The Life and Ministry of Jesus

This course studies the life and ministry of Jesus as a model for life and ministry today.

This course studies the life and ministry of Jesus as a model for life and ministry today. It is not a thorough study of the Gospels. Instead, this course looks at selected aspects of Jesus’ ministry to gain lessons for ministry today. If you want to study the complete life of Christ, see the books listed in the Recommended Resources section at the back of the book.

If studying as a group, you may take turns reading the material. You should stop periodically for class discussion. As the class leader, you are responsible to keep discussion from wandering from the material being studied. It is helpful to have a time limit for each discussion period.

Discussion questions and in-class activities are indicated by this symbol ►. Whenever you come to one of these, ask the question(s) that follows it and let students discuss the answer. Please take time for meaningful discussion. Without this, students may fail to connect their study of Jesus’ ministry with ministry today.

Many scripture passages are listed throughout the course, both in the main text and in the footnotes. Passages that should be read aloud in class are also indicated by arrow bullet points ►. Students should read longer passages before class. Short passages should be read in class.

Sections entitled “A Closer Look” focus on special topics related to the lesson’s discussion.

Each lesson will include one or two assignments. If students want to earn a certificate from Shepherds Global Classroom, they should attend the class sessions and complete the assignments. A form is provided at the end of the course for recording the assignments completed.

One of the purposes of this course is to prepare students to become teachers. The class leader should give students opportunities to develop their teaching skills. For example, the class leader should occasionally let a student teach a short section of the lesson to the class.