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New Testament .
Fall 2011 . Instructor: The Rev. Adam Greene (agreene@ehshouston.org)
Why do we study the New Testament?...
… to be well-educated: the stories of the New Testament have profoundly influenced our culture. If you do
not know the stories, you will not understand references to them in literature, art, music, or even everyday
conversation. If you do not know the stories, you will miss out on understanding something significant
about many of the people you will live, work, and play with throughout your life.
… to increase our faith and knowledge of God: whether we are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist or any
other tradition, by exploring more deeply our own and other traditions beliefs, we can increase our own
faith by answering (or trying to answer!) some of the really tough questions that we encounter in Scripture.
Together, we will explore the stories of the New Testament. We will look at
them…
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from a factual perspective: what happened in the story, who were the characters, and where does this story
fit into the larger story?
from an historical perspective: what was happening in the immediate world at the time, and how does the
historical context inform us about the events of the story?
from a thematic perspective: what thematic anchors from our Old Testament studies do we see in the
story?
from a theological perspective: how does the story inform us about the Christian understanding of God,
and how might this story resonate with other stories?
Every time we read one of these stories, we will see something new in it that we’ve never seen before. You
will notice things that I may have never considered. This will be an adventure for us all!
To be successful in this class…
>>> ENGAGE – I do not have all the answers! We will learn from each
other. Much of the class will be “case study” method, meaning that you and
your team will help teach the class…
…Homework assignments should be completed on time. There will be Bible reading assignments,
worksheets, exegesis (interpretation) papers and presentations, and a research paper.
… Class participation should be regular and should demonstrate that you are attentive and engaged in
the discussion. It should also demonstrate that you have completed your homework. If you have questions
or ideas, share them.
… Prepare for your quizzes, tests, and the final exam. Seek me out with questions or for extra
help.
Grading:
Class Participation Tests & Quizzes Projects & Research Paper Final Exam -
25%
30%
30%
15%
New Testament Syllabus, Fall 2011
(subject to change)
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August 16-19
Aug 19
Unit 0: Review of Old Testament & preview of New Testament
Team Presentations – Pharisees, Sadducees, and the other “sects”
August 22-26
August 26
Unit 1: The Nativity: Matthew, Luke, & John
Test on the Nativity Stories
August 29-Sept 2
Sept 32
Unit 2: Jesus’ Ministry Part 1
Team Presentations
Sept 6-9
Sept 9
Jesus’ Ministry Part 2
Test on Ministry
Sept 12-16
Sept 16
Unit 3: Sermon on the Mount
Exegesis paper on Sermon on the Mount
Sept 19-23
Sept 23
Unit 4: Jesus’ Teachings
Team Presentations on Jesus’ Teachings
Sept 26-30
Sep 30
Unit 5: The Kingdom of God
Test on Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ Teachings and Kingdom of God
Oct 3-21
Oct 21
Unit 6: The Crucifixion
Project on The Crucifixion due
Oct 24-28
Oct 28
Unit 7: The Resurrection
Exegesis paper on The Resurrection
Oct 31- Nov 4
Nov 4
Unit 8: The Holy Spirit
Test on Holy Spirit
Nov 7-11
Unit 9: The Mission of the Church
Nov 14-18
Nov 18
Unit 10: The Epistles: introduction & begin sermons
Grandparents’ Day – Team presentations on the Epistles
Nov 28-Dec 2
The Epistles: continue to work on sermons
Dec 5-6
Sermon presentations
Dec 8-10
Review for Exam
** Final exam: December 12, 12:30pm**