doesn't mention the Last Supper or institution of the Eucharist, but instead tells us the Theology of the Eucharist in Ch 6
  - Doesn't mention the birth of Christ or genealogy but tells us "In the beginning was the Logos"
- Long Theological Discourses

Activity

Split into four groups - each group gets one gospel account (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John)
Read some chapters/verses (you can skim) of your respective gospel and make notes of some things that are indicative of the author's style
- For example:
  - In Matthew if you find "The Kingdom of Heaven" or if you find "The prophecy was fulfilled"
  - In Mark if you find "Immediately" or explanations of Jewish customs
  - In Luke if you find prayers, or Christ being compassionate to the poor, widow, tax-collector, sinner, etc.
  - In John if you find "I am" statements or long Theological discussions by Christ
Document your findings and share with the class

Week 3: Luke 1 Part 1

Readings:

Luke 1:1-38

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 1:1-25 - https://castbox.fm/vb/265860698
- Luke 1:26-38 - https://castbox.fm/vb/269110090
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Interpretations on the Gospel of Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0
Dr. Eugenia Constantinou
- Annunciation of Birth of John - https://castbox.fm/vb/203419796
- Annunciation of Birth of Christ - https://castbox.fm/vb/205217179

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/hdUso6fs7WEexDn57

Material

Week 4: Luke 1 Part 2

Readings:

Luke 1:39-80

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 1:39-56 - https://castbox.fm/vb/270396322
- Luke 1:57-80 - https://castbox.fm/vb/273150287
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Interpretations on the Gospel of Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/YTmc7tfpo9xjci6aA

Material

Week 5: Nativity of Christ Part 1

Readings

Luke 2:1-38

Resources

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 2:1-24 - https://castbox.fm/vb/275207522
- Luke 2:25-40 - https://castbox.fm/vb/275537362
Fr. Daoud Lamei
- Luke 2 - https://soundcloud.com/frdaoudlamei/07-02-1?in=frdaoudlamei/sets/luke
- Luke 2 - https://soundcloud.com/frdaoudlamei/08-02-2?in=frdaoudlamei/sets/luke
Dr. Eugenia Constantinou
- St Luke & Christ's Identity - https://castbox.fm/vb/207090626
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/yxD7GCFCqzwVffU46

Material

Week 6: Nativity of Christ Part 2

Readings:

Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 2:1-23
Luke 2:41-52

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef:
- Matthew 1 - https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/matthew-introduction-chapter-1-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/matthew-bible-study
- Matthew 2 - https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/mathew-2-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/matthew-bible-study&si=a599a257d51e4d07a1cfce359b28b839
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty:
- Matthew - https://www.dropbox.com/s/099xalzktfoetpo/040_Matthew.pdf?dl=0
Fr. Daoud Lamei:
- Matthew 1 Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTpk3VSna54
- Matthew 2 Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1YJhHI2x88
- Matthew 2 Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFQ1BjInAHk
- Luke 2 Part 3 - https://soundcloud.com/frdaoudlamei/09-02-3?in=frdaoudlamei/sets/luke
St. Jerome
- Commentary on Matthew - https://www.dropbox.com/s/28c1ol2ybu6u4g5/117%20St%20Jerome%20-%20Commentary%20on%20Matthew.pdf?dl=0
Dr. Eugenia Constantinou:
- Star and Wise Men - https://castbox.fm/vb/215831053

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/Nboe1gZ21AU8xp2e6

Material:

Matthew 1: HG Bishop Youssef (Just the section titled "Nativity of Christ")
Matthew 2: HG Bishop Youssef

Week 7: The Genealogy and Infancy of Christ

Readings:

Matthew 1:1-18
Luke 3:23-38
Luke 2:41-52

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Dr. Eugenia Constantinou
- Genealogy in Matthew - https://castbox.fm/vb/213715232

Quiz:

Material:

