Bible study.......... Synoptic Gospels
The Synoptic Gospels is a term used for the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. The Synoptic Gospels often recount the same stories about Jesus Christ, though sometimes with different details and lengths, but mostly following the same sequence and to a large extent using the same words. The term synoptic is derived from a combination of the Greek words that indicate the contents of the first three Gospels can be viewed side-by-side, whether in a vertical parallel column synopsis, or a horizontal synoptic alignment.
All four of the Gospels including John are in harmony, however the first three are so similar that the reader will at once notice the large amount of subject matter which is common to all three. Brief as these three parallel Synoptic accounts of Christ’s life are, they run parallel to one another in no less than 330-370 verses or about one-third of their whole account of Christ’s life here on earth. Amazingly, with the exception of a few incidents (68 verses), the whole of Mark is found in Matthew and in Luke.
In our course on the Synoptic Gospels we will do a lesson on all four Gospels to sho their major themes and focus, then come back and focus on the major teachings of Jesus such as the “Sermon on the Mount”, His Parables, and His teaching on His second coming.
Lesson 1 - Matthew
Lesson 2 - Mark
Lesson 3 - Luke
Lesson 4 - John
Lesson 5 - John the Baptist
Lesson 6 - Sermon on Mount
Lesson 7 - Parables/Mt 13
Lesson 8 - Parables/Luke 15
Lesson 9 - Parables/End Time
Lesson 10 - Crucifixion/Resurrection
Each lesson of the study of the Synoptic Gospels contains ten questions, with most questions requiring a written response of 250 words or less. If a person is familiar with the Gospels, most lessons can be completed in a few hours. Students should set a goal of at least one lesson per week, however this is not mandatory.
Each student can proceed at their own desired rate of speed.
Course Procedures:
(1) Each Lesson of the study of the Synoptic Gospels will be sent by email to the student. Students can ask questions by the Internet.
(2) Each Lesson of the study of the synoptic Gospels when completed will be returned to Four Soils Ministry by the Internet for grading.
(3) The Lesson of the study of the Synoptic Gospels will be graded pass or fail, comments will be sent back to the student.
(4) The next Lesson of the study of the Synoptic Gospels will be sent to the student after a passing grade is obtained on the previous Lesson. In the case of a student not passing an assignment, the student will be notified and given suggestions on how to obtain a passing grade. The student cannot receive the next Lesson until a passing grade is achieved.