Week One: In the Beginning

Week One of our New Testament class began with a history of the four Gospels and a look at the birth of John the Baptist. We talked about how the Gospels came to be written in Greek and disseminated to the early Christian congregations. The stories of Jesus were told and cherished for years, but the first written Gospel dates from about 30-40 years after the death of Christ.

How each Gospel writer begins his narrative has much to do with the emphasis of that author. Mark, the oldest Gospel, focuses on the mission of Christ beginning with his baptism by John. Matthew begins with a genealogy and places Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Luke brings a personal touch with the details of conversations that occurred between Mary and Elizabeth, and the thoughts of Mary at the birth of her divine Son. John takes a cosmological approach, beginning with the same words as the Old Testament, "In the beginning," and establishing Jesus as the creator of the universe. The first three gospels are known as "synoptic," meaning seen together, since they cover similar material. 80-90% of the material in John is unique to that Gospel.

We also took a look at the temple in Jerusalem, and the role that priests like Zacharias played, as they came to volunteer at the times of festivals. Check the "Digging Deeper" section for a couple of videos and articles that might be of interest in your further study.

Question of the Week

Each week we will have a "Question of the Week" to consider and discuss during the next session. This week's question comes from 1 Nephi 11:16. Nephi asks to know the meaning of the Tree of Life, seen in his father's vision, and the Spirit of the Lord responds with this question: "Knowest thou the condescension of God?" That is the question we might consider and write about this week. What is the condescension of God? What does the angel mean by the question? What does it mean to us, now? Get a notebook and write your thoughts, and/or share them in the "Sharing" section.

Next Tuesday it is Christmas in September! We will be studying the birth of Christ. See you then!

Four Gospels Reading Plan

Welcome to the Del Mar Stake Sisters in Scriptures Bible Study Class. We will be reading the four gospels in the New Testament. We will study them in what is called a "harmony of the gospels," that is, by the events in Christ's life. Click on the "lesson schedule" tab for a reading plan. 

                                                                     

           

Sisters in Scriptures FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Here is the 411 on our class!

Where and when do you meet? We will meet Tuesdays at 11 am - 12 noon in the chapel at the Cardiff Building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1444 Lake Drive, Cardiff, 92007. Here is a link for directions: http://www.mapquest.com/?le=t&q=1444%20Lake%20Dr,%20Cardiff%20By%20the%20Sea,%20CA%2092007&maptype=map&vs=map&ICID=mqdist_patch_encinitas

There is a lesson schedule on this blog. We will take off during Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks.

What are we studying? The life of Christ in the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John during the fall. We will be using the King James Translation, but any translation you have is fine.

What do I bring? Your Bible, a notebook, and the manual if you have it. Here is a link to the manual:
http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product3_715839595_10557_21118_-1__195646

What shall I wear? Whatever you want. It is in the chapel, but it isn't church.

Is there childcare? Yes, for children one year and older. If you use the childcare you should also work there once every six weeks. There are sign up sheets. Please don't bring a sick child, and if you can leave your older children with a friend that would be great!

Is there homework? Only if you feel like it. I hope everyone will read the four gospels during the next four months, because they are so wonderful why wouldn't we? There is a reading plan on this blog. And I hope you will write your thoughts in a notebook or journal as you read, but nobody will be checking on you!

Is the class just for women? We definitely follow a non-discriminatory policy in our class, so men are welcome to attend, as long as they behave themselves!