Matthew 1: HG Bishop Youssef (Just the section titled "Genealogy of Christ")
Luke 3b: HG Bishop Youssef (Just the section titled "Genealogy of Christ")
The Blood Curse of Jeconiah
- 2 Kings 24:8-12
  - Jeconiah reigned in Jerusalem for just three months and did evil in the sight of the Lord
  - During his reign, Nebuchadnezzar took Jerusalem and all of Judah captive
- Jeremiah 22:24-30
  - God instructs Jeremiah to record a curse against Jeconiah - that none of his descendants will prosper or sit on the throne of David or rule in Judah
- But this is problematic because he's the descendant of King David. We can imagine that the devil got excited about this... because on the one hand, the Old Testament keeps talking about how the Messiah will come from the Seed of David... but on the other hand, the Lord has just cursed the descendant of David so that none of his descendants can sit on the throne. Did God make a mistake?
- This is the Divine Providence
  - In the Genealogy according to St Matthew, it goes from King David to King Solomon (the first son of Bathsheba) down to Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) down to Joseph.
  - In the Genealogy according to St Luke, it goes from King David to Nathan (the second son of Bathsheba) down to St Mary.
  - So Christ inherits the Royal Lineage from King David through Solomon and Jeconiah, but is not a descendant of Jeconiah since Joseph is not His biological father... and yet, He is the biological Son of King David through Nathan and St Mary.
Can we really say Heli is the father of Jacob?
- Jewish Inheritance Laws when a man has daughters and no sons, are described in Numbers 27 (daughters of Zelophehad) and implemented in Joshua 17
- An example of it happening is in Ezra 2:61 and Nehemiah 7:63
- Many other examples
- Basically, when a father without sons, the man that marries his daughter is adopted by him as his son
Why don't we have more stories from Christ's childhood?
- Because nothing interesting happened! He lived as an ordinary boy... He learned carpentry, He took care of His mother after Joseph departed, etc.
- We know that He was ordinary because when He started to manifest Himself, the people in Nazareth were surprised! He had never showed any indication of anything supernatural or divine!
- The exception is the story in Luke 2
Luke 2c: HG Bishop Youssef

Week 8: The Forerunner

Readings:

Luke 3:1-20
Matthew 3:1-12
Mark 1:1-8
John 1:19-28

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 3:1-22 - https://castbox.fm/vb/278087324
- Luke 3 Powerpoint: http://www.suscopts.org/pdf/presentations/biblestudy/NT/Luke/Luke_03.pdf
Fr. Daoud Lamei
- Luke 3 - https://soundcloud.com/frdaoudlamei/10-03-1?in=frdaoudlamei/sets/luke
- Luke 3 - https://soundcloud.com/frdaoudlamei/11-03-2?in=frdaoudlamei/sets/luke
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/pn8K16dfKTTEMwMz7

Material:

Luke 3a: HG Bishop Youssef

Week 9: The Baptism and Temptation of Christ

Readings:

Theophany
- Luke 3:21-22
- Matthew 3:13-17
- Mark 1:1911
- John 1:29-34
Temptation
- Luke 4:1-13
- Matthew 4:1-11
- Mark 1:12-13

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 4 Powerpoint: http://www.suscopts.org/pdf/presentations/biblestudy/NT/Luke/Luke_03.pdf
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/LdZRBDs3c6tPRPEv7

Material:

Luke 3b: HG Bishop Youssef (Just the section titled "Baptism of Christ")
Luke 4a: HG Bishop Youssef (Just the section titled "Temptation of the Lord")

Week 10: The Lord's Ministry in Galilee I

Readings:

Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
- Luke 4:14-30
- Matthew 4:12-17
- Mark 1:14-15
Miracles in Capernaum
- Luke 4:31-44
- Matthew 4:23-25
- Mark 1:21-39

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 4 Powerpoint: http://www.suscopts.org/pdf/presentations/biblestudy/NT/Luke/Luke_04.pdf
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/ynvmp7fhJnEjBWQ29

Material:

Luke 4a: HG Bishop Youssef (Section titled Galilean Ministry)
Luke 4b: HG Bishop Youssef

Week 11: The Lord's Ministry in Galilee II

Readings:

Calling of the Galilean Fishermen
- Luke 5:1-11
- Matthew 4:18-21
- Mark 1:16-20
Jesus Heals the Leper
- Luke 5:12-16
- Mark 1:40-45
- Matthew 8:1-4
Jesus Heals the Paralytic
- Luke 5:17-26
- Matthew 9:1-8
- Mark 2:1-12

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 5 Powerpoint: http://www.suscopts.org/pdf/presentations/biblestudy/NT/Luke/Luke_05.pdf
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/ns3aG5Bx9PznuVcx6

Material:

Luke 5a: HG Bishop Youssef

Week 12: Jesus Responds to the Pharisees

Readings:

Calling of Levi
- Luke 5:27-32
- Matthew 9:9-13
- Mark 2:13-17
Jesus is Questioned about Fasting
- Luke 5:33-39
- Mark 2:18-22
- Matthew 9:14-17
The Sabbath
- Luke 6:1-11
- Mark 2:23-3:6
- Matthew 12:1-14

