How to Teach the New Testament
The New Testament is the second half of Christianity's Holy Scriptures, the Bible. The New Testament introduces Jesus Christ, his life, his ministry, death and resurrection. The New Testament also is about the birth of the Christian church and the end times prophecies from the Book of Revelations. How the New Testament is taught depends upon the focus of the teaching. It can be taught with an eye toward religion, literature or history.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Focus on the key messages of the New Testament. In a series, these might include Jesus' birth and who he was, his life and the message of hope and love he brought, and his death and resurrection and their meaning. The series might end with a practical application of what Jesus taught about being kind to your neighbor. This could include helping out at the Red Cross or Salvation Army.
Another way to teach the New Testament in a Christian setting is by focusing on its key characters. These would include Mary and Joseph, Jesus, the apostles and Paul. Character studies bring into focus how the Christian message of the New Testament impacted those living during the time of the New Testament.
The New Testament also can be taught by focusing on key biblical events, such as the birth of Jesus, the star at Bethlehem and journey of the magi, miracles Jesus performed, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, and Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Ask why these events are important, what they reveal about Jesus and the Christian faith, and what relevance these events have for us today.
-
2
Teach the New Testament as literature. Not all teachings in the New Testament are religious. The New Testament is an ancient book that contains history and wisdom from its day. Ancient literature is a legitimate field of study, and the New Testament fits that category. In teaching the New Testament as literature, you can focus on how the people and events were shaped by their times and how the phenomenon of Jesus Christ shaped and changed his time.
You can look at passages such as The Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6:9-13, not only reading them and discussing the meaning, but also the faith expressed and the language. Another passage still used in weddings today is I Corinthians 13:1-8a---the Love Chapter. You can have students read this out loud to enjoy the economy of language that coveys deep love. You can use this passage to start a discussion about love, what it is, means and how it has been expressed in literature throughout history.
-
-
3
Teach the New Testament as a book of history. You can teach the New Testament in conjunction with current world events of the time and how the tiny country of Israel fit into the scheme of history and politics of the time. While studying Roman domination of the world, you can show how information from the New Testament reveals how people lived and how they thought during the Roman rule of their country. You also can discuss how New Testament teachings shaped European thought spiritually, socially and politically.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit hand holding
