Bible Workbook: New Testament

By Madison Laird

“very well done”

David Powell

Assistant Dean of Biblical Studies

Freed Hardeman University

“useful and appropriate curriculum for learning the Word”

John Weigand

Editor, Praise for the Lord

“insightful questions”

John Robert Hall

Founding Conductor, Madrigal/A Cappella Singers

Freed-Hardeman University

“honored just to be acknowledged”

James Tackett

Editor and Publisher, The Paperless Hymnal

This workbook contains extensive lesson outlines and questions for every major part of the New Testament. It is part of a series of lessons on the entire Bible. This workbook is appropriate for late teens to mature adults. Each lesson was developed and taught personally by the author.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781973659051

Madison Laird

Madison Laird has preached in dozens of churches in several different states and countries. He has thousands of hours volunteering and serving on the board of non-profits. In private enterprise he has started two companies and held key roles at the headquarters locations of both IBM and Cisco Systems.

Book preview

Copyright © 2019 Madison Laird.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version.

Scripture quotations marked ESV taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ASV are taken from the Holy Bible, American Standard Version (The Revised Version, American Standard Edition of the Bible). Public domain.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN: 978-1-9736-5906-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-5905-1 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 5/24/2019

Contents

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Lesson One: Matthew 1-2:23 and Luke 1-3:38

Lesson Two: Matthew 3-4; 8:2-4, 9:2-17, 13:54-58, Mark 1-2:22, 6:1-6, and Luke 3-5

Lesson Three: Matthew 5-7, 10:2-4, 10:12, Mark 2:23-3:19 and Luke 6:1-19

Lesson Four: Matthew 8:1-13 and Luke 6:20-8:3

Lesson Five: Matthew 8:18-9:35; 12:46-50; 13:1-53, Mark 4:1-34 and Luke 7:1–8:18

Lesson Six: Matthew 9:35-10:1; 10:5-11:1; 14:1-36; 15-16:12, Mark 3:31; 4:35-41; 5-6; Luke 8:19–9:17

Lesson Seven: Luke 13-17:10

Lesson Eight: Matthew 16:13-18, Mark 8:27-9, and Luke 9:18-10:34

Lesson Nine: Matthew 12:22-50; Mark 3:19-30; Luke 10:25-12

Lesson Ten: Matthew 19-21; 26:6-13; Mark 10-11:25; 14:3-9; Luke 18-19; 21:29-38

Lesson Eleven: Matthew 21:23-25:46, Mark 11:27-13:23, and Luke 20:1-21:28

Lesson Twelve: Matthew 26:47-27:30, Mark 14:43-15:19, and Luke 22:47-23

Lesson Thirteen: Matthew 27:3-10; 27:31–28, Mark 15:20-16, and Luke 23:26-24

Lesson Fourteen: John 1-3

Lesson Fifteen: John 4-5

Lesson Sixteen: John 6-8

Lesson Seventeen: John 9-13

Lesson Eighteen: John 14-21

Lesson Nineteen: Acts 1 and 2

Lesson Twenty: Acts 3-6

Lesson Twenty One: Acts 7-9:31

Lesson Twenty Two: Acts 9:31-12

Lesson Twenty Three: Acts 13-15

Lesson Twenty Four: Acts 16-17

Lesson Twenty Five: Romans 1-6

Lesson Twenty Six: Romans 7-11

Lesson Twenty Seven: Romans 12-16, and Acts 20:7-21:26

Lesson Twenty Eight: I Corinthians 1-4; and Acts 18:23-20:3

Lesson Twenty Nine: I Corinthians 5-10

Lesson Thirty: I Corinthians 11-16

Lesson Thirty One: II Corinthians 1-6:13

Lesson Thirty Two: II Corinthians 6:13-13

Lesson Thirty Three: Galatians

Lesson Thirty Four: Ephesians

Lesson Thirty Five: Philippians

Lesson Thirty Six: Colossians and Philemon

Lesson Thirty Seven: I Thessalonians

Lesson Thirty Eight: II Thessalonians, Acts 18:1-22

Lesson Thirty Nine: Hebrews 1-4

Lesson Forty: Hebrews 5-10

Lesson Forty One: Hebrews 11-13

Lesson Forty Two: James 1-3

Lesson Forty Three: James 4-5

Lesson Forty Four: I Timothy

Lesson Forty Five: II Timothy and Titus

Lesson Forty Six: I Peter

Lesson Forty Seven: II Peter and Jude

Lesson Forty Eight: I John

Lesson Forty Nine: II John and III John

Introduction

This workbook covers the New Testament of the Bible. Each lesson in this workbook is organized with notes and questions. The questions are all addressed in the notes for that lesson. Many of the Books of the New Testament are divided into chapters for the purpose of this workbook.