Resources:

HH Pope Shenouda II
- The Spirituality of Fasting: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ujgqs1ct6givkm4/The%20Spirituality%20of%20Fasting%20-%20HH%20Pope%20Shenouda%20III.pdf?dl=0
HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 5 Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-5-27-39-bible-study
- Luke 6 Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-6-1-26-bible-study-english-arabic
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/frDtScW9zet5BQe99

Material:

Luke 5b: HG Bishop Youssef
Why do we fast in the Orthodox Church?
- The Lord was not against fasting... but rather, there is a time for it and the time of the Bridegroom is not it
- This is why we are not even allowed to fast during the Holy 50 Days of the Resurrection - because the Bridegroom is with us
- We see at the Transfiguration of Christ that two people appear next to Him: Moses and Elijah
  - Moses, Elijah, and the Lord Himself all fasted 40 days
  - It's a message for us that by conquering the body through fasting, the spirit becomes manifest and the body is transfigured.
- Fasting is the earliest commandment known to mankind
  - God commanded Adam and Eve to refrain from eating a certain fruit from a certain tree
  - God set for the body certain limits beyond which it should not go
- By abstaining from food, man rises above the level of the body and above matter
  - If the first man had succeeded in triumphing over his bodily desire for food, it would have proven that his soul had overcome his bodily desires
  - Nevertheless, his own body defeated him
  - "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)
- The Prophets Fasted
- The Apostles Fasted
- Whole Nations Fasted
- Fasting is a Gift
  - Not merely a commandment, but a godly gift with grace and blessing
- Fasting precedes every grace and service
  - Preparation for receiving every blessing
    - Before every feast, we fast
    - Before receiving the Eucharist, we fast
  - Precedes every Service
    - A priest fasts 40 days when he is ordained before starting his ministry
    - The Lord, Himself, fasted before starting His service
    - The Apostles fasted after receiving the Holy Spirit
- Fasting unites us as a Church
- There is joy in fasting - a spiritual person will find it
As we are approaching the Advent Fast next week, let us take some practical steps to prepare ourselves for fasting...
- Sit with your Father of Confession to arrange for the fast - what kind of spiritual canon will he give you?
- Finish the meat and dairy that is in your fridge so we don't come next Wednesday and say "well I just need to finish what we have and then we'll start fasting"
- Plan a Thanksgiving Dinner with your family for Sunday or Monday so you don't postpone the fasting until after Thanksgiving... and then until after we finish the leftovers
Luke 6a: HG Bishop Youssef (Sections titled: "Introduction", "Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath", "Healing on the Sabbath", "The Twelve Apostles")

Week 13: The Constitution of Christianity I

Readings:

The Lord's Sermon
- Luke 6:20-36

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 6 Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-6-27-49-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0
Story about Turning Other Cheek:
- http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2011/01/turn-the-other-cheek-from-the-desert-fathers/

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/ZUvgN5tX29QDRepd6

Material:

Luke 6a: HG Bishop Youssef (Sections titled: "The Beatitudes", "The Woes")
Luke 6b: HG Bishop Youssef (Section titled: "Love Your Enemies")

Week 14: The Constitution of Christianity II

Readings:

The Lord's Sermon
- Luke 6:37-49

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 6 Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-6-27-49-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0
Story about Turning Other Cheek:
- http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2011/01/turn-the-other-cheek-from-the-desert-fathers/

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/BptGnynXGWHXfhAv6

Material:

Luke 6b: HG Bishop Youssef (Sections titled: "Do not Judge", "A Tree is Known by Its Fruit", "Build on the Rock")

Week 15: Luke 7 Part 1

Readings:

Luke 7:1-50

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 7 Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-7-1-28-english-arabic?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
- Luke 7 Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-7-29-50-bible-study-english-arabic?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/U4iG5iyFZMick6NZ7

Material:

Luke 7a: HG Bishop Youssef
Among those born of women...
- St Ambrose:
  - If Jesus is born of a woman, how is John the Baptist the greatest among those born of women?
  - If Jesus is the Prophet spoken of by Moses, then how is John the Baptist the greatest prophet?
  - "I maintain both that the Lord is the Prophet of prophets and that John is greater than all, but of those born of a woman, not of a virgin. He was greater than those to whom he could be equal in the condition of birth. Another nature is not to be compared with human generations. There can be no comparison between man and God, for each is preferred to his own. There could be no comparison of John with the Son of God, so that he is thought to be below the angels." - St Ambrose
- St Cyril of Alexandria:
  - How and in what manner is he greater? In that the blessed John, together with as many as preceded him, was born of woman, but they who have received the faith are no longer called the sons of women, but as the wise Evangelist said, "are born of God." (John 1:12) - St Cyril of Alexandria
Luke 7b: HG Bishop Youssef (Section titled: "John the Baptist sends Messengers to Jesus")

