I Corinthians

Please read as much as you can of I Corinthians. If you are short of time, read Chapters 1-3, Chapters 6-7, and Chapters 12-13. Choose any one verse in I Corinthians you think particularly interesting, important, or hard to understand, and explain why you think this verse interesting, important, or hard to understand.

Acts (Session II)

Please read Chapters 13-28 of Acts. Choose a verse from this section that seems to you particularly important in explaining the rapid growth of the early church. Note how this verse sheds light on the leadership, finances, organization, etc. of the first Christians or what the verse shows about conditions in the Roman empire that may have been conducive to the spread and growth of Christianity.

Acts--Discussion I

What is one ingredient you think would be essential (or at least important) to the success of a new religious movement? Please read the first 12 chapters of Acts and see if you can find an example of the 1st century church either having or not having that ingredient.

The Gospel of John--Discussion II

Please read Chapters 11-22 of John's gospel.

Your 4th MT study question notes that, while the Gospel of John is in some ways very different from the synoptic gospels, it often complements and suplements the synoptics.

Choose a verse from the assigned chapters and a "parallel" verse from one of the synoptics on the same subject (e.g., money, leadership, faith, etc.). Compare and contrast the two verses.

The Gospel of John--Discussion I

Please read Chapters 1-11 of John's gospel, concentrating on the first four chapters. Cite one thing John includes that *isn't* in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Suggest a reason that this material may have been more important to John than to the synoptic writers. What is John's purpose in including the "extra" material?

The Synoptic Problem (Extra Credit)

Read a portion of the Gospel of Mark and a parallel passage in the Gospel of Matthew. Which version of the passage (if either) seems to you to be most likely the original version? Why?

You might find the online Gospel synopsis here some help, since it allows you to scroll through each gospel and put parallel passages side by side.