These lessons are a great way to learn about God’s word in depth and are suitable for any serious student. The material is appropriate for advanced high school, college, and adult use. This workbook is suitable for use in Church Bible Classes, College and University courses, and Bible studies. The lessons in this volume were developed for, and used in, a classroom environment for over two years.

The material follows a curriculum outline designed to mirror chronology. The first few lessons cover Matthew, Mark, and Luke and are arranged according to a harmony of the events that took place in the life of Jesus. Here the Gospel According to John is treated much as any other Book of the New Testament, and is covered by chapter, in its entirety, and in order. The only material omitted in this workbook is the book of Revelation.

All major sources, including the original Koine Greek text, have been consulted in preparing these lessons. For both translation and transliteration purposes, preference has been given, in order, to the following: the Christian Standard Bible (CSB), the King James Version (KJV), and the English Standard Version (ESV). Unless otherwise stated, the version of the bible used is the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).

The abbreviations (KJV, ESV and CSB) are used to indicate the translation used anytime a direct quotation for scripture is used, except if a single word (for example light or faith) appears in quotation marks. In those cases where New Testament authors quote or report that others quoted from the Old Testament, the Old Testament version of the quotation is referenced and used. Where multiple Gospel accounts record a single event, the account quoted is also referenced.

Songs are referenced about a dozen times in this workbook. Each time, the lyrics, music and copyright holder are listed. Please note that copyright holders occasionally change.

Every effort has been made to assure that this work is flawless. Still, this work is not inspired by God and the author is human. The author welcomes feedback on this work. Feedback may result in improved editions in the future. Please send such feedback directly to the author by addressing email to [e-mail].

It is the fervent hope and prayer of the author that this material results in a deeper understanding of God’s word among His people and those who are coming to know Him.

Acknowledgments

The author is especially grateful to three persons:

• Camha Nguyen, my wife who patiently and lovingly supported these efforts for years

• Aaron Curtis, preacher at the East Foothill Church of Christ in San Jose, CA who prepared the schedule of material which this author relied upon for two and a half years

• Betty Brown of Jackson, TN, who edited each lesson using notations on each line

In addition, the author wishes to thank the following:

• Leonard Brown of Jackson, TN for generating the printed copy of each and every lesson for the editor to use;

• David Barnes, the late Cle Riggins, and David Cooper of Miller Avenue Church of Christ in San Jose, CA for their role in educating and influencing the author;

• Stephen Mahan, of Morgan Hill Church of Christ for his role in educating and influencing the author;

• John Hall, John Wiegand, James Tackett and the Diana Singing, who have all influenced the author’s love of acapella music which is occasionally reflected in the song references in these outlines;

• All those other persons and institutions who have substantially contributed to the author’s spiritual development, including: David Powell, Josh Cook and the North Jackson Church of Christ in Jackson, TN; the late Tom Merritt and the State College Church of Christ in State College, PA; Yoshiya Noguchi and the Ochanomizou Church of Christ in Tokyo, Japan; Brent Willey and the Los Osos Church of Christ in Los Osos, CA; the Wanchai Church of Christ in Hong Kong, China; Dale Pauls and the Stamford Church of Christ in Stamford, CT; Dan Knight, Tom Bost and the Culver-Palms Church of Christ in Los Angeles, CA; Ralph Walker, Mark Brazier and the Natchez Trace Church of Christ in Nashville, TN; the late Dr. Ira North, Buck Dozier, Ray Walker, and Nick Boone of the Madison Church of Christ in Madison, TN; Goodpasture Christian School in Madison, TN, the late Tom Holland and Freed Hardeman University in Henderson, TN and countless others who through their messages and examples contributed to the author’s knowledge and experience base.

30175.png

Lesson One: Matthew

1-2:23 and Luke 1-3:38

• This lesson starts into the New Testament. There is only one Gospel – the good news of Jesus, but we have four accounts of the Gospel, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These lessons study the book of John separately since he did not write chronologically like the other three Gospel accounts, Matthew, Mark and Luke. These Gospel accounts are known as the Synoptic Gospels (the term Gospels is widely used as a shorthand for Gospel accounts) because they contain largely the same accounts in the same order and same language. This lesson looks at the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, including the ancestry that led up to his birth. It also looks at the only event we really know about from Jesus’ childhood.

