New Testament Bible Study part 2
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BIBL 110
David Anene
School Of Engineering, Liberty University
BIBLE 110: Introduction To the New Testament Dr. Matthew Rawlins
February 25, 2024
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N
EW
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ESTAMENT
B
IBLE
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TUDY
T
EMPLATE
I
NSTRUCTIONS
For this assignment, you will be studying a chosen narrative from the Gospels that includes a question asked by Jesus. You have chosen between the following three passages: 1.
Matthew 15:32-39
2.
John 5:1-17
3.
John 14:1-12
You will use the template below in order to complete a study of this passage. In your study, you will use the skills of Observation, Interpretation, Correlation, and Application that you have become familiar with through your reading in Everyday Bible Study, Approaching the New Testament, and The Inquisitive Christ
. You will also consult and cite at least three additional scholarly sources to be incorporated throughout this assignment. I. Introduction and Thesis Statement
The Gospel of Matthew, one of the four Gospels found in the New Testament, was authored by Matthew, a tax collector in Capernaum. Like many books of the Bible, Matthew contains numerous key lessons and teachings, with its primary theme centered on portraying Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. It highlights his fulfillment of Jewish prophecy and scripture, presenting him as the authoritative teacher, compassionate healer,
and embodiment of God's kingdom. Specifically tailored for a Jewish audience, the Gospel seeks
to demonstrate Jesus' relevance and significance within Jewish tradition while inviting belief in him as the promised Savior.
These distinctive characteristics of Jesus are evident in Matthew's account of the feeding of the four thousand. At the outset of this story, Jesus's compassion and love are prominently displayed. Refusing to let the multitude go away hungry, he instructs his disciples to gather whatever food they have. In Taylor Coolman's article "Hugh of St. Victor on 'Jesus Wept': Compassion as Ideal Humanitas," the depth of Jesus's compassion is explored, suggesting that his tears were not merely in anticipation of physical pain, but also stemmed from his profound empathy for lost humanity(Coolman, 2014).
Moreover, the power and authority of Christ are magnificently revealed in the subsequent
miracle: Jesus multiplies the meager provisions provided to him. In the article "What's in a Miracle? Feeding the Five Thousand," miracles are described as conveying messages in their essence. This indicates that Jesus's act of feeding the multitude transcended mere sustenance; it served as a profound teaching moment (Kobia, 2007).
Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is portrayed as the Messiah, embodying compassion, authority, and wisdom. Stories such as The Feeding of the Four Thousand underscore his dual role as both a compassionate healer and a divine teacher, using miracles as vehicles for conveying essential truths to his followers.
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II. Observation
A. I have read the passage in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB) and
a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You will find a copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in Logos.
o
Yes
o
No
B. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1.
Main characters: (List them)
Jesus Christ
The disciples
The crowd
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
Jesus called his disciples and told them he wanted to feed the crowd of people who had been with them for three days. But the disciples didn’t know how they would feed four thousand plus people because the food they had was so small. Jesus took what they had, blessed it, and fed the crowd, and they ended up having leftovers.
3. Story structure (inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action): (50-100 words)
Inciting incident: When Jesus called the disciples and told them he could not let the crowd go without getting fed.
Rising action: When Jesus and the disciples discussed what food they had with them and told the
multitude to sit down.
Climax: Jesus blessed the little food they had. He then shared it among the disciples and the crowd to eat.
Falling action: After everyone had eaten to their hearts' content, the leftovers were gathered, and several baskets were filled with the leftovers. Jesus then sent the multitude home.
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4. Question(s) asked in narrative:
How many loaves have ye?
Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?
C. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Questions” for observation. Remember to consult the list of items from the observation section in studying the Gospels in Chapter 17. This will help you be more detailed in your answers to “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how.” This is also an excellent place to consult scholarly sources to provide detailed answers regarding context
.
1. Who:
Jesus, his disciples, and, in my opinion, the main focus of the passage is the crowd. The passage was mainly centered around the crowd that was with Jesus. Without the crowd, there would have
been no need for Jesus to perform the miracle.
2. What:
Jesus felt compassion toward the crowd of people who had been with him for three days and decided to feed them all before they journeyed home.
3. Where:
According to the previous verse (Matthew 15:29), Jesus was on a mountain near the Sea of Galilee when a multitude of people came to him.
