World Literature 271                                        The New Testament Discussion Questions

J. Roth

 

#1

 

Group Members: ________________,  ________________,  ________________,

 

________________,  ________________

 

 

 

Please explain Jesus’ rationale for teaching in parables, pp. 969-970 (Matthew 13).  Next, brainstorm reasons why using parables would be an effective teaching method considering Jesus’ audience.

 

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World Literature 271                                        The New Testament Discussion Questions

J. Roth

 

#2

 

Group Members: ________________,  ________________,  ________________,

 

________________,  ________________

 

 

 

Please consider The Teaching of Jesus:  The Sermon on the Mount, pp. 963-967 (Matthew 5-7).

 

List as many basic principles of Christianity as you can find.

 

 

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World Literature 271                                        The New Testament Discussion Questions

J. Roth

 

#3

 

Group Members: ________________,  ________________,  ________________,

 

________________,  ________________

 

 

 

Trace the actions of Peter, pp. 970-972 (Matthew 26).  What role do his actions play in the narrative?  Whom might he represent?  How is he different from Judas Iscariot?  Can you find a ten-word quotation from Jesus in this selection that might explain Peter’s actions?

 

 

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World Literature 271                                        The New Testament Discussion Questions

J. Roth

 

#4

 

Group Members: ________________,  ________________,  ________________,

 

________________,  ________________

 

 

First, consider the parables on p. 968 (Luke 15).  Please state the meaning of each in a sentence.

 

 

Parable of the Good Shepherd

 

 

 

Parable of the Pieces of Silver

 

 

 

Parable of the Prodigal Son

 

 

 

Next, consider the parables on pp. 969-970 (Matthew 13).  Again, please state the meaning of each in a sentence.

 

The Parable of the Sower

 

 

 

The Parable of the Good Seed

 

 

 

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

 

 

 

The Parable of the Leavening (Yeast)

 

 

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World Literature 271                                        The New Testament Discussion Questions

J. Roth

 

#5

 

Group Members: ________________,  ________________,  ________________,

 

________________,  ________________

 

 

Please consider the following people/characters and list as many similarities as you can.

 

(For example, Gilgamesh, Achilles, Adam, Eve, and Jesus have supernatural births.)

 

Gilgamesh

 

 

Adam and Eve

 

 

Achilles

 

 

Odysseus

 

 

Oedipus

 

 

Jesus

 

Winter 2005 answers to this one:

 

All were leaders in their area of the world

All ended up in having to leave their areas

All encountered trials and tribulations

All talk about immortality

All show relations between Man and God/gods

All are searching for more god-like abilities

All are somehow controlled by fate

All are tested by God/the gods

All are arrogant

All have a strong belief system

All defied the status quo

All are partially human

All demonstrate/advise that rebellion against God/the gods will create problems

All—their lives are brought about by God/the gods

None were raised by both biological parents

 

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World Literature 271                                        The New Testament Discussion Questions

J. Roth

 

#6

 

Group Members: ________________,  ________________,  ________________,

 

________________,  ________________

 

 

 

What parts of the life and teachings of Jesus might appeal to the 1st century Jews?

 

 

 

 

What parts of the life and teachings of Jesus might appeal to the 1st century Greeks and Romans?

 

 

 

 

What parts of the life and teachings of Jesus might appeal to the 1st century gentiles?