Sisters in Scriptures

New Testament Resources

Books:

The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles

The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ: Volume One

Jesus Christ and the World of the New Testament

Believing Christ, by Stephen A. Robinson

The Jewish Annotated New Testament




Lesson Quotes and Commentary

Lesson 1: Jesus and the New Covenant




Lesson 2: Forgiveness and Reconciliation 

Lesson 3: How Grace Works in Real Life

I think one of the greatest sermons on the grace of Christ is this one, Believing Christ,  by Stephen Robinson, that grew into his book, also called Believing Christ. You can get a little paperback of it for a couple of bucks at Deseret Book. I have given this book to so many people, including each of my graduating Seminary students. The central message of the book, and his classic parable of the bicycle, are in the talk (for free), so download it quick!

Robert Millett has also written extensively about the meaning of grace. In an explanation of Nephi's words, "We are saved by grace, after all we can do," he writes: 

"This does not mean that we must do everything we can do BEFORE Christ can assist us. This is not about chronology. Further, who do you know who has or will ever do ALL they can do? Grace is not just that final boost into heaven that God provides at the end of a well-lived life, although we obviously will need all the help we can get. Rather, the Almighty assists us all along the way, every second of every minute of every hour of every day, all through our lives. It does not mean that we will carry the bulk of the load to salvation and Jesus will fill in the gaps; he is not the God of the gaps. Our contribution to glory hereafter, when compared to his, is infinitesimal and minuscule. If I might be permitted a paraphrase of what the passage stated, “We are saved by grace, above and beyond all we can do, notwithstanding all we can do, in spite of all we can do” .

“Misinterpreting this means that people could be guilty of practically attempting to save themselves—a works-righteousness that discounts, understates, underappreciates, and even sets at naught the mighty work performed by our Savior and Redeemer.” ("Claiming Christ", p. 188 -189)

Here is the printed version of Elder Holland's talk: The Other Prodigal

Here is the pdf file of the article on the Temple: Dressed in White: Your Temple Experience. 

 Lesson 4: A Firm Mind: The Sermon on the Mount




 Lesson 5: What it Means to Be Born Again  

Here is a great podcast on the subject of Justification and Sanctification by Robert Millett and Brent Top.

Here is a great Ensign article on Justification and Sanctification by Todd Christofferson.

Great talk about how becoming sanctified is like becoming a pickle by David A Bednar, Ye Must be Born Again.

And here is the link to the touching story about the Mom who was ill, called The Power of Goodness by Janette Hales Beckham.

 Lesson 6: Living Water -The Woman at the Well 



There is a good article on the Samaritan/Jewish conflict in the study guide edited by Robert Millett:
 Studies in Scripture, Vol. 5, The Gospels

Here is a wonderful description of Jesus's encounter with the woman at the well, from a 4th century Christian commentator:

 “Our Lord came to the fountain of water as a hunter. He cast a bait for the dove so that through it he might capture the entire flock. She first saw him as someone thirsting; and then as a Jew; then as a prophet, and after that as god. As someone thirsting, she persuaded him; as a Jew, she recoiled from him, as a learned one, she interrogated him, as a prophet she was reprimanded, and as the Messiah she worshipped him.”               
                                                                      Ephraem the Syrian

For the progression of scriptures that describe Living Water, see the Topical Guide under LIving Water. They are also listed on the slides that are found under Slides and Recordings.

Here is the link to Dieter Uchtdorf's Oct 2013 conference talk, You Can Do It Now!  



Lesson 7: The Bread of Life

Some of this lesson was distilled from a wonderful book by M. Catherine Thomas titled Light in the Wilderness.  This is a remarkable book that links Eastern philosophy and practices with our Gospel principles. I keep buying this book for people because it really offers some tools for overcoming anger, fear, worry, doubt, and all of the other negative emotions that clog up our spiritual arteries! You might like it.

In the discussion of symbols I quoted Joseph Campbell. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading his work, you are in for a bit of a climb, but it is well worth it. He did a series of interviews with Bill Moyer for PBS many years ago that were amazing and summed up his life-long research into the various world mythologies. The series, and the book, are called The Power of Myth. That is a great place to start. And, just for inspiration, here is the Jos. Campbell quote that sits on my desk:

"We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us."                                                                

And while we are at it, here are a few more great ones!!


"Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy." 

"When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness."

"Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls."

Lesson 8: Jesus: A God of Miracles.

John uses the Greek word "semeia," or "sign" instead of the word for miracle used in the synoptic gospels. Thus, the first half of his gospel has come to be called the "Book of Signs." The seven signs of Christ in the first eleven chapters of John are as follows:

Changing water into wine (2:1-11)
Healing the nobleman's son from a distance (4:46-54)
Healing the invalid at the pool of Bethesda (5:1-9)
Feeding 5000 (6:1-14)
Walking on water (6:16-21)
Healing the man born blind (9:1-38)
Raising Lazarus (11)

 A further study of miracles may be found in the great book by C.S. Lewis, Miracles

For a more in-depth discussion of this topic, read Mary, Martha and Lazarus, by Gaye Strathearn in

The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ, Vol. 2: From Transfiguration through Triumphal Entry, p. 152-175.

Lesson 9: The Good News From Mark.

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