Top of Form
4. When:
There were no timestamps in the passage for us to really know when this event took place.
Top of Form
5. Why:
Jesus's compassion for the multitude was the reason why he fed them and the reason why this miracle took place.
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6. How:
Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the four thousand by first giving thanks (blessing) for the food that was given to him by his disciples and sharing it among everyone present.
III. Interpretation
A. Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words) explain what you think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember to take into consideration that this passage includes a conversation that Jesus is having. Thus, this passage is both showing and telling us something. In this situation, the author Matthew is providing his account of the miracle he witnessed Jesus perform, which was feeding over four thousand people who had been with him for three days. Matthew aims to show us believers a couple of things: the compassion of Jesus as an example for
us and, most importantly, the power of giving thanks. Jesus gave thanks for the seven loaves of bread and for the few fish he had been given by his disciples, and miraculously, it multiplied to feed the multitude. Another message Matthew is conveying through this passage is that we have everything we need for God’s work.
B. Look again at the questions asked within the narrative. In 1 paragraph (200 words) explain the purpose of these questions to the story, as well as how the particular question(s) that Jesus asked related to his relationship with the other character(s).
In this account by Matthew of the miracle of the feeding of the four thousand by Jesus Christ, there were only two questions asked. The first question was asked by the disciples whom Jesus called when he felt compassion for the crowd that had been with them for the past three days. The disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 15:33, "Where should we get so much bread in the wilderness as to fill so great a multitude?" Essentially, they were asking Jesus how they could possibly obtain enough bread in the wilderness to feed such a large crowd of people. This question by the disciples reveals that they still didn't fully understand who Jesus was. They attempted to use their earthly reasoning and business minds to figure out how to feed all the people who had gathered and stayed with Jesus for those three days. Unbeknownst to them, the solution was already with them (Jesus). Jesus's response to this question was with the second and
final question asked in this passage. Jesus asked his disciples in Matthew 15:34, "How many loaves do you have?" From this response by Jesus, it is evident that he was not interested in reasoning out the solution because he was the solution himself. Jesus wanted to know what they had because he knew he had everything he needed for the work of God at that time.
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C. Based on your answers above, narrow down one principle from this passage. You should be able to express this principle in 1-3 sentences.
A principle that this passage teaches is the importance and power of giving thanks for what we already have.
IV. Correlation
A. How does this passage fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State what type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and explain why you believe this to be so. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
This passage can fit into any of the metanarratives of the Bible, but for me, it closely aligns with the redemption story type. The redemption metanarrative pertains to God’s plan to reconcile humanity to Himself. This overarching narrative is rooted in the immeasurable love and ever-
present compassion of God for humanity. These attributes of God are prominently displayed in Matthew's account of the feeding of the four thousand. After healing the multitude, which was a demonstration of God's love, Jesus then felt compassion for the crowd who had spent three days with Him and were about to journey home on empty stomachs.
B. How does this passage reflect other truths found in the Scriptures? State and explain at least one way that the principle of this passage can be identified elsewhere in the Bible. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length. The Bible is indeed coherent, and the truths found within it often intersect and reinforce one another. In the account of Jesus feeding the four thousand, as recorded by Matthew, a key principle emerges from the importance and power of thanksgiving. In this passage, Jesus takes the seven loaves of bread and the few fish, and before distributing them to feed over four thousand people, he first gives thanks for what he has. This act of thanksgiving precedes the miraculous multiplication of the food. The significance, power, and impact of thanksgiving are evident throughout the scriptures. For example, in the story of the ten lepers, Jesus heals all ten, but only one returns to give thanks, and Jesus commends him for his gratitude, saying, "Your faith has made you well" (Luke 17:19). This illustrates how thanksgiving not only acknowledges God's provision but also opens the door for further blessings and wholeness. Therefore, the principle of thanksgiving is a vital aspect of faith and is emphasized repeatedly in scripture, demonstrating its importance and transformative power in the lives of believers.