• Luke’s Gospel account was addressed to a person named Theophilus as an eyewitness account describing consecutive events in detail.

• Luke would later write an account of the development of the early Church called the Acts of the Apostles to the same person. (Acts 1:1)

• We get two genealogical accounts of Jesus. Both Luke (Luke 3:23-38) and Matthew (Matthew 1:1-17) give genealogical accounts. Both Gospel accounts are identical from Abraham to David. There they differ. Matthew was written to the Jews and emphasizes the development of the royal line of descendants to prove Jesus’s legitimate claim to be a King, for that reason it starts backward and works forward to Joseph, Jesus’s father. Luke was not written to the Jews and therefore is focused more on lineage. For that reason, it starts from Mary (Jesus’s mother) and works backward.

• Before Luke ever gets into Jesus’s genealogy or birth, he covers the fact that the angel Gabriel appeared before a priest called Zacharias to the right of the altar he was using, and told Zacharias that his prayers were being answered, so even though he and his wife Elizabeth are old, they are going to have a baby who will be a predecessor of Jesus and that he will have the power of Elijah. (Luke 1:5-25)

• Some think that John the Baptist actually was the prophet Elijah. After all, Malachi did say that Elijah would come before the Day of the Lord. (Malachi 4:5). But John the Baptist denied that he was actually Elijah reincarnated (John 1:19-21), and Malachi’s prophecy was more likely fulfilled when Jesus was transformed at the Mount of Transfiguration and Elijah actually appeared there. (Matthew 17:1-9).

• Luke and Matthew both record an angel visiting Jesus parents to tell them that even though they had not ever had sexual intercourse, they would still have a son they would name Jesus who would change the world and be called names like Immanuel (God with us) and Son of the Most High. Matthew and Luke tell different stories. Matthew talks about an angel visiting Jesus father Joseph and tells him not to divorce Mary because God made her pregnant and she really was still a virgin. (Matthew 1:18-25) Luke tells of the angel Gabriel visiting Jesus’ mother Mary and telling her that she would have a child of God even though she had never had sexual intercourse, because with God nothing will be impossible. (Luke 1:26-38) (KVJ)

• Some people tend to venerate Mary. They are quick to point out that they do not worship her. But they do often picture her in their artwork, refer to her as blessed and even address prayers to her (which really is an act of worship). But we do not read of a single example or instruction of this kind of veneration. In fact, the only mention of Mary outside of the Gospel accounts is a brief mention of the fact that she was present among 120 people who were gathered together to worship. (Acts 1:14).

• Mary goes to visit her relative Elizabeth (the traditional view is that they were first cousins, but we don’t know that for sure). Elizabeth’s baby leaps for joy inside her and she is filled with the Holy Spirit. Mary acknowledges that her baby is special and will fulfill prophecy. She ends up staying with Elizabeth for three months. (Luke 1:39-56)

• At the birth of Elizabeth’s son, his father apparently cannot speak, and even though those in attendance want to name him Zacharias after his father, Zacharias writes on a tablet that the son’s name should be John (because that is what he angel has told him). Zacharias is able to speak again then, and he tells everyone that this child will be special and prepare the way for the Lord. When he is old enough, John then goes to live in the desert. (Luke 1:57-80)

• Luke is the only Gospel account which actually records the events of Jesus’ birth. Joseph and Mary had gone to a town called Bethlehem because the Roman emperor Ceasar Augustus had everyone register for a census in the town their family was from, and Joseph’s family was from Bethlehem so his whole family to be had to go there (apparently, it didn’t matter if your fiancée was 9 months pregnant). While they are there, Mary had to give birth and there was not an available hotel room for them, so they had to stay in the barn out back which was where Jesus was born. Finally, angels appear to shepherds in the fields nearby to tell them about Jesus’s birth. The shepherds go visit and describe for Mary what happened to them. (Luke 2:1-20)

• Eight days after Jesus birth, Jewish law said babies had to be circumcised and offerings had to be made – all of which was to happen in the temple. Joseph and Mary take Jesus to the temple and there are two very devout people named Simeon and Anna serving there who both recognize what Jesus represents. (Luke 2:21-38)