Week 16: Luke 7 Part 2

Readings:

Luke 7:36-50
Luke 8:1-3

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 7 Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-7-29-50-bible-study-english-arabic?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
- Luke 8 Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-8-1-25-bible-study-english-arabic?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Luke 7b: HG Bishop Youssef (Section titled: "A Sinful Woman Forgiven")
Luke 8a: HG Bishop Youssef (Section Titled: "Many Women Minister to Jesus")

Week 17: Hear the Word of God

Readings:

Luke 8

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 8 Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-8-1-25-bible-study-english-arabic?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
- Luke 8 Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-8-26-56-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Parable of the Sower
- Read verses 4-8
- Explain the parable
- Read verses 11-15 - The Lord tells us what the Parable means
- Some points:
  - The Lord used images that were familiar to them... sower, fishing, vineyard, servant/master, etc.
  - The seed is the Word of God..
    - Without a sower, what good is the seed? This is because the word of God is actually the words of God, and words backed up by the power of God
    - Seeds and plants are living things just as "the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
    - The same seed is being used in all of the different soils, but having a very different effect
  - The soils
    - Each soil produces a plant that's progressed more than the one before it
    - The point of the parable is not for me to see which soil I am and then lament because I'm Rocky or Thorny or by the wayside... but for me to ask "how can I be the good soil"
  - Wayside
    - Those who hear and then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts
    - These are the people who only get as far as hearing the word, but don't even receive it with joy... someone who will hear a sermon and criticize the person who is giving it, or those who hear and doubt. Satan knows the power of the word of God, so he will try to quench it as early as possible.
    - Example: I hear a lesson about tithing, and I think "well he just wants money" or "well I don't trust what the church is doing with my money so I'm not going to do that"
  - Rock
    - Those who hear and receive the word with joy, but have no root and fall away in time of temptation
    - Many times we will hear a sermon, or a Bible verse, or a Sunday School lesson, and we will say "wow what a great lesson I really liked it" or we walk out of the lesson very happy - but in the end, there is no fruit. We go home and don't do it.
    - Example: I hear a lesson about tithing, and I think "wow these are all good points" but I don't take an action for myself
  - Thorns
    - Those who hear, go out and are choked with cares, riches and pleasures of life, bearing no fruit
    - This person hears, and agrees to do it, but gets distracted by the chores of life
    - Example: I hear a lesson about tithing, and I think "I'm gonna start next week!" and then next week the bills come in, or the new game I'm waiting for comes out... and I say "well the tithes can wait"
  - Good Ground
    - Those who hear and do and bear fruits
    - This person hears, and does. He bears fruits.
    - Example: I hear a lesson about tithing, realize I'm not doing my part, so I start to do it immediately. And from the tithing I grow spiritually, and the Lord blesses me in my work, and the Church can better help the community
Purpose of Parables
- Read verses 9-10 again
- An easy way to learn the lessons in a language and with illustrations that they can understand
- Seeing they may see, and hearing they may not understand
  - This seems harsh but it is related to the parable!
  - The Lord is referencing Isaiah 6
    - Isaiah saw a great image of the Seraphim glorifying God to one another "Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts and then he stood in shock and a seraphim came and put a coal on his lips... and the Lord said "whom shall I send?" and Isaiah said "Here I am! Send me!"
    - Then the Lord told him "Go and tell the people - keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive. Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return and be healed."
    - So Isaiah asked "Lord, how long?"
    - And the Lord said: "until the land is desolate"
  - The Lord knew their stony hearts and how they were not accepting His message, but they are accepting His miracles and are enjoying His parables. They are like the Rock, who receive the parable with joy, but have no foundation.
  - But to the Disciples, it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God
    - The disciples will be priests who need to spread the faith throughout the whole world
    - The disciples will need to be discerners of people - to understand who is Wayside, who is Rock, who is Thorns - and to give the message to each one in a way they will accept it.
  - The Lord is laying the foundation for the Church - He will perform the act of salvation on the Cross, but He gives it to the Disciples to spread the faith through the Church throughout all nations
