1

JESUS

AND

THE

GOSPELS

Warren G Kunkle III

Master Catechist

2

Form Small Groups of 6 to 8

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (Come Holy Spirit):

ALL:

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be createdAnd You shall renew the face of the earth.

TEAM: Let us pray.O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy the Spirit’s consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

3

Chose a leader for your group and the members of the group shares with the leader why they were chosen.

When this is done please indicate to a team member that you have completed this step.

4

• On the approximately 7 foot banner paper, ask the leader to lie down on the paper so that you may trace the leaders image on to the banner paper.

• In the lower right hand corner (near the feet) write the leader’s name in CAPITAL LETTERS. Below it, write briefly why the leader was chosen and than the names of the remaining members of your group.

•When this is done please indicate to a team member that you have completed this step.

5

As this process unfolds, work only in the assigned areas and stay within the lines. Try as much as possible to completely fill the assigned areas with pictures or words. One idea is to glue all the pictures first, than glue the words on top of the pictures.

TIME IS LIMITED – Work together as a group!!!

AREA #1 – The Head and Neck:

Apply images and words in this area that best represents who your groups image of Jesus is today.

On the outside of the areas, write quotations in your own words about what Jesus would say about this image of

himself as represented in your collage.

JC Superstar Overture (4:46) The Passion…Olive G (1:55)

6

St. Mark’s Gospel • The earliest among the Gospels –65 – 70 AD written for Roman followers with pagan backgrounds.

• Author uncertain – but perhaps John Mark mentioned three times in Acts and cousin of Barnabas

• Mark’s Jesus is a man in a hurry.

• Mark is only 16 chapters and can be read in one setting, without reading footnotes and cross references.

•Jesus is earthy and easy to relate to and approachable who is very much most human, like us.

• His range of emotion includes being moved by pity, being angered and grieved, troubled and distressed, sorrowful even unto death.

7

As this process unfolds, work only in the assigned areas and stay within the lines. Try as much as possible to completely fill the assigned areas with pictures or words. One idea is to glue all the pictures first, than glue the words on top of the pictures.

TIME IS LIMITED – Work together as a group!!!

AREA #2 – Below the Neck and above the stomach:

Apply images and words in this area that best represents what would be closest to Jesus’ heart today.

On the outside of the areas, write quotations in your own words about what Jesus would say about matters closest

to his heart as represented in your collage.

Godspell – Prepare (2:04)

8

St. Mathew's Gospel • Written approximately 80 AD for a Jewish

audience. • Jesus is without a doubt the long-awaited

Messiah, the fulfillment of all that is written in the Hebrew Scriptures.

• Jesus appears as the new Moses.• Jesus’ family tree includes the patriarchs of

Judaism, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; and makes Joseph’s lineage central in the infancy narrative.

• Matthew’s Gospel is more of a thoughtful Gospel, with Jesus reflecting on what he says, emphasizing the teaching are rabbinic qualities.

• Five principal teaching areas:

1. The Sermon on the Mount2. The missionary discourses3. The parable discourses4. The church community discourses5. The Last Things - Discourses

9

As this process unfolds, work only in the assigned areas and stay within the lines. Try as much as possible to completely fill the assigned areas with pictures or words. One idea is to glue all the pictures first, than glue the words on top of the pictures.

TIME IS LIMITED – Work together as a group!!!

AREA #3 – In the area of the stomach:

Apply images and words in this area that best represents what would upset, sadden or anger Jesus today.

On the outside of the areas, write quotations in your own words about what Jesus would say about these issues which would upset him as represented in your collage.

Leann Rimes - I Need You (3:45)Jesus – The Epic Mini-series – 2000

10

St. Luke’s Gospel • Written approximately at approximately the

same time period of Matthew, 80 AD.• Luke opens his Gospel by disclosing that he

is not an eyewitness.• Luke was a Greek convert and wrote to

Gentile audiences. • The Gospel of St. Luke provides us a

compelling portrait; focusing on a compassionate and forgiving Jesus.

• Among the titles given to Luke’s account include:

1 - The Gospel of Women2 – The Gospel of the Holy Spirit3 – The Gospel of Universal Salvation4 – The Gospel of Mercy & Forgiveness

• Luke’s Gospel at his climax has Jesus saying these words from the Cross:

“Father forgive them …”“This day you will be with me …”

• Luke’s Gospel tones down Mark’s Gospel with an aura of kindness and peace even in Jesus’ crucifixion and death.

11

As this process unfolds, work only in the assigned areas and stay within the lines. Try as much as possible to completely fill the assigned areas with pictures or words. One idea is to glue all the pictures first, than glue the words on top of the pictures.

TIME IS LIMITED – Work together as a group!!!

AREA #4 – In the area of the arms (right and left):

Apply images and words in this area that best represents ways in which Jesus reveals his presence in our society.

On the outside of the areas, write quotations in your own words about what Jesus would say about

his presence amongst us in our society.

Jesus of Nazareth – Zeffirelli (2:03)

12

St. John’s Gospel• The first three Gospels, are seen together and are

referred to as “Synoptic Gospels”.

• Jesus in John’s Gospel is noble, majestic & divine.

• From the very beginning, Jesus is of divine origin; but also makes it clear that his humanity is undeniable.

• Jesus relates with individuals - Nicodemus, the Samaritan women, the man born blind and Lazarus.

• The relationship between Jesus and his Father is returned to over and over again … “Anyone who has seen me has seen my Father” (Jn14:9).

• Jesus is in control of the situation at all times, even in his death.

• The I AM statements – clearly identifying with the name given by God to Moses in the burning bush.

• The dignity of Jesus is present in his trial and death, even to the point when he says, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30)

13

As this process unfolds, work only in the assigned areas and stay within the lines. Try as much as possible to completely fill the assigned areas with pictures or words. One idea is to glue all the pictures first, than glue the words on top of the pictures.

TIME IS LIMITED – Work together as a group!!!

AREA #5 – In the area of the legs (right and left):

Apply images and words in this area that best represents the kinds of activities Jesus would be involved in today.

On the outside of the areas, write quotations in your own words about what Jesus would say about

the activities he would most be involved in today.

When completed, hang poster on wall for viewing. Ask a member of the team for assistance.

Awesome God – Rich Mullins (3:06)

14

LARGE GROUP SHARING OF COLLAGES

You are invited to walk around the room and view each groups collage – notice any similarities or differences –is there a common theme or message?

After you have briefly viewed each poster

return to your small group.

Each small group leader will than share

one but no more than twoimportant aspects as represented in their groups collage.

15

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

With your small group, write a Gospel narrative that is relevant to your groups image of Jesus Christ today and speaks to your community’s encounter with Jesus.

16

Criteria for the Presentation of the Gospel Message(General Directory for Catechesis, August 15, 1997)

• Christocentricity – The Message centers on the person of Jesus Christ;

• Proclamation of the Good News of the Kingdom of God - centered on the gift of Salvation and implies a message of liberation;

•The ecclesial character of the message reflects its historic nature because of catechesis – as with all evangelization – is realized within “the time of the Church”;

•The Gospel message seeks inculturation because the Good news is destined for all peoples … the Gospel message is presented in its integrity and purity;

•The Gospel message is a comprehensive message, it its own hierarchy of truth … which converts to a profoundly meaningful event for the human person