• There were some persons (wise men from the east) who apparently saw a star they interpreted as special enough to indicate that a person had been born King of the Jews and they went to worship Him. We don’t know much about these people and their identity has been hotly debated through the years, but they must have interpreted a lot through this special star and were confident enough in the specific meaning to follow it. They went to ask Herod, who was the King of the Jews that had been appointed by Ceasar Augustus. Herod secretly sees this as a threat and then tells them to go find the child and come back and tell him where the child is located. These magi, go, find Jesus, present gifts to him of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We know that gold is, frankincense (also known as olibanum) is a very rare oil used for health reasons, and myrrh is a salve or ointment also known for its healing properties. God warns them in a dream not to go back and tell Herod, so they don’t. (Matthew 2:1-12) (KJV)

• Herod realizes that the magi have not returned so he orders all males under two years old in Bethlehem and round about to be killed. This actually happens just like the prophet Jeremiah had predicted (Jeremiah 31:15), but an angel warns Joseph in a dream to take Jesus to Egypt (fulfilling yet another prophesy made in Hosea 11:1). When King Herod finally dies and his son Archaleus takes over, God tells Joseph in a dream that it is safe to go back to Galilee, where they are from. (Matthew 2:13-23) Jesus continues to grow and become strong there. (Luke 2:39-40)

• When Jesus was twelve his family made their annual visit (with a lot of their friends and relatives) to Jerusalem for Passover. When they were returning Joseph and Mary realized Jesus was not with them. They went back to Jerusalem and looked for him for three days! They finally found him in the temple, asking questions and answering questions – which amazing very scholarly people were there. After Joseph and Mary expressed their consternation, Jesus just told them he be about my Father’s business which they didn’t really understand. Meanwhile Jesus just kept maturing. (Luke 2:41-52) (KJV)

QUESTIONS:

1. What does the term Synoptic Gospels mean?

2. What are the Synoptic Gospels.

3. How many Gospels are there? How many Gospel accounts?

4. Who was Luke written to and why?

5. What else did Luke write to the same person?

6. What are the major differences between Luke’s genealogy of Jesus and the one Matthew records?

7. What angels predicts a son will be born to a priest? What is the name of the angel, the son, and the priest?

8. Of what prophet does the angel say that this son will have the power?

9. Was Zechariah and Elizabeth son actually this prophet?

10. What do the angels tell Joseph and Mary specifically?

11. What is the only Biblical mention of Mary the mother of Jesus outside the Gospel accounts?

12. What happens when Mary goes to visit Elizabeth? How long does she stay?

13. What are the events that take place when Elizabeth has her son?

14. Where was Jesus born and why?

15. Why do the shepherds nearby go and visit Jesus?

16. What happens eight days after Jesus birth? Who are Simeon and Anna?

17. Who are the magi and how do they know to worship Jesus?

18. Who was Herod and what his relationship with the magi?

19. What gifts do the Magi present Jesus?

20. What did Herod do when the magi didn’t return?

21. Why did Joseph take Mary and Jesus to Egypt?

22. What prophesies were fulfilled by the answers to questions 20 and 21?

23. Why did Joseph finally bring his family back? Where did they settle?

24. What happened when Jesus was 12?

30189.png

Lesson Two: Matthew 3-4; 8:2-4, 9:2-17, 13:54-58, Mark 1-2:22, 6:1-6, and Luke 3-5

• In the last lesson we looked at the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. We noted the reason for the differences in Luke’s genealogy of Jesus and the genealogy which Matthew gives. Matthew recounts an angel visiting Joseph, Jesus’s father, and tells him to go forward with the marriage because the pregnancy was caused by God while Luke tells of the angel Gabriel visiting Jesus’ mother Mary and telling her that she would have a child of God even though she had never had sexual intercourse, because nothing is impossible with God. We noted that Mary went to stay with her relative Elizabeth for three months while Elizabeth was pregnant too. Even though they are old, Elizabeth and Zacharias still have a son they name John (who will become John the Baptist). When Jesus is finally born, a star appears, and some wise persons correctly interpret the star to mean that Jesus has been born so they take gifts and go to Jerusalem to look for Him, then they ask the current Roman puppet ruler there named Herod. Herod perceives this as a threat and so he tells them to return after worshiping and tell him where Jesus is. They find Jesus and give Him gifts but an angel tells them not to back to go back to Herod, so they don’t. Herod realizes that the magi have not returned so he orders all males under two years old in Bethlehem and round about to be killed. When King Herod finally dies and his son Archaleus takes over, God tells Joseph in a dream that it is safe to go back to Galilee, where they are from. Jesus continues to grow and becomes strong there. We don’t read a lot about Jesus’ early adulthood, but we