  - The disciples doesn't just mean "the twelve disciples" - but all of those who were following Him. Including the women that we read about in the beginning of the chapter. The twelve, however, will have the role of priesthood
Parable of the Light
- Read verses 16-18
- Explanation
  - You wouldn't light a flashlight and throw it under the bed...
  - Especially in those days, oil wasn't free... so lighting a lamp and putting it under a basket would be a waste of oil and money and everything
- Therefore, take heed how you hear
  - This is a continuation of the message from the Parable of the Sower
  - If you're gonna light a lamp, you do it for people to see. Jesus isn't preaching to hear Himself talk... He is telling them these things for a reason.
  - There will be accountability down the road... everything that we hear, we will be accountable for it.
  - What did I do with what I heard?
    - Did I ignore it?
    - Did I say "wow good speech" and then do nothing?
    - Or did I bear fruit?
- Whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him
  - Who has: the person who really hears... to him, more will be given
    - If we are seeking understanding and seeking His wisdom, and trying to put it in practice, then that will be rewarded.
    - "But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
    - God will never turn someone away who is pursuing Him, or trying to put into practice what He said
    - More what?
      - More understanding
      - More knowledge of Him
      - Closer to Him
      - etc.
      - Not more money, better job, etc.
    - Salvation is a continual process of drawing closer to God and growing in these things. And when we receive more, we are responsible for it.
  - Whoever does not have: the person who doesn't really hear...
    - Sometimes Lisa talks to me while I'm on the computer or something and I'll nod my head and say "uh-huh" and "yeah" and it ends up that I didn't hear a word she said...
    - Sometimes we do this with God.
    - We hear a Sunday School lesson and nod our head and stare at the screen and repeat some answers back... but in the end
    - Even what he seems to have... even what he thought he heard will be taken away.
Jesus' Mother and Brothers
- Read verses 19-21
- These verses are a continuation of the previous stories... all of them are related
- Jesus is saying that what really makes them My mother and brothers is that they hear the Word of God and do it.
- Who are the brothers?
  - Relatives of the Lord - cousins, etc.
  - James the "brother of the Lord"
  - It was common in those days to call a close relative "a brother"
  - St Mary did not have other children after the Lord Jesus Christ
Wind and Wave obey Jesus
- Read verses 22-25
- This story reminds us of the story of Jonah
  - Jonah is called by God to go to Nineveh... so he went the opposite direction. Sometimes we give him grief, but it's like telling one of you to go to Iran and tell ISIS that in three days God will destroy them... it's not easy
  - But as he's going the opposite direction, he's on a boat and a big storm comes... and all the mariners, who are pagans, start praying. And they go to Jonah and find him sleeping and ask "what do you mean by this?"
  - And Jonah says "I know why this is happening... it's my God because I disobeyed Him. Listen, just throw me off the boat and you will be completely fine."
  - They do it and the storm subsides
  - Now, we have the disciples of the Lord on a boat, and a windstorm comes, and the boat is filling with water... They were in jeopardy... and they go to the Lord and how do they act? They are panicking!
    - They don't say "well Lord, come and take care of this storm"
    - Or "Lord, we know that we will be fine because You are with us"
    - They don't even stand and pray as the pagan mariners did
    - But they go to the Lord and say "We are perishing" as if to say "and you are perishing with us!"
  - The Lord rebukes the wind and water and it stops and He asks them "Where is your faith?"
- Where is your faith?
  - The disciples had heard more than anyone else, from the teachings of the Lord... but when reality hit them.. panic!
  - So what do they know about Jesus? Who do they think He is? If He's the Messiah, how would He perish with them and drown?
  - St Luke juxtaposes this with the previous stories
    - First he tells us what we need to do (be the good soil, etc.)
    - Then he shows us how most of us act in reality
  - Do I act like this?
    - I go out to my car and it doesn't start... my first thought isn't to pray. Not to trust God... but to try to fix it myself, or to think of "how much money is this gonna cost" or "ugh this will be such a hassle." Maybe in a few days after it actually runs, I'll say "thank God" - and I won't really mean it but I'll say it
      - We might be judgmental of the disciples, but car not starting is minor compared to being in a boat in a storm with water coming into the boat
Demon Possessed Man
- Read verses 26-39
- In contrast to the disciples who asked "Who can this be?" - the demon knows "Jesus, Son of the Most High God"

Week 18: Do not be afraid, Only Believe

Readings:

Luke 8

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 8 Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-8-1-25-bible-study-english-arabic?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
- Luke 8 Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-8-26-56-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/mccwBeP8Ebe27S3L8

Material:

Luke 8b: HG Bishop Youssef

Week 19: The Disciples Start Their Ministry

Readings:

Luke 9

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/ABpbhthpBXNFHNTKA

Material:

Luke 9a: HG Bishop Youssef

Week 21: Luke 10

Readings:

Luke 9:57-62

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

https://forms.gle/T2bR4mkK261caRJL8

Material:

Read Luke 9:57-62
- "I will follow You wherever You go"
  - People thought the Messiah was coming to be a king, and a military ruler, and take away the wrath of the Roman Empire and overthrow them...
  - So some people wanted to follow Him with the expectation to be royalty in this new Kingdom
    - Like in the days of King David - King David was roaming when running away from King Saul, but at the end of the day, he became king and those who were good to him before he became king, were rewarded
  - The Lord tells him that he won't be getting a palace or a mansion or anything out of this. No possessions
- "Follow me"
  - If you are going to follow the Lord, you may need to turn your back on the things of this world... including family
  - Some people accuse the Lord of ignoring the commandment to "honor thy father and mother" - but that's not what He's saying. He's saying that if you follow Christ, you will find conflicts.
  - This is especially true of St Luke's audience... Gentiles.
    - In those days, if you're a Gentile who decided to become a Christian it wasn't just "I'm giving up my Sunday mornings" - your whole life was going to change
      - No more social functions and city-wide festivals because they sacrifice to idols there
      - No more politics
      - Can't hang out in your family's house because they have household gods and they sacrifice to them
      - Can't eat at their table anymore
      - You might become a vegetarian because all of the meat at the market was sacrificed to idols
      - You'll be criticized as not doing your duty to your family or ignoring your city
      - You might lose your job
      - You might lose your home
    - You had to give those things up
    - If any of those things was more important to you than Christ, then you won't be able to enter the Kingdom of God
  - The same is true for us today
    - We have been blessed not to face that kind of persecution in the US (compared to the Middle East, for example) but that can change at any time
    - In Russia in 1910, no one would have ever thought they'd be persecuted for being a Christian... by 1918 - only 8 years later - the communists had taken over and there was a Civil War and they went around and killed Christians. They took away the rights of Christians to own property, to teach religion, to practice their faith.
    - And now we're seeing the rise of communism in the USA and lots of people thinking it's a good idea
    - We must be prepared to choose between our faith and our possessions
    - And even now, we sometimes have to choose - between coming to Vespers or going to a Soccer game... between coming early for confession and staying home playing video games... between waking up early for liturgy, or staying up late the night before watching movies. What am I going to choose?
Read Luke 10:1-15
- The seventy are a group of followers of Christ. We have the inner circle (Peter, James, John) and the Twelve (the disciples) and the Seventy and in the book of Acts, the 120
- He sent them to the places that He was about to go
- He gave them very similar instructions to the Twelve in chapter 9
- Don't go from house to house, don't go out looking for food, don't carry money with you... but take what you are given
- Heal the sick and say to them "the kingdom of God has come near to you"
- The city that doesn't receive you, will receive the same message that we saw in Ch 9 - wipe the dust of our feet off
  - "The very dust of your city we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you"
  - Even if they reject you, preach the message and leave
- "But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city"
  - What is "That Day"? - Judgment day
  - What happened to Sodom? - Fire and brimstone
  - In the last chapter, James and John asked the Lord to command fire to come down on the Samaritan village and consume them and the Lord rebuked them... is this a contradiction?
    - James and John wanted to do it now... they weren't being merciful
    - The Lord is talking about Judgment day - they have a chance to repent even until the day they die
  - Sometimes people try to pit God's mercy against His Judgment but the fact is that God is both perfect in His mercy and compassion, and perfect in His justice
    - We see two extremes in society
    - Atheists who complain about God's wrath and judgment and all of that and say "God is not merciful" - and they will look at a verse like this and say that.
    - Protestants or other Christians who focus on God's mercy and compassion and say "everyone will be saved" or "Be merciful like God and accept everyone"
- Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum, Tyre, Sidon, Sodom
  - Unrepentant Cities
  - Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum are Jewish cities
  - Tyre and Sidon are Gentil cities
  - Sodom is the Gentile city from the Old Testament that was destroyed by fire and brimstone
  - Matthew 11: "And you, Capernaum, who^[e] are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”
  - The Jewish cities that saw the signs and wonders of the Lord in them will be judged more harshly because of their greater unwillingness to repent
Read Luke 10:16
- He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me
- Three parts
- He who hears you hears Me
  - The Lord was giving full delegation to these disciples
  - When we hear the words written by St Luke in the gospel here, we are hearing the word of God
  - When we read the epistles of St Paul, we are reading the word of God
- He who rejects you rejects Me
  - This is the opposite side of the first one
  - Many nowadays say "I read the New Testament but not the Old Testament" - but if you reject Moses and the prophets, then you reject Christ
  - Or some say "I read the words of Christ but not Paul or Peter" and they "read the words in red" and reject and don't even consider the "words in black" - they are rejecting Christ
  - Or we might read a verse and someone says "well Jesus didn't say that, St Matthew did" or "St Paul did"...
- He who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me
  - The obvious one is the Jews who thought they were accepting God and His Law but rejected Christ... but for us to know God, we must know Christ. We will know God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ
  - Some also say "I believe in God but not in Jesus" - but how can you say that when Jesus is God?
Read Luke 10:17-20
- The seventy returned rejoicing
  - Don't rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven
- "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven"
  - The Lord reveals who He is
  - Who was there when Satan fell from heaven?
    - God and the angels
    - "Behold I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you"
      - Angels would not have this power... let alone be able to give it out
      - So He must be God
Read Luke 10:21-24
- Hidden these things from the wise and prudent
  - In those days, people thought Christianity was the religion of the undesirables - slaves, women, fishermen, poor people, etc.
  - In reality, it was those who humbled themselves and considered themselves sinners and made themselves disciples, that the Lord revealed everything to
  - Those who considered themselves better than others, did not understand or comprehend the Kingdom of God
- No one knows the Son except the Father and who the Father is except the Son and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him
  - How can I know God?
  - To know and to be like the Lord Jesus Christ
  - To become a disciple of the Lord
  - I know the Father through the Son
  - Some people say "The Father is in the Old Testament and the Son in the New Testament"
    - But if you read the Bible and understand it (and attend Bible Study) you'll find that even the whole Old Testament is about God the Son; the Lord Jesus Christ
- Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it"
  - Familiar? Litany of the Gospel.
  - Those in the Old Testament desired to see the Incarnation; the Messiah
  - Moses wanted to see! But He didn't get to see. King David waited and wrote so many psalms... but he didn't get to see. Isaiah and Jeremiah and Ezekiel all wanted to see... but they didn't get to see.
  - The disciples got to see.
  - And we get to see even more.
  - Why do we pray this before every Gospel reading?
    - Because the words we will hear in the Gospel are the words of Christ that those in the Old Testament wanted to hear.
    - We get to hear the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. We get to see and even to eat His Body.
    - We are receiving this same great blessing and honor that the disciples received.

