Lesson+16+Essay

Jesus' world included many different kinds of people, yet He communicated effectively with all of them because He knew the culture. Wealthy, aristocratic, Hellenistic, working class, religious, or untouchable ~ He could speak with wisdom to them all. Jesus taught a kind of freedom that differed significantly from the freedom sought by Zealots and other people who lived in Galilee. His disciples and all who heard him were moved by what he said either to love more or to hate more out of the conviction of their own hearts.

A) Like other rabbi of his day, Jesus had //talmidim,// disciples who lived in a close, obedient relationship with him and who sought __to live as he lived every day__. Think of how the author of "The Bronze Bow" interpreted what being a //talmidim// might have been like. Describe how her picture of this influenced you.

B) Read Matthew 6: 2-4, 6:16-18, 23:23-31. Jesus uses the word "hypocrite" meaning "actor" many times. Vanderlaan explained how the theaters were considered by the Jews to be a pagan style of entertainment, and Jesus knew the language. This means he walked among the wealthy, the tax collectors, and the people of influence (royalty) just as easily as he interacted with the poor and sick masses. Give two examples of how we can use this knowledge of Jesus being wise in different "circles" of society to help us in our own Christian walk/witness. In other words, how are you above reproach as you mingle with your different social groups? Are you a different person when you are with your teammates than your friends? Your youth group? Your family? Are you a "hypocrite"?

C) Pick your favorite part of the 1 Corinthians 13 chapter on love. Please tell which part of this is the most difficult to keep in mind when you are communicating with your friends at school. How about when you communicate with your family? Is this our standard of how to love?

D) Please remember to include an intro paragraph and a conclusion paragraph, and to cite your sources properly.