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Course Overview

Course Description

New Testament Survey 1 is the first of a two-part course. This first course in the sequence focuses attention on the study of the Gospels. The course also attends to various background issues, such as where the New Testament came from, how it was written, and how the particular texts that make up the New Testament were selected. The course does not require or promote any particular theological or denominational ideology, but instead encourages students to become good and interested readers of the New Testament.

In this course, students will examine:

  • The background of the New Testament
  • The Old Testament story that the New Testament continues
  • The canonization, transmission, and translation of the New Testament
  • The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) through careful reading

Objectives

  • Identify the four Gospels.
  • Describe the differences between the Gospels, especially concerning content and major themes.
  • Identify major covenants from the Old Testament and how they are fulfilled in the New Testament.
  • Explain how the New Testament documents were written, collected, and preserved.
  • Engage in questions of faith that are raised by the life and teachings of Jesus.

 

​Method

New Testament Survey 1 will achieve its objectives by means of:

  • Reading
  • Scripture memorization
  • Questions
  • Quizzes
  • Tests

Curriculum Contents

Unit 1: Background of the New Testament

  • Reviewing the Old Testament
  • Major Covenants of the Old Testament
  • Fulfillment of the Covenants
  • Intertestamental Period Part 1
  • Intertestamental Period Part 2
  • Intertestamental Literature
  • Overview of the New Testament
  • Composition of the New Testament
  • Canon and Translation

Unit 2: Introduction to the Gospels & the Gospel According to Mark

  • Genre
  • Meet the Author
  • Audience Purpose Theme
  • The Beginnings
  • Early Ministry
  • Healings and Miracles
  • On the Way
  • In Jerusalem
  • Death and Resurrection

Unit 3: The Gospel According to Matthew

  • Matthew the Author
  • The Birth According to Matthew
  • Jewish Religious Groups
  • Sermon on the Mount Part 1
  • Sermon on the Mount Part 2
  • Parables Part 1
  • Parables Part 2
  • Death of Jesus
  • Resurrection of Jesus

Unit 4: The Gospel According to Luke

  • Author Background Themes
  • Birth Story in Luke
  • Beginnings of Jesus’ Ministry
  • Luke’s Unique Parables Part 1
  • Luke’s Unique Parables Part 2
  • Stories of Outsiders
  • Last Supper, Arrest, and Trial
  • Crucifixion in Luke
  • Post-Resurrection Stories

Unit 5: The Gospel According to John

  • John the Author
  • Prologue of John
  • A Different Kind of Gospel
  • Structure of the Fourth Gospel
  • New Characters and Stories
  • The I Am Sayings
  • The Final Week
  • Trial and Crucifixion
  • Resurrection and Post-Resurrection

Supplemental Resources

Students will need access to a Bible, either in print or online.

A note about Bible translations: the student may use any translation of the Bible the student prefers. The lessons use the New American Standard Bible (unless the student has opted for the King James Version instead). These versions are chosen for copyright reasons, not as value statements about particular translations. Students may read assignments from any version of the Bible, and memorization assignments can be completed from any version the student chooses as well.

Students do not need any other additional resources to complete the course.

Charity Christian Academy