Week XX: Luke 11

Readings:

Luke 11

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0
Fr. Daniel Fanous
- Taught by God: Chapter 6 - https://www.amazon.com/Taught-God-Making-Difficult-Sayings/dp/0881416630/

Quiz:

Material:

A House Divided Cannot Stand (Taught by God: Chapter 6)
- The Lord Makes a Logical Argument
  - You accuse Me of casting out demons by Satan
    - If this is true, then Satan as a divided kingdom
      - If this is true, his kingdom should have fallen
      - But we both know it hasn't fallen because souls are still captive in Satan's possession
    - Since it has not fallen, then it is not divided
  - If it is not divided, then I cannot possibly be in league with Satan
  - Thus, who am I in alliance with except God?
  - If I work by the power of God, then the finger of God displaces the kingdom of Satan
  - If Satan's kingdom is displaced, then the kingdom of God has surely come upon you
- "Finger of God"
  - This word is only ever used one other time in the Scripture: Exodus 8:16-19
    - ¹⁶So the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the land, so that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.’ ” ¹⁷And they did so. For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
      ¹⁸Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast. ¹⁹Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had said.
    - The Magicians were unable to replicate the miracle and thus conclude "this is the finger of God"
      - In the first two plagues, the magicians were doing the work of something other than the power of God (i.e. using demonic spirits) and they knew it!
      - But when, in the third plague, they couldn't replicate it, they knew that it was from God
      - The Lord uses the reference to make the same connection with the Pharisees... they know that if it is not from Satan, then it is from God.
- The Unforgiveable Sin
  - In the Gospel of St Matthew (12:22-32), this miracle and explanation are followed directly by the Lord's statement about the Unforgiveable Sin. In the Gospel of St Luke, the Unforgiveable Sin comes later:
    - "And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven." (Luke 12:10)
    - To understand the unforgivable sin "Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" we need to see it following this event
  - Two questions arise from this
    - What is this blasphemy that will not be forgiven? Is God not merciful and capable of forgiving any sins for which repentance is given?
    - Why is blasphemy against the Son of Man okay, but not the Holy Spirit? Is the Holy Spirit greater than the Son?
  - What is the blasphemy that will not be forgiven?
  - Why is blasphemy against the Son of Man forgivable but not against the Holy Spirit?

