New Testament Resources

New Testament Study and Teaching Resources

 "Speaking of the Bible, the Prophet Joseph Smith declared,

 'He who reads it oftenest will like it best." 

Teaching the Four Gospels: Five Considerations - Gaye Strathearn

Did you know that the Nativity in the Gospel of Matthew was written from the perspective of Joseph?  And the Nativity story written in Luke is written from the perspective of Mary?

Did you know that the story of Christ calming the tempest is about Christ's church, leadership, and discipleship? 

Did you know that the genre of "Gospel" seems to be invented by Mark?

Learn about the challenges of teaching the Four Gospels, and remarkable paradox of depth and simplicity when considering the authorship and audience of these works.
 
https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/volume-13-number-3-2012/teaching-four-gospels-five-considerations 


Jesus the Unorthodox Teacher- Matthew O Richardson

Simple.  "In truth, Jesus was a magnificent teacher because He was a magnificent man. In the case of Rabbi Jesus, one could not separate the message from the messenger. He was the message."
 
"Most teachers, whether modern or contemporaries of Jesus, define themselves according to their setting and audience. There is practicality in such responses, but in an unsettling way such answers reflect a common mind-set regarding teaching. A classroom, laboratory, specific meeting place, or audience defines teachers. As a result, teachers typically don’t assume a teacher’s stance until they are in the classroom or with an audience. Rabbi Jesus, in comparison, was not bound by setting. What was Jesus’ classroom? Who was His audience?"

"Jesus had an uncanny ability to connect with those in His tutelage through language. This connection was largely due to His ability to use the language of His students effectively. . Every word, tone, and form of His speech was meant to teach."
  
"Because of Christ’s passion to teach principles rather than pay obeisance to practice, Jesus’ critics often dismissed His teaching (and His teachings) as contradictory and irreverent. Those willing to look beyond the teaching of mere practice alone, however, see deeper principles at hand and find Jesus’ teaching beyond reproach. . .Whether healing on the Sabbath, forgiving sins, dining with disreputable company, or committing any of the other acts viewed by some to be in conflict with the law, Jesus was defined by principle and not by practice alone. Jesus never taught His followers to break with Sabbath-day worship; in fact, He commanded compliance. . . The Rabbi Jesus approached His teaching in a way that never obscured the principle at stake or the practice at hand."


https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/jesus-christ-son-god-savior/10-jesus-unorthodox-teacher


 Julie M Smith - http://www.byunewtestamentcommentary.com/about-us/contributors/julie-m-smith/

Specifically for teaching LDS Gospel Doctrine Class... quick reference, something to get you thinking. 
 
This first Gospel Doctrine lesson introduces the New Testament; the purpose of the lesson is to encourage students to study the New Testament. For an LDS audience, encouraging them to read the gospels as separate texts and to specifically look for their differences can be an eye-opening experience–something that would definitely motivate further study. (Did you realize that John has no parables or exorcisms? Allegories, but no parables. That Mark has no nativity?)

Matthew introduces Jesus via a genealogy, Joseph’s dream, wise men, etc. Mark introduces Jesus at his own baptism. Luke focuses on Elizabeth and Mary; John on the pre-mortal Christ (to use LDS terms). What effect does each of these introductions have on the reader? What does each writer emphasize; what is downplayed? And could we maybe spin these varied approaches to Jesus’ story into greater tolerance today for those who find different aspects of Jesus’ life and mission important? How can we tell the story of Jesus in a way that will resonate with our own audiences today–as missionaries, neighbors, and friends?

Purpose for writing the Gospels: Again, a quick reference. Strathearn's article above gives life, depth, and testimony to this chart.

Mark            Matthew      Luke           John

to encourage a group undergoing difficult trials and persecutions

to teach a community with internal divisions and external enemies

to challenge believers to put their faith into practice more fully

to strengthen a group ostracized by other Jews for their faith

Evangelical Symbols (Rev 4:7)

Lion

Human [or Angel]

Ox

Eagle