What preparation for instruction began with Jesus’ incarnation?
(John 1:14, 18; 14:6-10; 2 Cor. 4:1-6; 5:16-21; Phil. 2:1-11; Heb. 1:1-4) Blog Oct. 25–31, 2020
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Our first parents learned through manual employment, governing responsibilities, and divine instruction. When rebellion disrupted their education, God in mercy God provided a Substitute that they might still learn from him and secure life everlasting. True education is best received when it comes from One who provides our every need and to whom we respond with loving obedience. God gave us his Law of Ten Commandments as a perfect form of instruction about himself and about how we should live for his glory. Together with the story of Genesis we can form a worldview that correctly informs us about the origin, meaning, morality, and destiny of life.
Who Jesus was (John 1:1-18; 17:3; Heb. 1:1-4; 2 Cor. 4:6)
1. According to Hebrews 1 what role did God give Jesus? That of being the Communicator of divine truth.
2. What position does Jesus occupy in God’s kingdom? That of Heir of all things.
3. What qualifications does Jesus have for being worthy of inheriting all things, humanity included? He worked with the Father & the Holy Spirit in creation, he is equal with God in glory & substance, he is continually working to uphold all things “by the word of his power,” & he redeemed humanity through his work on earth.
4. How does John describe Jesus’ role in joining the human race? As the light of life who illumines every person that comes into this world.
5. What are we to understand from John’s reference to Jesus bringing grace and truth to humanity? That Jesus came to teach & demonstrate the truth about God & to provide grace to fallen humanity for without grace we have no hope of eternal life, for grace is to be considered better than we really are.
6. What enters our hearts when Jesus’ smiling face shines on us? The light of the knowledge of the glorious character of God – this is the greatest education we can receive!
How Jesus taught (Matt. 7:29; John 1:14; Phil. 2:1-11; 2 Cor. 4:5-6)
7. What preparation for instruction began with Jesus’ incarnation? He humbled himself, though equal with the Father, by taking humanity with the results of 4,000 years of sin & not just degenerate humanity but he took the role of a lowly human servant, showing us how we must humble ourselves in order to serve others.
8. What should we learn from the fact that Jesus’ condescension did not end with his incarnation? That every one of us as learners & teachers must continually humble ourselves (this is our work – not God’s) in order to receive instruction & in order to reach others while teaching them.
9. What aspect of humbling ourselves does Paul mention in 2 Corinthians 4:5? That of not talking about ourselves, but rather talking about Jesus & what he did.
10. What method did Jesus often use in teaching? The use of parables, stories with a lesson.
11. How was Jesus’ method of teaching different than that of the scribes? Jesus taught with authority from above & not as the scribes who quoted numerous authors to make their point.
12. What effective method of teaching does Paul emphasize in 2 Corinthians 3:18? That of observing the behavior & person of our teacher.
What Jesus taught (Matt. 4:23; Mark 1:15; 4:2; John 1:14, 18; 14:6-10; 2 Cor. 5:16-21)
13. To what did Jesus continually call his hearers? To repent & believe the Gospel.
14. What was the continual theme of Jesus’ ministry? The nature of God & his mission for our salvation.
15. What was the theme of Jesus’ sermon found in Matthew 5-7? The theme of the sermon on the mount was how to be part of God’s kingdom & how to live as a believer in Jesus.
16. What was the theme of Jesus’ kingdom parables found in Matthew 13 and 20? The theme of these kingdom parables illustrates the current nature of God’s kingdom & who will remain in it forever.
17. What was the subject of Jesus’ Olivet discourse found in Matthew 24-25? In his Olivet discourse Jesus outlined the major events to take place during the Christian era & its final judgment followed by his second coming.
18. What was the theme of Jesus’ parables found in Luke 15? The theme of the stories in Luke 15 is the love of God for the lost & his effort to restore them.
19. What other major themes were common in Jesus teaching? The themes of giving account in a future judgment, of living in accord with the Word of God, & the work & necessity of the Holy Spirit.
20. What one-sided mission did Jesus accomplish in which we are now to be involved? That of reconciling the world to God & now we are to call others to be reconciled to God.