Week XX: Luke 12

Readings:

Luke 12

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0
Fr. Daniel Fanous
- Taught by God - Chapter 6 - https://www.amazon.com/Taught-God-Making-Difficult-Sayings/dp/0881416630/

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: Luke 13

Readings:

Luke 13

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 13 Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-13-1-21-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
- Luke 13 Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-13-22-35-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: Luke 14

Readings:

Luke 14

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 14 Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-14-1-24-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
- Luke 14 Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-14-25-35-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: Luke 15

Readings:

Luke 15

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 15 Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-15-1-10-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
- Luke 15 Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-15-11-32-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: Luke 16

Readings:

Luke 16

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 16 Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-16-1-18-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
- Luke 16 Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-16-19-31-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: Luke 17

Readings:

Luke 17

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 17 Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-17-1-19-bible-study-english-arabic?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
- Luke 17 Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-17-20-37-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: Luke 18

Readings:

Luke 18

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 18 Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-18-1-23-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
- Luke 18 Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-18-24-43-bible-study-english-arabic?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: Luke 19

Readings:

Luke 19

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
- Luke 19 Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-19-1-27-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
- Luke 19 Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/his-grace-bishop-youssef/luke-19-28-48-bible-study?in=his-grace-bishop-youssef/sets/luke-bible-study
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: The Raising of Lazarus

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: The Triumphal Entry

Readings:

The Triumphal Entry
- Matthew 21:1-11
- Mark 11:1-11
- Luke 19:28-40
- John 12:12-19

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: Pascha Eve of Monday

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: Pascha Monday

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: Pascha Eve of Tuesday

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: Pascha Tuesday

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: Pascha Eve of Wednesday

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: Pascha Wednesday

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: Pascha Eve of Thursday

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: The Washing of the Disciples' Feet

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: The Institution of the Eucharist

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: The Arrest and Trials of Christ

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: The Passions of Christ

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: The Crucifixion

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: The Death of Christ

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

Week XX: The Resurrection I

Readings:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Resources:

HG Bishop Youssef
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
- Luke - https://www.dropbox.com/s/81uupstc71zfyd9/042_Luke.pdf?dl=0

Quiz:

Material:

2022-04-27

Review of the Gospel of St Luke

Chapter 1
- Annunciation of the Birth of St John
- Annunciation of the Birth of Christ
- Visit of St Mary to St Elizabeth
- Birth and Circumcision of St John the Baptist
Chapter 2
- Nativity of the Lord Jesus Christ (Shepherds and Angels)
- Circumcision of the Lord
- Presentation of the Lord in the Temple (Simeon and Anna)
- Boy Jesus Teaches in the Temple
- Jesus grows in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and men
Chapter 3
- St John Preaches Repentance
- Baptism of the Lord
- Genealogy of Christ
Chapter 4
- Temptation in the Wilderness
- Jesus is rejected in Nazareth
Chapter 4-9
- Jesus teaches and heals and casts out demons in Galilee and Capernaum
- Jesus chooses 12 disciples and sends them out to minister
Chapter 9-19
- Jesus travels from Galilee towards Jerusalem to be lifted up
- Jesus continues to teach and heal and cast out demons
Chapter 19
- Jesus enters Jerusalem in Glory
- Jesus cleanses the Temple
Chapter 20
- The Pharisees, Scribes, Sadducees Question Jesus to try and trick Him
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
- The Last Supper
- Betrayal of Christ
- Arrest of Jesus
- Peter Denies the Lord
- Jesus faces mocking, beatings and the Sanhedrin Trial
Chapter 23
- Jesus faces Roman Trials with Pontius Pilate and Herod
- Crucifixion
- Jesus dies
- Jesus is buried
Chapter 24
- The Resurrection
- Disciples of Emmaus
- Jesus appears to His disciples