Can you think of examples from the scriptures showing how racial hatred and cultural differences can be overcome?
One example is the mission of the sons of Mosiah to the Lamanites; see Alma 17— Have students find Samaria on Bible map Ask: Why was there such intense dislike between Jews and Samaritans? Ask the students to read the following scripture passages and tell how they apply to the discussion:. Luke —37 In the parable of the good Samaritan, a priest and a Levite pass by a man who has been beaten and robbed, but a Samaritan stops and helps.
His disciples were surprised that He talked with her. Help students understand how Jesus Christ provides the way and the example for overcoming divisions between people. Ask: Why are there so many different churches and religious beliefs in the world today? Among the Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus were the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes.
To help students understand the differences between these groups, give each student a copy of the following handout with the answers blank. Have them use their Bible Dictionaries to identify which group each definition describes.
S They formed the Jewish aristocracy. Sc These were the lawyers among the ancient Jews. P They upheld the authority of oral tradition as equal with scripture. S This group was small in numbers but very powerful. P These people avoided contact with gentile things.
Sc They were primarily teachers. S These held to the letter of Mosaic law and rejected ancient tradition. P This group believed in the Resurrection of the body and in angels. S They did not believe in either the Resurrection or angels. S They fostered the spread of Greek culture in Israel. Sc This group interpreted the law of Moses in great detail and applied it to their time. How did Jesus Christ feel about these groups?
For the Jewish people—who were to be set apart—the coming of Greek culture represented a moral and spiritual crisis.
How were they to deal with the invading culture? They wrestled with this question up to and during the time the events of the New Testament took place. And it remains an important question we must wrestle with today. Many people objected to the persecution and rebelled, and this rebellion is known as the Maccabean revolt. Through this revolt, Jews gained independence, which lasted until 63BC, when the Romans took control—but the charged atmosphere between Jewish culture and secular Greek culture remained well into the time of the New Testament.
Rome got its start centuries before the events of the New Testament took place. Rome was founded in the eighth century BC and became a republic in the fifth century BC. Rome dominated Palestine from that point on. During a struggle for power, Julius Caesar was assassinated, and his adoptive son, Octavian, took control. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. A later emperor, Tiberius, ruled during the time of Jesus ministry.
And Nero ruled during the ministry of both Paul and Peter. If we rewind the clock back to the Maccabean period, we see the Jewish rulers becoming more and more corrupt. The early supporters of these rulers turned against them, and became known as the Pharisees.
Those who remained supportive became the Sadducees. They were high-ranking priests and aristocratic laymen centered in Jerusalem. Herod was a clever politician and an efficient king—but very cruel and constantly suspicious.
He had three of his wives and three of his sons killed. Herod is best known for his building projects in Palestine, the greatest of which was the temple in Jerusalem—the site of numerous scenes from the New Testament.
Herod died in 4BC, and the Romans divided his kingdom into four parts. In Galilee, Herod Antipas ruled—where Jesus grew up and spend most of his public ministry. This just scratches the surface. Robert Gundry has taught courses on the New Testament for more than forty years. This course was developed out of his experience teaching thousands of students. Dear Hannah, Thanks for your super question. You May Also Like Bible. The Harmony of the Bible Eric Lyons.
Introduction to the Bible Dave Miller. The Old Testament Wayne Jackson.
0コメント