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C. How does this passage reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ? State and explain at least
one way that the principle of this passage identifies something of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length. This passage describes a crowd that had spent three days with Jesus and was about to travel home on empty stomachs. However, the love and compassion of God were revealed through Jesus, who gave thanks and broke bread to feed the four thousand. One of the principles displayed in this passage is love and compassion. Jesus was sent because of God’s compassion and love for us, and he demonstrated that love and compassion by feeding and also healing the multitude, as mentioned in the previous verse. The coming of Jesus is a result of the love of God,
and that love can be witnessed in this account by Matthew.
V. Application
What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application? State and explain 1 point of application for your life for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of these points should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length. A. The question of duty
The question of duty, as described in the textbook, focuses on extracting the main message of a passage and discerning what lessons one should learn or avoid from the lives of the characters or the situations described. From Matthew's account of the feeding of the four thousand, I have gleaned a profound lesson in love and compassion from Jesus. As stated in 1 John 4:20, "For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" This verse underscores the importance of demonstrating love towards others as a reflection of our love for God. It serves as a reminder that genuine love and compassion towards fellow human beings are essential expressions of our love for our Heavenly Father. Therefore, the duty I
derive from this passage is to prioritize love and compassion in my interactions with others, recognizing that it is integral to demonstrating my love for God.
B. The question of character
The question of character, as discussed in the textbook, revolves around the type of person one should aspire to become under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Upon reading the passage of The Feeding of the Four Thousand, I've gleaned valuable insights from the characters mentioned. For
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instance, from the example of Jesus, I've learned the importance of showing the love of God and being compassionate to everyone around me. Love holds immense significance to God, and as I demonstrate His love to the world, people will experience His love, and thereby, God will be glorified. Therefore, I aspire to emulate the character of Jesus by embodying love and compassion in my interactions with others, thereby reflecting God's love and bringing glory to His name.
C. The question of goals
The question of goals, as outlined in the textbook, delves into what motivates our ambitions and desires. Upon reading the passage of the feeding of the four thousand, it becomes evident that what drove Jesus to perform the miracle and feed the multitude was his profound love and compassion. Jesus didn’t perform miracles for personal praise but out of genuine care and concern for the people. Therefore, my goal should always be to act out of love and not for the sake of receiving praise or recognition. My ultimate aim should be to demonstrate God’s love to the world consistently, regardless of circumstances or personal gain.
D. The question of discernment
Discernment means being able to examine and assess a situation or thing and make a decision that aligns with God’s will and perspective. According to the textbook, the question of discernment is about gaining the ability to see things as God sees them. In Matthew's account of Jesus feeding the four thousand, we can see that Jesus was able to discern that the crowd would need food because they were going to travel home. He also had the understanding to know what to do in order to feed everyone, even when all his disciples thought that there wasn’t enough food for everyone.
VI. Conclusion
Summarize your major points and concluding thoughts here. In the passage on feeding the four thousand, Jesus teaches us many things through his actions, not just his words. There are several important biblical principles to take away and learn from, such as love, compassion, thanksgiving, and contentment. However, the main principle I gleaned
from my study of this passage is the significance, power, and impact of Thanksgiving. The power of thanksgiving is emphasized throughout scripture as a crucial tool, and this passage reaffirms that point once again.
(Place Source List from Bible Study Prep Assignment Last)
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Works Cited
Coolman, B. T. (2014, June 8). Hugh of St. Victor on Jesus wept: Compassion as ideal Humanitas
. Theological Studies. https://www.academia.edu/682572/HUGH_OF_ST_VICTOR_ON_JESUS_WEPT_COMP
ASSION_AS_IDEAL_HUMANITAS Kobia, S. (2007). WHAT'S IN A MIRACLE? FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND.
The Ecumenical Review,
59
(4), 533-536. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?
url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/whats-miracle-feeding-five-thousand/
docview/228693336/se-2
McClendon, A., & Cartwright, J. B. (2022). Approaching the New Testament: A Guide for Students. B&H Academic.
New International Version. (2011). BibleGateway.com. http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/#booklist
T., M. C. L. (2020). The inquisitive Christ: 12 engaging questions. FaithWords.
Gutierrez, B. (2016, June 15). Everyday Bible study
. Google Books. https://books.google.com/books/about/Everyday_Bible_Study.html?id=cRVYDQEACAAJ
Cousland, J. R. C. (1999). the feeding of the four thousand Gentiles in Matthew? Matthew 15:29-
39 as a test case.
Novum Testament, 41
(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1163/156853699323281883
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