Year of Preparation

The Life of Christ, Book 2

  • Analyses the first year of the ministry of Jesus (Year of Preparation).
  • Emphasises the preaching of John the Baptist, the repentance and the spiritual fruit.
  • Explains the main characteristics of the Pharisees and Saducees, the Sanhedrin, etc.
  • The baptism of Jesus introduces the doctrines of the Trinity and the attributes of God.
  • The temptation of Jesus is the basis for looking at the inspiration of the Bible and a reflection on materialism, pride and violence in contemporary life.
  • Presents the concepts of “synoptic” and “chronological” and uses the technique of comparison to unite Matthew with the rest of the “synoptics” and John.
  • Emphasises the extensive use of prophecy in Matthew. Teaches about the creed, the confession of sin and the use of symbols and examples in preaching.

COURSE CONTENTS:

1A The Preaching of John the Baptist Matthew 3:1–12
1B The Pharisees and the Sadducees

MTEE Practical Work: self-evaluation in relation to spiritual growth—repentance in practice

2A Confessing our Sins
2B Using the Bible in Confession

MTEE Practical Work: Using God’s Word in confession

3A Luke’s Gospel and the Year of Preparation
3B John’s Gospel and the Year of Preparation

MTEE Practical Work: Active listening

4A The Baptism of Jesus—Matthew 3:13–17
4B The Trinity

MTEE Practical Work: Active listening continued

5A The Trinity and the Apostles’ Creed
5B The Attributes of God

MTEE Practical Work: Active listening concluded

6A Jesus Christ Tempted as Son of God—Matthew 4:1–7
6B Jesus Christ Tempted as Son of Man—Matthew 4:1–11

MTEE Practical Work: Resisting temptation

7A Jesus’ Use of the Scriptures
7B The Inspiration of the Bible: Its Unity

MTEE Practical Work: An Evaluation of daily ‘Quiet Time’/Bible Reading habits. Bible Journaling

8A The Inspiration of the Bible: Its Fulfilment
8B The Inspiration of the Bible: External Evidence

MTEE Practical Work: Giving others reasons for believing the Bible is inspired by God.

9A Jesus and Nicodemus
9B Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

MTEE Practical Work: Sharing the Good News—1

10A How to Lead Others to Christ
10B The Year of Preparation—Revision

MTEE Practical Work: Sharing the Good News—2