Discovering the Gospels

• 1
  Jesus is the Son of the Living God.jesus cross image by dwags from Fotolia.com
  
  Read a commentary of the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, for the accounts of Jesus' birth, His calling of the disciples and His demonstration of compassion for the poor, destitute and ill. Compare and contrast each gospel account to modern day circumstances, social injustices, community needs and modern day illnesses.
  
  
• 2
  Jesus' adult ministry lasted three years.jesus and mary image by Joe Houghton from Fotolia.com
  
  Compare the accounts of Jesus' ministry in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke for similar accounts of ministry events.
  
  
• 3
  Jesus taught the message of the kingdom in simple terms.jesus image by astoria from Fotolia.com
  
  Find instances where Jesus uses parables to explain spiritual principles in each account of the Gospels. Determine what some of the parables mean. An example of a parable is found in Matthew 13:47-50.
  
  
• 4
  Matthew's writings were focused on reaching the Jews.silver menorah image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  Research who the author is in each gospel. Write a small summary concerning the author's ethnic background, occupation and relationship to Jesus.
  
  

Discovering Acts

• 1
  The dove is a biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit.snow white dove image by Tammy Mobley from Fotolia.com
  
  Read chapter 1 of Acts to see the transition of Jesus on the earth to heaven and the release of the holy spirit in the lives of God's people. Write down Jesus' directions to His disciples upon His departure to be with His Father. Pay close attention to Acts 1:6-8, 12-15.
  
  
• 2
  The disciples of Jesus Christ were called the "People of the Way".stained glass window image by purplevine from Fotolia.com
  
  Outline the following section of Acts: The Fall of the Holy Spirit (Chapters 1-2). Determine when the church received the promise Jesus prophesied to them. Note in the outline who the main speakers were in Chapter 1.
  
  
• 3). Outline the Development of the Church (Chapters 3-8). Note important events, verses and characters in each section of the outline. Determine how the reception of the Holy Spirit impacted the church to grow. Find the main characters in chapters 3-8 and indicate the central role of each character.
  
  
• 4). Research in a bible commentary the following attributes of the Apostle Paul found in chapters 9-28. Determine Paul's citizenship, his former occupation and conversion experience. Create a time-line indicating the different missionary exploits Paul made.
  
  

Discovering the Epistles

• 1). Write down the name of each epistle in a notebook and read through each with a bible commentary. The epistles are: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Jude.
  
  
• 2). Read through each of the epistles again and determine who the writer is, the location of the recipients of the writing, who is the writer addressing and what lessons the writer was trying to convey.
  
  
• 3). Purchase bible study pamphlets for each of the epistles. The books will guide the study and provide thought provoking questions throughout the study. Bible study pamphlets can be purchased at any Christian book store.
  
  

Discovering Revelations

• 1). Research who wrote Revelations by reading chapter 1. Indicate in essay form what his state of thinking is during this phase of his life.
  
  
• 2
  The word church actually refers to the people rather than the building.church steeple image by TMLP from Fotolia.com
  
  Draw a table or chart and compare the characteristics of the different churches addressed in chapters 1 through 3. Determine which church receives the best compliments and which church receives the least favorable comments.
  
  
• 3). List at least 10 symbolic references out of chapters 4 through 22. Use a bible commentary to provide more clarity of the symbols found in the text.