HRE2O1 - Religion UNIT 2 Notes
Unit 2: Jesus’ Teaching Ministry
Chapter 1: Receptance and the Kingdom of God
Jesus Begins His Ministry
According to John’s gospel, Jesus began his ministry (mission of
service) by first gathering disciples. The synoptics, on the other hand, depict
Jesus beginning his teaching ministry on his own before gathering disciples.
Jesus’ overall mission was to teach, gather followers, redeem humanity, and
reunite everyone to God through a final resurrection. The final resurrection is
the only part that remains to be fulfilled.
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus picked up where John the
Baptist left off: he called people to repent because the Kingdom of God was
near. But unlike John, there is no account of Jesus baptizing anyone.
Repentance
Repentance is the process of feeling guilt, admitting guilt and making
a conscious commitment to avoid sin. We all go through the process of
repentance when we commit a sin so distasteful that the only way to find
peace is to confess to the sin and seek forgiveness. But we also know that it is
not easy to avoid repeating the same sin and it would be great if someone or
something could help us to avoid repeating our errors. The reason Jesus
called people to repent was so they would acknowledge their struggle to be
righteous and open up themselves to the help he could offer. The word
translated as “repentance” in the Greek New Testament is metanoia (change
of mind upon reflection). It is perhaps better than the English word
“repentance” because it is less of an accusation (“Repent [you filthy sinner]”)
and more of an invitation (“Think about your direction in life. If you don’t like
it, change it for the better!”)
The Kingdom of God
The call to repentance was closely connected to the arrival of the
Kingdom of God. (Matthew prefers the expression, “Kingdom of Heaven” in his
, gospel.) The Kingdom of God is not a physical kingdom; rather, it is any place
in which - or any person in whom - God has a home. In his time on earth,
Jesus, the Son of God, was the Kingdom of God personified. By his words and
actions, he led others to invite God into their lives and make a home there. So
when John the Baptists and Jesus declare that “the Kingdom of God is at
hand [near],” they mean that Jesus is here and God’s mercy and justice are
about to be revealed.
Activity
1. What does euangelion mean?
a. “Good News” or “Gospel”
b. Euangelion is a Greek word used in the New Testament which
translates to “Good News” or “Gospel.” It is similar to the word
Godspell.
c. Eu means good, Angelion means the message
d. Euangelion (Lexical form) [noun] – is a noun that is usually
translated Gospel but should probably be referred to and
translated as the good news because it is what the word literally
means. The word gospel is laden with different religious and
theological meanings throughout Church history.
2. Give two reasons why the Kingdom of God is an “upside-down
kingdom.”
a. First, the greatest people in the Kingdom of Heaven are the poor,
humble, and weak. Those who love and serve the poor. The poor
in spirit and those persecuted for righteousness’ sake are part of
the Kingdom of Heaven. Second, when one responds to evil by
forgiving and loving their enemies, as well as seeking peace,
theirs is the Kingdom of God.
b. Jesus said the greatest person in God’s kingdom was the weakest.
The one who loves and who serves the poor. And he said that you
live under God’s reign when you respond to evil by loving your
enemies and forgiving them and seeking peace.
3. Is the Kingdom of God truly upside down or is the “Human Kingdom”
actually upside down? Give three reasons for your answer.
a. The Human Kingdom is upside down as God created man to help
each other out and equality should prevail. As humans have
created levels of power, people have been greedy and prioritized
other things. Tyranny, jealousy, and greed do not make a person
Unit 2: Jesus’ Teaching Ministry
Chapter 1: Receptance and the Kingdom of God
Jesus Begins His Ministry
According to John’s gospel, Jesus began his ministry (mission of
service) by first gathering disciples. The synoptics, on the other hand, depict
Jesus beginning his teaching ministry on his own before gathering disciples.
Jesus’ overall mission was to teach, gather followers, redeem humanity, and
reunite everyone to God through a final resurrection. The final resurrection is
the only part that remains to be fulfilled.
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus picked up where John the
Baptist left off: he called people to repent because the Kingdom of God was
near. But unlike John, there is no account of Jesus baptizing anyone.
Repentance
Repentance is the process of feeling guilt, admitting guilt and making
a conscious commitment to avoid sin. We all go through the process of
repentance when we commit a sin so distasteful that the only way to find
peace is to confess to the sin and seek forgiveness. But we also know that it is
not easy to avoid repeating the same sin and it would be great if someone or
something could help us to avoid repeating our errors. The reason Jesus
called people to repent was so they would acknowledge their struggle to be
righteous and open up themselves to the help he could offer. The word
translated as “repentance” in the Greek New Testament is metanoia (change
of mind upon reflection). It is perhaps better than the English word
“repentance” because it is less of an accusation (“Repent [you filthy sinner]”)
and more of an invitation (“Think about your direction in life. If you don’t like
it, change it for the better!”)
The Kingdom of God
The call to repentance was closely connected to the arrival of the
Kingdom of God. (Matthew prefers the expression, “Kingdom of Heaven” in his
, gospel.) The Kingdom of God is not a physical kingdom; rather, it is any place
in which - or any person in whom - God has a home. In his time on earth,
Jesus, the Son of God, was the Kingdom of God personified. By his words and
actions, he led others to invite God into their lives and make a home there. So
when John the Baptists and Jesus declare that “the Kingdom of God is at
hand [near],” they mean that Jesus is here and God’s mercy and justice are
about to be revealed.
Activity
1. What does euangelion mean?
a. “Good News” or “Gospel”
b. Euangelion is a Greek word used in the New Testament which
translates to “Good News” or “Gospel.” It is similar to the word
Godspell.
c. Eu means good, Angelion means the message
d. Euangelion (Lexical form) [noun] – is a noun that is usually
translated Gospel but should probably be referred to and
translated as the good news because it is what the word literally
means. The word gospel is laden with different religious and
theological meanings throughout Church history.
2. Give two reasons why the Kingdom of God is an “upside-down
kingdom.”
a. First, the greatest people in the Kingdom of Heaven are the poor,
humble, and weak. Those who love and serve the poor. The poor
in spirit and those persecuted for righteousness’ sake are part of
the Kingdom of Heaven. Second, when one responds to evil by
forgiving and loving their enemies, as well as seeking peace,
theirs is the Kingdom of God.
b. Jesus said the greatest person in God’s kingdom was the weakest.
The one who loves and who serves the poor. And he said that you
live under God’s reign when you respond to evil by loving your
enemies and forgiving them and seeking peace.
3. Is the Kingdom of God truly upside down or is the “Human Kingdom”
actually upside down? Give three reasons for your answer.
a. The Human Kingdom is upside down as God created man to help
each other out and equality should prevail. As humans have
created levels of power, people have been greedy and prioritized
other things. Tyranny, jealousy, and greed do not make a person
