THE GOSPELS
STUDY GUIDE 1.1
Lesson 1: Introduction to the Gospels
Section 1: Literary Character


OUTLINE FOR NOTES

Introduction

I. Literary Character

A. Genre

  1. Historical Narrative

  2. Greco-Roman Biography

  3. Biblical Historical Narrative

B. Reliability

  1. Access

  2. Candor

  3. Corroboration

  4. Training

  5. Theological Convictions

  6. Holy Spirit


REVIEW QUESTIONS


1. What is the literary genre of the gospels, according to the lesson?

2. What is the teaching of the lesson regarding the chronological order found in the gospels?

3. Why does the lesson quote Plutarch, a secular Greek historian from the first century? What does it show?

4. What was the intended audience of the gospels?

5. What was the prominent cultural orientation of the authors of the gospels?

6. Describe the access that each gospel author had to the facts about the life of Jesus.

7. What does the lesson say about the fact that the gospels candidly reveal the weaknesses and failures of the disciples? What does it show?

8. Were there any Greco-roman writers from the first century that mention Jesus Christ?

9. What is the name of the Jewish historian from the first century who mentions Jesus?

10. Does the Jewish Talmud mention Jesus?

11. Mention the evidence given in the lesson of the reliability of the gospels.


APPLICATION QUESTIONS

1. Does it worry you to know that the gospels do not necessarily report everything in strict chronological order?

2. Did this lesson strengthen or weaken your trust in the reliability of the gospels? Explain.